TikTok Commits $375 Million To Multiple COVID-19 Relief Efforts

TikTok is committed to donating $375 million to various efforts supporting those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The video-based social network pledged $250 million to frontline medical workers, educators, and local communities. Then, $25 million will go towards ads of organizations sharing essential public health information. The remaining $100 million will be in ad credits to support businesses trying to rebuild.

Focused on supporting healthcare on a local level, TikTok’s Health Heroes Relief Fund includes $150 million for staffing, supplies, and relief for medical workers. For example, in a partnership with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, TikTok gave $15 million to support hiring surge staff who can work with local governments at outbreak centers. These staff members can help manage data, communicate with communities, give clinical care and mitigating emergency responses.

TikTok’s Community Relief Fund and Creative Learning Fund are focused on rebuilding highly affected communities and families. Especially cognizant of school closing, these funds will support initiatives including creative instruction and food for families that previously relied on free lunch programs that are now unavailable due to schools shutting down.

In light of festivals, concerts and music events being cancelled or postponed, many music artists’ lives have been greatly affected. To support these music professionals, TikTok gave $2 million to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s affiliated non-profit. Currently, MusiCares is focused on providing aid to music makers and professionals impacted by the pandemic.

“We understand that these are challenging times for everyone,” TikTok President, Alex Zhu wrote in a blog post. “Alongside businesses, governments, NGOs, and ordinary people across the globe stepping up in this critical moment, we are committed to offering the very best that we can to help out humanity.”

TikTok has been part of the effort to encourage people to stay at home and use the app for entertainment. Artists like Alicia Keys have hosted at-home concerts and other livestreamed events. In addition to videos by artists and families at home, medical workers on the frontlines have used the app to share messages and complete challenges together.

Moving forward, Zhu wrote, “TikTok will be actively seeking more ways to contribute, including identifying the most effective ways to allocate these remaining funds to support ongoing relief needs,”