Facebook Provides $10 Million Matching Gift to Inspire Others to Help Fight COVID-19

Today, COVID-19 has reached nations around the world, creating uncertainty and concern. I am thankful to know that in such uncertain times, we can count on one another to come together to have an impact. In that spirit, I am pleased to share that Facebook has just announced a $10 million matching donation to our Emergency Response Fund, which is right now aimed at combating COVID-19. Importantly, Facebook is also providing a platform for their users to participate in and support the response—emphasizing we all have important roles to play in responding to COVID-19.

This week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. I know COVID-19 has us all concerned for our friends, families and communities. But we know that there is so much we can do to protect ourselves and also to support efforts that assist public health responders in helping prevent and mitigate COVID-19.

The U.S. government has recently committed substantial support to address COVID-19, and that support is absolutely essential to stop the spread. But we have learned that in a crisis government funds cannot cover all costs and needs. We all have a role to play in providing support that can provide fast, flexible funding to meet emerging needs where government funds are not able to be utilized or not available rapidly enough to meet the need.

With the help of Facebook and many other partners, we are able to provide critically-needed support to help extend the response of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as many state and local governments. This support will go toward vital response efforts, such as communications and awareness campaigns, deploying emergency staff with skills required to meet needs at the state and local level, support for those quarantined or in isolation and much more.   

We are extremely grateful for Facebook’s generosity, and the generosity of Facebook users. Make sure you like us on Facebook so you’ll know when our fundraising campaign rolls out in the coming weeks.

It’s time for all of us to unite to combat this threat!