In the world of physical distancing and self quarantining, many have turned to the social media app TikTok for entertainment.
But when it comes to combating the coronavirus (COVID-19), TikTok's efforts don't stop there.
On Thursday, TikTok announced a series of efforts aimed at aiding those who have been affected by the pandemic and its impact. In total, TikTok will be donating $250 million to a series of initiatives, including the following:
- Health Heroes Relief Fund: A $150 million donation toward medical staffing, supplies, and hardship relief for health care workers.
- TikTok Community Relief Fund: A $40 million donation to local organizations that serve groups representative of TikTok's diverse user communities, including musicians, artists, nurses, educators, and families.
- TikTok Creative Learning Fund: $50 million in grants to educators, professional experts, and nonprofits whose real-world skills and expertise can help spread educational information and useful course material in an accessible, distance-learning format.
- Helping SMBs restart and rebuild: $100 million in ad credits to help small businesses get back on their feet once economies are able to restart normal activity.
"COVID-19 is giving all of us a new perspective, and in the face of this unprecedented crisis, we are collectively seeking moments of joy and inspiration," TikTok president Alex Zhu said in a statement. "Sometimes that means dancing and having fun where we can. Sometimes that means experiencing the comfort and warmth that comes through simple human connection in the face of adversity. The TikTok community is uplifting one another, caring for one another, and lending a hand to one another. This may be a serious time, but on TikTok it can still be joyful – and deeply inspiring.
"We are committed to playing our part in that global outpouring of mutual support and giving. We want to magnify all we are seeing across our community and translate it into concrete relief for those most affected by this crisis."
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