YouTube Commits $15M Toward Fire Relief, Will Open Production Facilities to Creators
YouTube and Google are committing $15 million to wildfire relief, pledging to help rebuild after wildfires have ripped through parts of Los Angeles, leveling neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
“Los Angeles is the heart of entertainment and storytelling and has an impact on culture all over the world. It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners and our employees call home,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan wrote in a blog post. “Like so many, we’ve been heartbroken by the devastation from the wildfires and want to do our part to support the community as it rebuilds.”
More from The Hollywood Reporter
The video platform announced its donation Wednesday. While YouTube is based in San Bruno, many of its top creators live in and have studios in and around the L.A. area. In fact, Colin & Samir, YouTube creators with more than 1.5 million followers and a big following in the creator community, revealed that both of their homes were destroyed in the fires.
To that end, Mohan wrote that the company will open its production facilities to creators that have been impacted by the disaster, and is planning events to bring the local YouTube community together.
Mohan says the $15 million will be distributed to Emergency Network Los Angeles, American Red Cross, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Institute for Nonprofit News. And he adds that Google continues to provide “accurate and timely information” about the fires via Google Maps, Google search and Waze to users.
YouTube is not the only tech company with a presence in Los Angeles to commit millions of dollars to wildfire relief. Snapchat, which was founded by Palisades native Evan Spiegel, said Monday that it had already distributed $5 million, and planned to donate more.
In an open letter titled “Dear Los Angeles, I Love You,” Spiegel wrote about growing up in the Palisades, and how his dad’s house has burned to the ground.
“Los Angeles, my heart breaks for you, and yet I love you even more,” Spiegel wrote. “This melting pot of creativity, innovation, and storytelling. This city of angels, who, covered in soot, are already beginning again.”
And of course the traditional Hollywood studios had, as of Tuesday, committed nearly $70 million in relief, with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery leading the charge with $15 million donations. Amazon and Netflix also committed $10 million each, as did Comcast.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
