SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The eBay Foundation
is announcing this week $10 million
in grants to support COVID-19 relief worldwide, increasing its
efforts to a total of nearly $15
million in COVID-19 related grants to date. So far in 2020,
the Foundation has tripled grantmaking from 2019; this week's
additional funding round is the largest in its history and comes at
a vital time for communities and small businesses adversely
impacted by the pandemic.
"As we navigate our 'new normal' amid COVID-19, we all hear —
and say — what an unprecedented time this is, and that is
undoubtedly true," said Allie
Ottoboni, president, eBay Foundation. "And so, we felt it
was critical to meet the moment and provide an unprecedented level
of funding from the eBay Foundation to underrepresented
entrepreneurs and small businesses who make our communities what
they are."
The additional wave of grants will be disbursed among local,
national and international organizations, including Kiva, the World
Health Organization, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC),
Start Small Think Big and ICA Fund Good Jobs. Part of the funding
also will go toward Global Give, eBay's annual employee grantmaking
program to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
"eBay has been an important partner to us over the years as
we've partnered on employee lending initiatives," said Neville Crawley, CEO of Kiva. "We are thrilled
and incredibly proud to receive this additional funding from eBay,
which comes at a crucial time for small businesses and
entrepreneurs around the world needing necessary funds due to
COVID-19."
Since the pandemic outbreak, the eBay Foundation has pledged
millions in grants to small business development nonprofits;
humanitarian and medical organizations; and emergency assistance
funds in the U.S. and abroad. The Foundation provided funds to
Hello Alice, the Opportunity Fund and Small Business Majority, all
of which are focused on supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
To help communities in Europe, the
Foundation is supporting the Italian Red Cross, Fondation de
France and Doctors Without Borders
(Medecins Sans Frontieres).
Near eBay's San Jose
headquarters, the Foundation contributed $500,000 in April to the Silicon Valley Strong
Fund that will provide financial assistance to low-income residents
who have lost wages and are facing economic hardship, as well as
$1 million to Silicon Valley
Community Foundation's regional response and nonprofit emergency
funds. And, for employees, the Foundation is matching an additional
$1 million in employee donations in
response to the pandemic.
"This incredibly generous grant from the eBay Foundation will
help save small businesses on the front lines of this unparalleled
crisis," said Jennifer DaSilva,
executive director, Start Small Think Big. "With eBay's support,
Start Small Think Big will be able to ensure that small businesses,
who are so often left behind, have critical access to the services
they need the most now."
eBay is committed to helping our local and international
communities through the pandemic. This new round of grants from the
eBay Foundation, which provide crucial support for the most
vulnerable populations impacted by the pandemic, builds on the
efforts from the company to support our sellers and small business
communities globally through programs like Up & Running.
As a purpose-driven technology company, we strive every day to
empower people and create economic opportunity. Established in
1998, the eBay Foundation was the first corporate foundation to be
endowed with pre-IPO stock. Its mission is to foster inclusive
entrepreneurship, especially in the communities where eBay's
employees live and work, and we aim to act as a catalyst for change
by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, targeting
vulnerable and marginalized groups. We leverage our resources,
platform and people to create a more equitable global economy, and
we engage eBay employees to make a greater impact in communities
around the globe. With the additional funds committed in 2020, the
Foundation will have provided nearly $60
million in grants globally.
Learn more about our mission and impact work at
ebayinc.com/impact.
About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader
including the Marketplace and Classifieds platforms. Collectively,
we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world,
empowering people and creating opportunity for all. Founded in 1995
in San Jose, California, eBay
is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for
discovering great value and unique selection. For more information
about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit
www.ebayinc.com
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SOURCE eBay Inc.