Walt Disney Co. pledges $5M to support organizations that advance social justice
The Walt Disney Company has pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice.
The pledge includes a $2 million donation to the NAACP to further its longstanding work promoting social justice by eliminating disparities and racial discrimination through advocacy and education programs.
“The killing of George Floyd has forced our nation to once again confront the long history of injustice that black people in America have suffered, and it is critical that we stand together, speak out and do everything in our power to ensure that acts of racism and violence are never tolerated,” Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company said in a news release. “This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.”
Today’s pledge is part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice. For many years, Disney has worked closely with groups that advocate for and empower communities of color, including the NAACP, whose mission is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race. The Company has also previously provided millions of dollars in grants to help students from underrepresented groups make the dream of higher education a reality, including $2.5 million to the United Negro College Fund.
In addition, through the Disney Employee Matching Gifts program, employees are able to increase their impact in their communities by donating to eligible organizations, with the Company matching those gifts.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can find 100 ways you can fight racism with this extensive list from USA Today. If you would like to donate here are some ideas:
- George Floyd’s family has started a GoFundMe to cover funeral and burial costs; counseling services; legal fees; and continued care for his children.
- The NAACP, which supports racial justice through advocacy, litigation, and education.
- Black Lives Matter is an organization with the mission statement of bringing justice, freedom and healing to black people across the globe.
- Black Table Arts helps “black communities through the arts, towards better black futures,” according to its website. They accept donations and also have merchandise for sale.
- Black Girls Code is a nonprofit organization offers workshops, programs and other access to black girls interested in learning about computer programming. They accept donations and also have a signup for volunteers.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center helps “win justice on behalf of those who have no other champion, expose and fight the hate that thrives in our country, and provide tolerance education materials free of charge to schools across our nation.”
