Facebook announced today that they are investing an additional $200 million to support Black-owned businesses and organizations in part of Facebook’s broader $1.1 billion investment in Black and diverse suppliers and communities in the US.             

From the early days of the pandemic, Facebook has been listening to small businesses and trying to do what they can to help weather the storm. Facebook also recognizes investing in the long-term success of the Black community includes supporting Black students, entrepreneurs, and Georgia causes. 

That’s why Facebook is announcing: 

• $75 million in grants of cash and ad credits to support Black-owned businesses and nonprofits that serve the Black community and $25 million in support of Black content creators. 

• A commitment to reach 2 million members of the Black and Latinx community with digital skills training to educate and train the workforce on tangible skills needed to succeed in today’s digital economy over the next 3 years.

• Awarding 100,000 scholarships to Black students working toward digital skills certifications. This is in addition to existing CodeFWD and TechPrep programs that offer resources and support to help underrepresented communities. 

• Creating a new Lift Black Voices space in Facebook to highlight stories from Black people, share educational resources, and inspire people to take action through fundraising for racial justice causes. 

• Donating $5 million ($19 each) - in honor of Juneteenth - to over 250,000 Facebook Fundraisers created for three racial justice organizations: Equal Justice Initiative, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Innocence Project.  

This is just the start, but Facebook views this as an important injection that is coming at a critical time in our nation’s history.  

More details to come about how businesses will be eligible to apply for these grants later this summer. 

This link takes you to more details: https://about.fb.com/news/2020/06/supporting-black-and-diverse-communities/