14 DAY TRIAL // It’s not just Facebook that wants your help to fight Ebola, but also Google. Considering the massive reach each platforms have, they hope that at least some of the people roaming the Internet will agree to jump in with some cash.
Google is making things enticing for everyone involved by donating $2 (€1.6 ) for every $1 (€0.8) anyone chips in with. So far, close to $5 million (€4 million) have been pledged, out of the $7.5 million (€3.6 million) goal.
“For every dollar you give here, Google will give two dollars (until together we raise an additional $7.5 million). Your donation will go to Network for Good, a donor advised fund, and will then be evenly distributed to four nonprofits doing critical work in West Africa. Google will cover all processing fees so that 100% of your donation goes to these organizations, making a difference both on the ground and across the globe,” Google writes.
Who gets the money?
The money will be distributed towards Doctors Without Borders, who provides emergency relief to West Africa by sending trained staff, operating Ebola case management centers and delivering essential supplies. Next is International Rescue Committee, who trains local health workers on preventing infection, offering safe burials and keeping primary health facilities open.
Partners in Health is also going to get some money from this. This is an organization working with partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone to treat patients affected by Ebola, train community health workers and deliver quality care.
Lastly, Save the Children is also among the NGOs money is going to be redirected to. They help build treatment centers, training and equipping healthcare workers, and protecting children orphaned by the disease.
People can donate money without needing to have a Google Wallet active, by paying with a credit card on the Network for Good site.
Google donates, too
When Mark Zuckerberg was criticized by some when Facebook invited people to donate money for Ebola, he said that he already donated $25 million (€20 million) for this purpose, while Facebook itself was also spending millions to help provide Internet connectivity in the affected regions.
For Google, the situation is somewhat similar. This week, Google and Larry Page’s family foundation announced a $25 million (€20 million) donation to fight the global Ebola crisis. This comes on top of the $5 million (€4 million) they’re matching in donations and the processing fees they’re covering.
You can check out Google's OneToday site, the place the company set up a while back to help various charities, for more info on the donation process.
So, will you donate when Google asks you to?
