Updated: 04/15/2020 – We’re all in this together. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, and it’s poised to be a rough couple of months ahead. The US government is playing their part and have announced a stimulus package to help both individuals and companies cope with the economic impacts of the coronavirus COVID-19.
This health emergency has brought companies together, and some have responded amazingly, creating support programs, grants, credits, discounts, and funds to help those who have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus.
Here are the companies in the technology industry that we’ve seen activate support programs for SMB’s, Non-Profits, Education Centers, and others in this time of need.
Facebook created its Small Business Grant Program. They are offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for 30,000 eligible SMB’s in the 30+ countries they operate. They will open applications in the coming weeks.
Facebook has also created a Business Resource Hub with documentation to help companies cope with the crisis. They have an excellent Resilience Toolkit and a Quick Action Guide.
Google’s commitment to helping those affected by this pandemic came in the form of an $800+ million support program for SMB’s, health organizations, governments, and health workers.
- $340 million in Google Ads credits will be available to SMB’s.
- $250 million in ad grants to help the World Health Organization (WHO) and more than 100 government agencies to provide critical information about preventing the spread of COVID-19
- $200 million investment fund that will support NGOs and financial institutions worldwide to offer small businesses with access to capital.
- $20 million in Google Cloud credits for academic institutions and researchers to leverage computing resources to study, research and find ways to combat -19-19.
Slack
Slack’s commitment comes in the form of supporting non-profits and organizations that are helping in critical relief efforts with free access to a Slack paid plan for three months.
Salesforce
Salesforce is providing a COVID-19 Care Response Solution, which is free access to technology for emergency response teams, care management teams, and health systems responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The solution can be deployed quickly and at no charge for six months to immediately aid those in need.
Zoom
Zoom lifted the 40-minute meeting limit on free basic accounts for K-12 schools. They also partnered with Clever to make Zoom accessible to those schools that closed. They also created a resource page with training resources.
Loom
Loom’s response was to remove the 25 video recording limit on their free plans, cut the Loom Pro $10/month price in half to $5/month, and extended all trials of Loom Pro from 14 to 30 days. Their screen recorder for Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks saw a massive spike in usage as work from home policies were enacted.
Adobe
Adobe implemented program changes to provide continued access to their products.
- Students have free, personal in-home access to Adobe Creative Cloud through May 31st, 2020.
- Acrobat PDF Services are now free through May 31st, 2020,
- Adobe Portfolio is now free for everyone through May 31st, 2020
- Marketo On-demand Subscription free through June 30th, 2020
- Magento On-demand training access free through June 30th, 2020
Zoho
Zoho’s service package Remotely, which compiles a set of applications that help you work and remain productive remotely. Their service is now free for all users until July 1st, 2020.
CXL
The CXL Institute, which provides marketing training, is offering free Growth Marketing Minidegrees to those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. They have a list of industries they accept applications from. Those accepted will have access to the Minidegree program for 12 months.
CodersLink
CodersLink, a specialized IT recruiting service, is offering 0,000 in discounts and credits to qualifying Startups and SMBs who are in need of hiring tech talent. The application process will be open on April 5th and will go until the funds allocated are exhausted.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite, the social media management software, is offering free access to their Professional plan for small businesses and non-profits through July 1st, 2020. They are also providing a free library of Hootsuite Training Videos.
Hubspot
Hubspot’s supporting small businesses in the midst of this crisis with different programs.
- They are reducing the cost of their Starter Growth Suite from $112.50/month to $50/month, available to all existing and new customers for a period of 12 months.
- They are suspending marketing email limits for the Marketing Hub Professional and Enterprise customers and increasing limits on calling to 2,000 minutes/month on their Sales and Service Hub for 90 days.
ConvertKit’s Creator Fund
ConvertKit, the email marketing service, launched a $50,000 fund called the Creator Fund to support creators in need during the pandemic. These are specific to creators that meet qualifying criteria, and the funds support Medical, Groceries, Childcare, and Rent or Mortgage expenses.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp, the marketing platform, is offering $10 million worth of service to qualifying existing small business customers who need financial support. They have a list of qualifying industries and characteristics and an application form to request funding. They are also investing up to $100M to help drive new and ongoing business for small business customers through price discounts, product upgrades, add-ons, and more.
Unbounce
Unbounce, who provides landing page solutions, is helping small businesses by providing strategy sessions with their Success Managers to support existing customers. They are also making their essential plan free for three months for healthcare, education, non-profit, and government organizations.
They are also creating and curating content useful for small businesses about remote work, crisis management, and marketing skills.
Calendly
Calendly is offering Zoom and GoToMeeting integrations to help remote workers connect, which are part of their Premium tier features, free of charge through June 2020. They will also provide free premium plans to teams working directly on COVID-19 pandemic research, response, or mitigation.
Monday
Monday is supporting NGOs during the spread of COVID-19 by offering free and complete use of their platform. They are also creating content on remote work and how to overcome communication and collaboration challenges.
ZenDesk
ZenDesk, the support platform, is using their Tech For Good program to donate free software and support to help manage volunteering, relief efforts, home assistance, and more to non-profits and community organizations impacted by the COVID-10.
Salesforce
The leading CRM Salesforce announced the release of Salesforce Care for small businesses which includes $10,000 grants to U.S. small businesses (per SMB for a total financial commitment of $5 million), free access to their CRM tool, and free resources from articles to webinars by experts to support small businesses during the coronavirus crisis.
Nytch
The local business directory/shop app, Nytch, in now available for free use to all small businesses. SMB’s can use its platform to sell their goods and services by only paying the standard Paypal processing charges. To get your business onto Nytch you most contact them by email to hello@nytch.me
Kangaroo
The intelligent security systems that can be controlled from your phone, Kangaroo, in partnership with Staples, will give a full security kit, security camera, and the premium monitoring service, all for free to small businesses, with the option of continuing with the service after 3 months. The shipment and return of the equipment are covered as well.
If you want to add your company to this list, feel free to reach out to us at content@coderslink.com
