Facebook Rolls Out New Features to Support Small and Local Businesses Amid Coronavirus

Joelle Goldstein

April 3, 2020 at 7:19 PM·3 min read

Facebook is continuing to help members of its community amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, the social networking site announced its plans to help small and local businesses through two new features — gift cards and fundraisers — as well as an update to its grant program.

“Given the hardships that many are experiencing right now as a result of COVID-19, it is so important that we do everything we can to help local businesses during this time,” Fidji Simo, the head of the Facebook App, said in a press release.

The new feature will give Facebook users a place to purchase digital gift cards so they can support their favorite local businesses, including restaurants, fitness studios, salons, bookshops and bakeries.

Users and business owners also have the option of creating their own personal fundraiser so that community members can support their favorite business and contribute to their operating costs.

Facebook Facebook fundraisers

In addition, Facebook is making changes to its small business grant program and said they will be providing grants to thousands of small businesses nationwide, with an emphasis on minority- and women-owned businesses.

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, spoke about the new program in a post on her Facebook page, explaining they were investing $100 million to help 30,000 small businesses in over 30 countries where their employees currently live and work.

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities, and many of the people who run these businesses are heavily affected by the crisis – especially as more and more people sensibly stay home,” she wrote. “The longer the crisis goes on, the greater the risk to small businesses and to the livelihoods of their owners and employees.”

“People across the globe are stepping up, rising to the enormous challenge in front of us. We want to do our part too,” she continued. “We’ve listened to small businesses to understand how we can best help them. We’ve heard loud and clear that financial support could enable them to keep the lights on and pay people who can’t come to work.”

Facebook Facebook’s fundraiser

Sandberg said they were also making Facebook’s Business Hub, which is a resource for their employees and health experts, accessible to all and creating virtual training sessions to support businesses.

“We want to do more. Teams across our company are working every day to help businesses. We’re looking at additional ways to host virtual trainings – and will have more to share in the coming weeks,” she wrote. “Whatever happens next, we will be working to help businesses weather this storm. Please keep safe and look out for those around you.”

Facebook’s latest announcement comes just days after the social networking site unveiled a new page called Community Help, where users can go to help their neighbors who are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED VIDEO: Pandemic’s Dr. Syra Madad Debunks Coronavirus Myths and Offers Tips for Protecting Yourself

Pandemic's Dr. Syra Madad Debunks Coronavirus Myths and Offers Tips for Protecting Yourself

Syra Madad, DHSc, MS, MCP is a Special Pathogens Expert

The new feature, which was built after Facebook saw an increase in posts about helping others, allows people to set a filter that specifies their location and mile radius, within 50 miles or less, and the option of giving or receiving help in a particular category.

As of Friday afternoon, there have been at least 272,502 cases and 7,046 deaths attributed to coronavirus in the United States, according to the New York Times.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here.

TODAY
If you purchased these potato chips in the past 8 years, you could be eligible for payment
Customers who purchased Deep River brand potato chips labeled “Non-GMO Ingredients” may be eligible for a cash payment from a class action settlement.
USA TODAY
Prepare for the coldest Artic blast: How to keep your pipes from freezing at home
As an incoming Artic blast is expected, failure to prepare can cause damage to homes and cost homeowners thousands in repairs. Here's what to do.
CNN
The survivors of recent crashes were sitting at the back of the plane. What does that tell us about airplane safety?
It’s often said that the safest place to sit in a plane is at the back — and the only survivors of the recent Azerbaijan Airlines and Jeju Air crashes were in the rear of the plane. But, say safety experts, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Reuters
Head of South Korea Yoon's security finds himself in spotlight
The man central to blocking investigators from arresting South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has come under the spotlight himself in the political crisis sparked by Yoon's brief declaration of martial law last month. Park Chong-jun, who reports directly to Yoon, was instrumental in rebuffing the investigators' attempt on Friday to serve an arrest warrant on Yoon, resulting in a six-hour standoff in Yoon's official residence. Presidential guards and military troops prevented authorities from arresting Yoon for alleged insurrection on the warrant, which is valid through Monday.
TODAY
Texas restaurant’s response goes viral after tip jar is stolen, cowboy hat left behind
Stone Oven Pizza in Wichita Falls, Texas went viral for its response to thieves stealing its tip jar and leaving a cowboy hat behind.
USA TODAY
Jimmy Carter set to lie in repose in Atlanta: See Saturday's schedule of events
Services honoring former President Jimmy Carter will begin on Jan. 4. Here's when he is scheduled to lie in repose.
USA TODAY
To revel or not to revel: In wake of terror attack, the music is back on in New Orleans
For some in New Orleans, grieving after the New Year's Day terror assault is short-lived as other priorities of making a living take hold.
USA TODAY
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's alcohol warning comes amid dietary guideline review
The federal government is conducting an every-five-year review of dietary guidelines for alcohol consumption.
USA TODAY
Is anyone deliberately tampering with our atmosphere? If so, this crew is watching
Why these scientists keep a close eye on the air way up there and will solar geoengineering help stop climate change? NOAA wants to know.
CNN
Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy legacy is far more complex – and successful – than he gets credit for
Early in his presidency, in May 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter gave a commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame that outlined a new approach to America’s role in the world: Carter said human rights should be a “fundamental tenet of our foreign policy.”
AFP
Rival camps protest as South Korea president resists arrest
Thousands of rival South Korean protesters rallied in the capital Saturday, a day after a failed attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol for imposing a short-lived martial law decree that led to his impeachment.Thousands of protesters, both for and against Yoon, gathered in front of the residence and along major roads in Seoul on Saturday -- either demanding his arrest or calling for his impeachment to be declared invalid.
Associated Press
Japanese woman who was the world's oldest person at 116 has died
Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died, an Ashiya city official said Saturday. Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
USA TODAY
Major winter storm to bring blizzard conditions this weekend; See forecast, snowfall maps
A winter storm is forecast to bring ice, snow and rain to a large portion of the country this weekend.
AFP
Volunteers clean up Bali's beach from "worst" monsoon-driven trash
Hundreds of volunteers joined a cleanup in Bali, Indonesia, Saturday as monsoon rains brought what an activist described as "the worst" waves of plastic waste to hit its tourist-favoured beaches.The Environmental NGO Sungai Watch called it "the worst" plastic waste pollution to wash ashore in Bali.
AFP
South Korea says fatal crash cockpit transcript nearly complete
South Korean investigators said Saturday they were close to finalising the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder from a fatal plane crash that left 179 people dead last week."The transcript of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is expected to be completed today, and the flight data recorder (FDR) is in the process of being prepared for transport to the United States" for analysis, South Korea's land ministry said in a statement.
NBC News
Justice Department resolves investigation of Antioch Police Department over racist texts
The Department of Justice announced on Friday it has resolved a biased policing investigation of California's Antioch Police Department, where racist texts allegedly sent by officers sparked outrage and blowback.
TODAY
Surgeon general warns about alcohol and cancer risk: What are the 'healthiest' alcoholic drinks?
The healthiest alcoholic drinks contain little sugar or fat. Nutrition experts say the healthiest alcohol to drink in moderation is light beer, champagne.
TODAY
Chick-fil-A is bringing back this frosty drink after a 5-year hiatus
Chick-fil-A is bringing back the Key Lime Frosted Lemonade after a five-year hiatus, as well as the Grilled Spicy Deluxe Sandwich, for a limited time.
NBC News
Judge rejects Jan. 6 defendant's request to attend Trump's inauguration
A judge rejected a request from a Jan. 6 defendant to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration after the man was invited by a former member of Congress, according to a court document.
CBS News
579 animals killed after fire rips through Northwest Dallas shopping center
Most of the animals died of smoke inhalation, officials said. They included birds, chickens, hamsters, dogs and cats.

Pandemic's Dr. Syra Madad Debunks Coronavirus Myths and Offers Tips for Protecting Yourself

Latest Stories