AppLovin Cares: How We Gave Back in 2020

If there was ever a time that needed support, donation, and ways to give back, 2020 was it. This year marked a historic time for all of us, from grappling with a worldwide pandemic to record-breaking forest fires in California. 

In response, AppLovin Cares increased our presence in our local and global communities. This was our goal when we started the year, and we achieved it with strong participation from our employees, Lion Studios, and Partner Studios.  

Here’s a look back at some of the ways that we were able to serve our communities and help in this year of crisis. 

In response to COVID-19

Earlier this year, no one could forget the scarcity of masks, goggles, and personal protective equipment (PPE). With the goal of keeping our frontline hospital workers safe, AppLovin Cares donated 15,000 masks to hospitals across America. 

Our partner studio Belka Games donated to Minsk City Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, which provides vital research and support for those fighting COVID-19. Funds went towards providing PPE for staff and funding for test systems and other essential supplies.

In addition to helping front-line workers, AppLovin Cares took part in strengthening educational needs for low-income students by being a Community Builder sponsor. We raised over $20,000 for Minds Matter San Francisco to help the organization transition their coursework digitally for students. As remote learning became the new norm, educational access became increasingly difficult for low-income students and families. Helping these students ensures they have proper access to continue to learn and thrive during these challenging times. 

Natural disasters

The California wildfires were devastating, wiping out over 100 million acres of land in California. With over 9,279 fires burning across the state, this year’s devastation made it the largest recorded fire in the state’s history. 

The disaster prompted AppLovin Cares’ alliance with the American Red Cross Ready 365 Giving Program, a corporate partnership that provides lifesaving services to those in need or who face emergencies. 

We quickly raised funds to help those who were directly impacted by the wildfires. We raised over $13,000 through AppLovin employee contributions and company matching. 

Helping to fight hunger

Lion Studios also gave back to organizations including San Francisco Unified School District, Share Our Strength (mission: to end poverty and hunger in America), Alameda Food Bank, Eat Learn Play Foundation (goal: to end childhood hunger), and Feeding America. 

PeopleFun donated to the North Texas Food Bank and Get Shift Done to provide food for those in need. The donation also helped pay jobless individuals from the hospitality industry to work at local nonprofits and charities. 

AppLovin Cares collaborated with our People & Places team by sourcing nonprofit organizations that would benefit from meal donations. AppLovin’s chef embarked on an initiative with our internal culinary team to prepare, cook, and donate hot meals to those in need.

A worthy tech donation

Earlier this year after AppLovin acquired Machine Zone, we realized we had an overflow of laptops, monitors, TVs, and tablets in the office. We donated the equipment to Oakland-based nonprofit, Gameheads, which supports education for low-income youth in software programming and technology with the goal of establishing careers in these fields. 

We donated 100 laptops, tablets, and other accessories to help provide the necessary equipment and supplies. 

Gameheads’ Board Chair, Alfonso Hooker, expressed his gratitude, saying, ”With AppLovin’s donation, we can grow and extend and grow our course offerings and align more kids with computers.”

Supporting worthy causes overseas: RiseUp Malawi

Taking AppLovin Cares internationally, we teamed up with RiseUp Malawi to provide a donation of $10,000 to support the initial construction costs for the Kudziwa Center for Knowledge. Kudziwa, which means knowledge, focuses on helping at-risk children and youth in the Mangochi region of Malawi. It’s the first of its kind in the area and will host educational programs. 

Megan Mathis, Founder, RiseUp Malawi, explained the benefits of the partnership, saying “AppLovin Cares has been a game-changer for our children and their families in rural Malawi. In 2020, we partnered with AppLovin Cares to fund a community building that now houses 150 children in our afterschool program.” 

AppLovin Cares donated an additional $5,000 over the summer to fund the center’s rooftop solar panels. Megan added, “The sustainable structure is equipped with a full solar system to function outside of Malawi’s unreliable electrical grid. This building is also a space for income-generating opportunities for the larger community. I really admire that AppLovin Cares has made social responsibility a company priority and as result, vulnerable communities around the world are benefitting immensely.” 

Supporting causes for social justice: Black Lives Matter

AppLovin Cares recognized the social movement happening in our country and world. To promote social healing and change, we donated $30,000 to five organizations in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. These include Ella Baker Center of Human Rights, The Greenlining Institute, Equal Justice Initiative, The Bail Project, and UNCF.

What are we striving for next year?

We now have over 115 members in our growing organization and hope to increase AppLovin’s team involvement. 

Tyler Kent, who is a part of the steering committee expressed his desire for AppLovin Cares to grow our footprint in giving. “In 2020 we proved that we could stay active with giving back. In 2021, I hope we continue to adapt and innovate the way we engage with our members so they can better connect with the people and organizations we support.”

The new year will bring new opportunities for AppLovin Cares to volunteer, donate, and support those in need. Our goal for 2021 is to continue to stay involved and find new and creative ways to meaningfully give back to our communities.  

Learn more about AppLovin Cares.