Carousell donates $2m of ad inventory to non-profits helping communities during coronavirus

The focus for the funding will go to organisations across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and in the Philippines and be targeted to groups that are helping efforts to replenish the supply of food and essential health products, donations for upkeep cost, call for volunteers and other initiatives caring for families-at-risk and seniors in need.

JJ Eastwood, managing director for advertising, Carousell, said: “With COVID-19 affecting every business, we understand that non-profit organisations are facing new challenges, including limited access to volunteers and lack of donations. As Southeast Asia’s leading classifieds marketplace across eight markets, we want to mobilise our reach of tens of millions of users across our 8 markets to help these non-profit organisations in need.”

“This initiative will give non-profit organisations more visibility and offer an alternative platform for advertising that doesn’t require paying premium fees. As a C2C classified platform, Carousell has a broader vision for our community and users that transcends the current Covid-19 climate,” Eastwood continued.

Carousell already has partnerships with some charitable organisations, which will be the first to receive funding, including Singapore Red Cross, Give.Asia, Free Food for All in Singapore, Parents Without Partners in Malaysia, Habitat For Humanity in Hong Kong and Caritas Manila in the Philippines. Any other suitable charities and non-profits can apply on the Carousell website.

Many media organisations that have the resource to support smaller businesses and non-profits are starting to step up, either with funding or media support. This week Google announced an emergency fund for small or local news businesses that are struggling while trying to serve communities by reporting on the Covid-19 situation.