Berkeley Relief Fund Receives $250,000 Donation from Bayer as Virtual Fundraiser Starts

March 22, 2020 - Berkeley, CA. Mayor Jesse ArreguÍn announced today that Bayer, Berkeley’s largest private employer and a global leader in the life sciences, has committed to donate $250,000 to the Berkeley Relief Fund’s effort to support arts organizations, small businesses and renters who have been hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Bayer is a world leader in science and health care innovation which has already donated medicine to the U.S. as it fights COVID-19,” said ArreguÍn. “This donation is another step by Bayer at the local level to address the indirect impact of the virus.”

On March 17, 2020 the Berkeley City Council approved up to $3 million in emergency relief grants for small businesses, nonprofit arts organizations and worker rent support, with the intent to inspire broad giving from the community at large. The East Bay Community Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent for all non-governmental contributions.

“We are so grateful to Bayer for making this donation to the East Bay Community Foundation’s Berkeley Relief Fund happen so quickly,”  continued ArreguÍn. “Our business community has rallied together at this historic moment, and Bayer’s generosity is remarkable. They have been a reliable partner to the community for more than 25 years, so I am not surprised that they are stepping up to help.”

The community – businesses and individuals – are invited to join the City and Bayer in contributing to the Berkeley Relief Fund. An online event to mark the launch of the Fund took place today at 3pm, hosted by Mayor ArreguÍn and bestselling author Michael Lewis. The event featured local businesses and residents impacted by the economic fallout caused by COVID-19, and included remarks from former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and Congressmember Barbara Lee. 

For more information on how you can donate go to www.berkeleyrelieffund.org.