Exclusive: Google.org doubles COVID-19 donations to $100 million

In an interview, Fuller acknowledged that "there's an overwhelming need."

Overall, she said, Google.org is doling out about $1 billion over five years and looks for places where it can truly make a difference and for partnerships with organizations that can make its dollars go further, Fuller said.

With COVID-19, that's meant a range of actions:

• Cash grants for those most in need, through GiveDirectly.
• Working with organizations, such as Opportunity Finance Network, that help women-led and minority-led businesses that may have more challenges getting traditional funding.
• Support for distance learning efforts, especially those that work in languages other than English, as more than 1 billion students around the world are out of school due to the pandemic.

Google.org has already given out $50 million in grants, with $25 million going toward economic relief and recovery, $15 million to health and science and $10 million to distance learning projects. Google.org is now pledging a further $50 million, as well as 50,000 hours from Google employees to help with coronavirus-specific efforts.Y

es, but: Some have criticized Google for not opening its purse strings further. With the cash grants, for example, the company donated a portion of the target amount, relying on donations from Google employees and others to reach its goal.