Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current circumstances facing the entertainment industry, HBO announced Friday it will redirect funds allocated for its Emmy party and “for your consideration” events to make a $1 million donation to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles.
“On behalf of Bob Greenblatt and myself, we are proud to make this contribution from HBO instead of using it for our traditional Emmy party and FYC events,” said Casey Bloys, the president of HBO Programming. “We look forward to being able to get back to the work we love.”
Greenblatt is the chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and is responsible for the overall management of HBO.
The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund is providing support to needs identified with the city as it responds to the pandemic. The fund has provided support for families and small businesses. It has also provided relief for health care workers and medical equipment as well as support for victims of domestic violence and services for the city’s homeless population.
The nonprofit organization is also distributing prepaid debit cards to tens of thousands of households throughout the city. The cards are for people who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are funded with $700, $1,100 or $1,500, depending on the size of the household applying.
The application period was open for three days in April and were restricted to Los Angeles residents.
The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has had enough funding to provide 60,000 households with the prepaid debit cards, but recent donations in addition to HBO’s could expand the program.
For more information on the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, go to mayorsfundla.org.