Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, has donated $150,000 to the Web Foundation to support our work to fight for a web that is safe and empowering for everyone.

The grant will allow us to raise awareness about the urgent challenge of bringing more people online as 3.5 billion people — almost half the world — remain unable to access the web or the benefits we take for granted. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has galvanised the case for universal access like never before. The crisis has starkly exposed a digital divide — most acutely experienced by women, people in poorer regions, and those living in rural and remote areas — that threatens to deepen existing inequalities. We must act now to extend the web as a lifeline to more people as quickly as possible, while also working to ensure that once people are online, they are protected from online harms and risks to their privacy.

Adrian Lovett, Web Foundation President & CEO said: 

“Craig understands the transformative power of the web first-hand. His support comes at a critical moment. Nearly half of the world is grappling with this global emergency without access to the life-changing opportunities the web can provide. We’re incredibly grateful he’s backing our work to make sure everyone, everywhere can turn to the web in this time of crisis.”

Craig Newmark said:

“The web has the power to change people’s lives for the better. But for far too many people, the web’s benefits come with too many threats to their personal data and too great a risk of online harms and abuse. That’s why I’m proud to support the Web Foundation and its work to build a web that protects our safety and respects our privacy.”

Craig Newmark Philanthropies was launched by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to drive broad civic engagement. It works to advance grassroots organisations that are “getting stuff done” in areas that include trustworthy journalism and the information ecosystem, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans and military families.

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