How 15 Companies Went Above and Beyond to Help Japan

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Japan is still reeling from the massive earthquake and tsunami that rocked the country on March 11th. The disaster has the death toll at 10,000, and another 240,000 in shelters. Gathering aide for this relief is going to be massive, and the country still looks for help in various different ways. Some companies made a huge impact by donating funds, matching employees' donations, and sharing valuable equipment and resources with Japan. The outpouring of generosity from corporations has been incredible, with many finding unique ways to donated resources of all kinds. Here's how fifteen of them did it.

Western Union

Western Union created a way for people to directly donate up to $5,000 (without fees) to the Japan relief using Western Union, and the company also donated $50,000 to Mercy Corps to help. Not only that, Western Union has pledged to match donations up to $150,000 from US employees 2-to-1, and international employees 3-to-1.

Apple

Apple demonstrated its support in many different ways after the disaster. Firstly, Apple set up a donation page on iTunes that sends money straight to the Red Cross, without any fees. Later, Apple CEO Steve Jobs emailed all Apple employees worldwide offering support through their HR departments for shipping supplies to Japan. Reports have come in that an Apple store in Japan stayed open throughout the evening, allowing anyone to come in and use the computers and free wifi to contact loved ones. They also allowed Apple retail and corporate employees and their families to sleep in the Apple store, which was stocked with drinks and food.

iStockPhoto

iStockPhoto is matching donations dollar for dollar, and the donations will be going to one of three organizations that are already on the ground in Japan.

Nissan

Nissan has pledged $1 million to the relief fund, $500,000 going straight to the American Red Cross, and is matching contributions dollar for dollar for the first $500,000. More info

Disney

Disney is giving a massive $2.5 million to the American Red Cross, and is matching employee donations of up to $1 million. That's a whopping $3.5 million dollars.

MLB

Several clubs within the MLB have launched fundraising initiatives for disaster relief. Clubs include the Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres. Many clubs are matching fan donations, while front offices of others are donating six figure dollar amounts to the relief.

LivingSocial

LivingSocial, a Groupon competitor, managed to raise over $2 million dollars through their coupon site. The web company matched over a million dollars in contributions from site users.

SocialShopper

Like LivingSocial, SocialShopper was able to raise $20,000 to the American Red Cross via a coupon on their site. $10,000 of the funds were from site visitors, with SocialShopper matching the other $10,000.

Teck

A mining industry leader Teck is pitching in by donating $1 million to a few organizations on the ground in Japan. On top of the generous donation, Tech is matching employee donations up to $1.2 million dollars.

Hilton

The hotel chain is matching donations up to $250,000 through their HHonors program.

Bank of America

Bank of America has committed 100 million yen ($1.22 million USD) to the American and Japanese Red Cross organizations.

dealnews

Internet deal shopping site dealnews matched up to $25,000 of donations from site users to the Red Cross.

JPMorgan Chase

The investing giant JPMorgan Chase pledged a whopping $5 million dollars to the relief in Japan. Here's how the donation was broken down:

• $1.1 million as a direct donation
• $1 million dollars in matching to both World Vision and the American Red Cross by JPMorgan Chase employees

American Express

American Express has contributed $100,000 to the Red Cross, and is waiving merchant fees for donations to the organizations listed on USAID.

Subaru

Subaru has donated $500,000, with employees also donating over $100,000 to the cause. The parent company of Subaru Fuji Heavy Industries is donating $500,000 worth of generators, lighting units, and other supplies. In addition to those donations, Subaru has an initiative that matches Subaru dealer contributions to the American Red Cross of up to $100,000.