Dave Matthews returns to Pay It Forward Live on May 28

Weekly format of the entertainment series wraps up after mobilizing 70 million viewers to support small businesses

200+ More Small Businesses to Receive COVID-19 Relief Grants

NEW YORK, May 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dave Matthews will return to Pay It Forward Live, Verizon’s weekly live streamed entertainment series in support of small businesses affected by COVID-19 for a second live performance on Thursday, May 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. Matthews kicked off the series on March 26 from his home in Seattle, where he will perform again for the final installment of the weekly version of the series. Details about how Pay It Forward Live will evolve this summer, as Verizon continues to support and provide resources for the small business community, will be announced soon. 

 

“It's very important to try and find ways to look after the businesses that you love, those people that are in your hometown, who are part of who you are,” said Dave Matthews. “Figure out a way to help those people if you can help."    



Throughout the nine weeks of the series, Pay It Forward Live has seen massive engagement, garnering more than 70 million livestream views, mobilizing each viewer to support their favorite local businesses, the soul of local communities, so they can reopen when the crisis passes. The series has featured some of the top names in music, gaming, entertainment and sports including Usher, Chance the Rapper, Janelle Monáe, Billie Eilish, Alicia Keys, Ryan Tedder, Team Penske drivers, Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Buck, Saquon Barkley, Cizzorz, Nate Hill, Pokimane, Aisha Tyler, Joe Buck, Oliver Hudson, Rusty Wallace and Lilly Singh, sharing their favorite local businesses and encouraging viewers to shop online, buy gift cards and order a meal to go.



“A magnitude of support is needed to help businesses right now,” said Diego Scotti, Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon. “We harnessed the power of more than 70 million people who came together to make a meaningful impact on their local businesses. This is a true movement and Verizon was proud to lead the way.”



The Verizon Foundation has committed up to $7.5 million in funding to small businesses nationwide across three rounds of grants through the , a national non-profit. Today, the organization announced the second round of grants from LISC’s to over 200 small business owners from across the country that will receive up to $10,000 to support their businesses. This second round of grants brings the total number of small businesses supported to over 400, helping them meet payroll, pay rent and address additional immediate operational needs.



LISC received over 170,000 applications so far to the Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund, and of the businesses receiving grants, 62 percent are women-owned, 90 percent minority-owned and 12 percent are veteran-owned. The small business grant recipients are in cities and towns nationwide, with 94 percent operating in underserved communities that have historically not had access to flexible, affordable capital.



Separately from the small business grants, Verizon will also be providing free one-year access to its premium video conferencing service to each of the small business grant recipients of LISC’s Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund to help keep these small businesses productive.



To date, the total COVID-19 crisis commitment from Verizon and Verizon Foundation stands at over $55 million in contributions and donations to nonprofits around the globe. You can find more information on Verizon’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic . 

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is celebrating its 20th year as one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $131.9 billion in 2019.  The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. 

About LISC

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $22 billion to build or rehab more than 419,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 70.3 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more, visit .

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Media contact:

Katie Magnotta

 

Bernadette Brijlall