FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 6, 2021

CONTACT: : UniQue Webster, [email protected]

New York, NY. Today, Hollaback! has received a $300,000 grant from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to support HeartMob, a platform aimed at combating online harassment. Thanks to this funding, Hollaback! will be able to continue to update this tool to further empower both people experiencing online harassment and potential allies.

“We are so grateful for the support of Craig Newmark and his continued leadership in addressing online harassment. Through HeartMob, we’ve witnessed how powerful it is when everyday people are given the tools to turn the care they have for each other into action. We are excited to see how HeartMob can continue to change how we interact online.” said Emily May, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hollaback!. A recent program evaluation showed that 64% of users who have experienced harassment reported that the platform was very helpful or somewhat helpful in making them feel connected to, and supported by, others.

On HeartMob, individuals are able to share their stories and receive aid from a community of vetted, trustworthy bystanders who are willing to support. They can send supportive messages or help report and document abusive behavior.

“I’ve seen a lot of pointless online abuse, harassment, over the last thirty years, and it really pisses me off. I’ve been and am being targeted by professionals, and really wish HeartMob was around to minimize ongoing damage”, said Craig Newmark.

This $300,000 grant will complement the work done through a previous grant of $250,000 from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, which included the implementation of design changes to improve navigation and interactivity and the relaunch of HeartMob and the Coalition Against Online Violence’s Online Violence Response Hub as complementary tools to support women and gender-expansive journalists.

With this new grant, Hollaback! will be able to increase support for people experiencing online harassment by enhancing current features and incorporating more UX design changes based on previous and new user feedback. Hollaback! will continue research to understand journalists’ needs and how HeartMob can be adapted to better support them, and will collaborate with organizations running peer support groups for journalists. This funding will also enable the organization to create new resources and train more people for free in Bystander Intervention Online.

To learn more about HeartMob, please visit www.iheartmob.org and watch our PSA campaign.

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About Hollaback!

Hollaback! has a mission to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. We carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all. We believe we all have a role to play in disrupting harassment and building a culture where it is no longer seen as “just the price you have to pay” for being a woman, LGBTQIA+, a person of color, or any other marginalized identity. We teach people to take action, and to reach across their own identities to ally with others and establish a united front against harassment each time we witness it. For more information or how you can get involved, visit www.ihollaback.org. Follow Hollaback! on Twitter and Facebook at @ihollaback and Instagram on @ihollagram.

About Craig Newmark Philanthropies

Craig Newmark Philanthropies was created by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement. It works to advance grassroots organizations that are getting stuff done in areas that include trustworthy journalism & the information ecosystem, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans & military families. For more information, please visit: CraigNewmarkPhilanthropies.org.

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