Aaron Rodgers gives $1M to California small businesses

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers gives $1 million to California small businesses

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/1/21

Small businesses throughout the United States and around the world have suffered devastating financial hardships and even closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is lending a helping hand via the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund that he created last month.

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A post shared by Aaron Rodgers (@aaronrodgers12)

As Rob Demovsky reported for ESPN, Rodgers has gifted more than $1 million to 80 small and locally owned businesses located in and around his hometown of Chico, Calif. Rodgers was able to notify some of the owners via video calls, and he shared reactions of those calls on his personal Instagram page:

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A post shared by Aaron Rodgers (@aaronrodgers12)

"Small, locally owned businesses are the heart and soul of a community," Rodgers said in a statement shared by Demovsky and the Packers. "In the applications and the videos, it was heart-wrenching to hear about all the obstacles facing restaurants and retail establishments. So many of them are struggling just to stay in business but remain hopeful that there's an end to this."

Restaurants and retail businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees were eligible to apply for aid from Rodgers' fund.

According to the Packers website, the North Valley Community Foundation in Chico has gathered over $2.2 million in grants for coronavirus-related relief through multiple funds.

In November 2018, Rodgers donated $1 million to help Butte County recover following a wildfire.

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