AT&T creates multi-million dollar fund for distance learning

AT&T has led several initiatives to support distance learning and the continuation of education for students that can no longer attend their respective schools due to the coronavirus pandemic.

AT&T providing for small businesses and distance learning

In March, AT&T created a $10 million Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund with the first $1 million going to the Khan Academy digital learning platform. An estimated 47 million students are learning from home because of school closures.

The fund is to support parents, teachers and students in digital learning while also supporting bonding opportunities for family and friends that are now isolated from each other.

The company recently devoted another $1.2 million of this fund to seven small businesses located across the country that directly support distance learning.

AT&T offers discounted rates for eLearning

Qualified schools that activate new lines on qualified data-only plans for school-issued tablets, 4G LTE-enabled laptops and hotspot devices will get wireless data service at no cost for 60 days. This deal is available through May 23.

AT&T is also funding 60 days of free access and unlimited usage of Caribu, a video-calling application that provides opportunity for family members to connect and learn together.

While the support from companies like AT&T is certainly making a difference in education, there is no doubt that the company is also hoping to promote their brand and make a profit. AT&T is encouraging schools to switch to their plans to receive free or discounted services rather than offering widespread data services.

For the most part, this philanthropic move should be a role model for other larger companies that will likely make it through this dip in the economy. However, it is wise for companies to focus on the philanthropic portion first and worry about branding and their own profit second. Frito-Lay recently released a commercial promoting philanthropy without focusing on brand recognition that AT&T might have benefited from replicating.