Browns owners donate $1.5 million to COVID-19 relief funds

Cleveland Browns co-owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam will donate $1.5 million to COVID-19 relief funds in Ohio.

Through their Haslam 3 Foundation, the Haslams will provide $1 million to the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund and $500,000 to the Columbus Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund.

In addition to the Browns, the Haslams own Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC, which is why they targeted those two cities, according to a statement posted on the team’s website:

“We are humbled by the tremendous work of people around the world in their efforts to help those impacted by COVID-19 and we wanted to try to positively impact those affected in our own communities of Cleveland and Columbus. We are grateful for the individuals who are putting others before themselves and for the sacrifices they are making.”

According to the news release, the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund will support the work of public health officials as they address the outbreak. The fund will provide grants to nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties.

The Columbus Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund also assists non-profit organizations that are responding to the spread of COVID-19.

The donation by the Haslams is the latest from a member of the Browns organization. Previously quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily, pledge to match cash donations to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank:

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi donated 100,000 meals to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank: