Author: Kelly Carter
With over half a million people currently homeless in the United States, homelessness is a massive problem. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is one of those working to address this issue.
The CEO hopes to assist the homeless ahead of the holidays for the fifth year in a row – by donating $123 million to organizations that relocate homeless families into stable housing.
Continue reading for more information on Bezos’ support for the fight against homelessness in the United States.
Jeff Bezos Awards Grants to Combat Homelessness
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced on Tuesday via Instagram that his Day 1 Families Funds initiative, which launched in 2018, recently awarded 40 grants to organizations working to end homelessness in the United States. This donation is part of Bezos’ $2 billion pledge to fight homelessness.
According to a press release from the Fund, the latest donations totaled $123.45 million and will be distributed to organizations in 26 states, and Puerto Rico.
Among the organizations that will benefit from Bezos’ donation are:
- Salvation Army’s Denver Metro Area division
- Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona
- Hope House of Milwaukee
- Homeless Alliance, Oklahoma City
- L.A Family Housing
Jeff Bezos’ Day 1 Family Fund also contributed approximately $600,000 to Mother Nation, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, that provides healing, mentorship, and homeless prevention services. According to reports, the Bezos Family Fund has granted more than $520 million to 167 organizations over the last five years.
Amazon Founder to Give Away Billion-Dollar Fortune
This latest donation comes just a week after Bezos revealed his plans to donate the majority of his $126 billion fortune in an exclusive interview with CNN. He stated that the majority of his fortune would be used to combat climate change and to assist people working to improve social and political issues.
Furthermore, Bezos has been chastised for failing to sign the Giving Pledge, which was signed by hundreds of the world’s wealthiest individuals who intend to donate their fortunes to charitable causes. However, the CEO claims he desired a more leveraged method of donating to charity.
With his recent announcement to donate his fortune to climate change, among other causes, he may have discovered a great way to contribute that works for him.
Last week, the CEO and his partner Lauren Sanchez presented country singer Dolly Parton with a $100 million check for winning this year’s Bezos Courage and Civility Award.
Bezos announced the award in a social media video, saying that the singer had done incredible things for children and literacy, hence the award.
Similar grants have gone to Van Jones, a CNN contributor and climate advocate, and chef Jose Andres, who has used some money to make meals for Ukrainians.
The Bottom Line
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced that his Day 1 Families Fund had awarded over 40 grants to organizations fighting homelessness in the United States. Bezos is continuing to fulfill his commitment to combating homelessness by awarding grants totaling approximately $123 million in the most recent donation. The funds will provide permanent housing for homeless families in 26 states and Puerto Rico.