The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund Announces $2 Billion Pledge to Support Homeless Families

The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has committed to pledging $2 billion to support homeless families. While no specific timeframe has been given for the distribution of the funds, it is expected to make a significant impact in addressing the issue of homelessness.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, stepped down as CEO in 2021 to focus on his other projects, including his rocket company, Blue Origin, and his philanthropic endeavors. Bezos and his partner, Lauren Sánchez, have not signed the Giving Pledge, which encourages billionaires to make similar commitments.

Flexible Grants for Greater Impact

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte has been a recipient of the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund in the past, receiving a $5 million grant in 2018. This year, they have received a second grant, allowing them to utilize the funding in more flexible ways than government grants. The funds have been used for various purposes, including the renovation of a 100-room hotel, hiring additional staff, and expanding facilities for an on-campus Boys & Girls Club.

Deronda Metz, director of social services at the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, highlighted the importance of flexible funding in a rental market that has been heavily impacted by the pandemic. With rising rents and increased costs of securing housing, the flexibility of the funds allows for higher rent payments and higher deposits, providing more options for families in need.

"When you have flexible dollars in a rental market like this, you could pay your high rent, you could pay a higher deposit," said Metz.

Here are the 38 recipients

• Abode Services, Fremont, CA — $5 million
• American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC), Minneapolis, MN — $5 million
• ARVAC Inc., Russellville, AR — $1.25 million
• BronxWorks, New York, NY — $5 million
• Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Inc., Cleveland, MS — $1.25 million
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc., Miami, FL — $5 million
• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Seattle, WA — $5 million
• Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Burlington, VT — $5 million
• Community Action Partnership of Kern, Bakersfield, CA — $5 million
• Community of Hope, Inc, Washington, DC — $3.75 million
• Council for the Homeless, Vancouver, WA — $5 million
• Crossroads Rhode Island, Providence, RI — $5 million
• Everyone Home DC, Washington, DC — $2.5 million
• Family Promise of Athens, Athens, GA — $400,000
• Family Promise of Cheyenne, Cheyenne, WY — $150,000
• Family Promise of the Triangle, Raleigh, NC — $1 million
• Family Service Lincoln, Lincoln, NE — $2.5 million
• Hogar Ruth para Mujeres Maltratadas, Inc., Vega Alta, PR — $2.5 million
• Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina, Boone, NC — $2.5 million
• Interfaith Community Services, Escondido, CA — $5 million
• Ka Mana O Na Helu, Pearl City, HI — $2.5 million
• La Fondita de Jesús, San Juan, PR — $2.5 million
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, Salem, OR — $5 million
• Native American Connections, Phoenix, AZ — $5 million
• Neighborhood Place of Puna, Puna, HI — $2.5 million
• Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority, Ukiah, CA — $2.5 million
• Primavera Foundation, Tucson, AZ — $5 million
• Shelter House, Inc, Fairfax, VA — $2.5 million
• Stewpot Community Services, Inc., Jackson, MS — $1.25 million
• Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, Fort Worth, TX — $2.5 million
• Temporary Emergency Services, Inc., Tuscaloosa, AL —$1 million
• The Salvation Army, Fort Myers Area Command, Fort Myers, FL — $2.5 million
• The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, Charlotte, NC — $3.75 million
• UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix, AZ — $5 million
• United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP), Capitol Heights, MD • $1.25 million
• United Way of Yellowstone County, Billings, MT • $2.5 million
• Wisconsin Balance of State CoC, Eau Claire, WI — $1.25 million
• YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH — $1.25 million