In a significant philanthropic announcement, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, revealed the couple is committing a major portion of their wealth to charitable causes this year. The announcement was made during an exclusive interview on ABC's Good Morning America, highlighting their ongoing commitment to tackling social issues.
Massive Grants for Homelessness Solutions
Sánchez Bezos shared that their Day 1 Family Fund, established in 2018, is distributing $102.5 million in new grants to 32 non-profit organisations across the United States in 2025. She emphasised the impact of this donation, stating, "This year, we're able to give more than $100 million -- it makes a huge impact." This initiative is a core part of their broader $2 billion commitment to philanthropy. "This is just the beginning. It's a $2 billion commitment, so we're gonna continue doing it," she added.
The couple relies on expert advice to ensure the funds are used effectively. "We have an incredible group of advisers on the ground, they know what communities need," Sánchez Bezos explained. "We've been able to give to all 50 states, and they really tell us what places like the Community of Hope in Washington, D.C., need."
2025 Beneficiaries and Grant Distribution
The foundation's eighth annual leadership awards will support groups in 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. Each organisation receives immediate funding to help families transition from streets or shelters into permanent housing and access stability services.
In a blog post, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund stated: "We are excited to announce the eighth annual Day 1 Families Fund leadership awards. These 32 recipients... will receive immediate donations totaling $102.5 million to continue their compassionate, needle-moving work."
The largest grants of $5 million each were awarded to several key organisations, including:
- Booker T. Washington Community Service Center in San Francisco, CA
- Care Resource Community Health Centers, Inc. in Miami, FL
- Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, CA
- DuPage Pads in Wheaton, IL
- Mary’s Place in Seattle, WA
The complete list of 2025 grant recipients includes:
- ACCESS Inc., Akron, OH • $1.25 million
- Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County, Tacoma, WA • $2.5 million
- Big Bend Cares, Tallahassee, FL • $5 million
- Chum, Duluth, MN • $2.5 million
- City Care, Oklahoma City, OK • $2.5 million
- City Rescue Mission, Oklahoma City, OK • $2.5 million
- Community Crisis Services, Inc., Hyattsville, MD • $5 million
- Emergency Family Assistance Association, Boulder, CO • $5 million
- Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN • $1.25 million
- Friendship Place, Washington, DC • $2.5 million
- Friendship Service Center, New Britain, CT • $2.5 million
- Harford Family House, Aberdeen, MD • $1.25 million
- Hermanos de la Calle, Key Biscayne, FL • $1.25 million
- Hope Harbor, Grand Island, NE • $1.25 million
- Housing Families, Malden, MA • $5 million
- KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Inc., Gray, KY • $5 million
- LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc., La Plata, MD • $2.5 million
- New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter, New Orleans, LA • $1.25 million
- Residential Youth Services & Empowerment, Honolulu, HI • $2.5 million
- St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, Atlanta, GA • $5 million
- The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, Seaside, CA • $2.5 million
- The Kitchen, Inc., Springfield, MO • $2.5 million
- Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Mvn'-dvn (Housing Division), Smith River, CA • $1.25 million
- Under 1 Roof, Dallas, TX • $1.25 million
- United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Milwaukee, WI • $5 million
- WestCare Pacific Islands, Inc., Hagatna, Guam • $2.5 million
- YMCA of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH • $5 million
A Growing Philanthropic Legacy
This year's donation follows the pattern of substantial giving from the Bezos family. In 2024, the foundation granted $110.5 million to 40 non-profit groups across 23 states, indicating a sustained and strategic focus on homelessness.
Jeff Bezos, the co-founder and chairman of Amazon, remains one of the world's wealthiest individuals. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $245.3 billion, making him the fourth-richest person globally. He trails behind Larry Ellison ($252 billion), Larry Page ($259 billion), and Elon Musk ($480.8 billion). The Bezos family's latest philanthropic move underscores a growing trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals to address pressing societal challenges through structured, large-scale giving.
