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Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, aren’t slowing down when it comes to fighting homelessness. This year, they’ve handed out over $8 million in grants to nonprofits in Washington, D.C.
That’s not just a number—these dollars turn into beds, safe spaces, and basic supplies for families who really need them. It’s a shot of hope for people who’ve been through too much already.
Lauren Sánchez Bezos talked about meeting a mother and her baby at a shelter supported by one of the grants. “It brought tears to my eyes seeing this little baby and seeing her flourish,” she admitted—a moment that clearly stuck with her.
All this giving is part of the ongoing Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, which keeps popping up across the country with donations aimed at homelessness and early education. It’s not a one-and-done thing—they’re sticking with it for the long haul.
Social media’s buzzing about the couple’s approach, especially the unrestricted nature of the funding. Nonprofits get to decide how to use the money, which means they can tackle urgent needs right away.
If you want more details, check out the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund news for the latest updates.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Day 1 Families Fund zeroed in on nonprofits that serve families facing homelessness. The grants target groups with a track record in housing stability, shelter access, and supportive services.
Both local and national organizations landed funding, giving them a boost to keep doing what works. The selection process? It’s pretty tough.
The Fund looks for nonprofits that have proven they can deliver stable housing and real support to homeless families. They want programs that help with both immediate shelter and long-term solutions.
Vulnerable groups—pregnant women, kids, families with disabilities—get priority. Each organization faces a detailed review, from financial health to community engagement.
Jeff Bezos put it simply: “Supporting organizations that deliver real, lasting change is the Fund’s mission.” Annual grants keep the focus on results that stick.
Washington, D.C. saw $11.25 million flow to nonprofits fighting family homelessness. Big names like Community of Hope, Friendship Place, and Harford Family House made the list.
Community of Hope zeroes in on homeless families, especially pregnant women, with shelter and health care. Friendship Place combines job training with housing resources—helping families get back on their feet.
The D.C. area has already seen an 18.1 percent drop in family homelessness, and these grants aim to keep that momentum going.
Across the country, the Fund handed out more than $102 million to 32 nonprofits in 2025. Some standouts? BronxWorks in New York, the American Indian Community Development Corporation in California, and Family Promise of Cheyenne in Wyoming.
BronxWorks works in dense urban areas, running emergency shelters and finding housing placements. The American Indian Community Development Corporation focuses on culturally sensitive housing for Native families.
Family Promise of Cheyenne helps out in rural Wyoming with temporary shelter and support. Some grantees also focus on people with disabilities and work hard to keep families together during tough transitions.
The sheer variety of groups shows the Fund’s reach—from big cities to small towns. For more on who’s getting help and how, here’s the latest reporting on Bezos giving grants to fight homelessness in the DC area.
Bezos grants have powered a wide range of homeless service providers around Washington and across the country. These funds move families and individuals from emergency shelters to stable homes.
Local nonprofits, creative partnerships, and new programs keep this work alive. Philanthropy like Bezos’s nudges bigger efforts to tackle homelessness in new directions.
The grants mostly go to organizations offering emergency and temporary shelter, plus help with finding permanent housing. In Washington, Family Promise and Family Gateway are on the front lines.
Money covers things like first-month rent, security deposits, and case management support. That means families can move out of homelessness faster.
YWCA and The Salvation Army put grants to work running shelters, serving meals, and offering counseling. Some groups, like Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority or Hogar Ruth para Mujeres Maltratadas, focus on Native American communities or women in crisis.
These specialized programs help break down barriers and get residents ready for long-term stability.
Bezos’s funding doesn’t just deliver direct aid—it encourages nonprofits, local governments, and private groups to work together. United Way affiliates and organizations like Arvac Inc. often join forces to stretch every dollar.
Lauren Sánchez keeps calling for more big, ongoing giving to tackle the root causes of homelessness. Her advocacy shines a light on tough issues like housing costs and emergency service gaps.
One thing that stands out: Bezos’s grants come with flexibility. Nonprofits can use the money where it’s needed most, which lets them adapt and build creative, lasting solutions.
Over the latest grant cycles, more than 40 organizations across 23 states landed support—Washington saw quite a few winners. Family Gateway says the funding helped dozens of families find stable housing just this year.
The impact pops up in stories from families working with Shelter Services and Community Action Partnership of Kern. Some parents finally snagged jobs and homes after grants covered things like childcare and bus fare.
Nonprofits and recipients keep sharing their journeys on social media. One mom posted, “We finally have a home thanks to this support,” which really puts a face on what these grants do.
Crossroads Rhode Island and Umom New Day Centers saw their capacity jump, too, thanks to the new funding. It’s wild how Bezos’s grants kickstart big changes in homelessness prevention across the country.
Want to dig deeper? Check out the Family Gateway announcement for more on these efforts.