Indianapolis homeless nonprofit secures $1.25M grant from Jeff Bezos' foundation

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Jeff and Lauren Sánchez Bezos’ foundation, 'Bezos Day 1 Families Fund', gave a $1.25 million grant to the 'Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis' on Monday, December 1.

The foundation is set to use the money to expand further to house more families who are homeless in central Indiana.

Foundation thanks the Bezos for generous grant

Matt Fultz, the executive director of the 'Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis', thanked Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos, for the generous grant.

He termed the amount “life changing” for the organization as well as for the homeless families in “desperate” need for services and housing.

Fultz further said that every child deserved a home and that it was “incredible” to have a partner like the Bezos Foundation to help make that “a reality for so many Hoosiers.”

Kellie Thomas, the board president of 'Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis', also expressed gratitude toward the Bezos fund.

She said that she was "profoundly grateful" for the "transformational investment." Thomas further said that it represented more than financial aid and said that it was a "confirmation" of the foundation's vision, strategy, and the "dignity of every parent and child seeking stability and hope."

Lauren Sánchez Bezos shares 'Day 1 Families Fund’s' mission

Lauren Sánchez Bezos, along with nonprofit 'Community of Hope's' CEO, Kelly Sweeney McShane, appeared on 'Good Morning America' on Monday, December 1.

During the appearance, Jeff Bezos’s wife shared her “big news” with America. She elaborated on the 'Bezos Day 1 Families Fund’s' mission and said that it aimed to help families experiencing “temporary homelessness” off the streets.

She added that it aimed to give people in need a “stable environment” to move on in a positive direction.

While speaking of the families she had met, Bezos said that it “really impacted” her to know their stories.

She recalled meeting a woman and her infant, and said that 'Community of Hope' gave them a bed, sheets, and a locked door. She said it “brought tears” to Lauren’s eyes. 

Lauren Sánchez claims ‘more than $100 million’ given in 2025

Speaking of the Bezos grant and the previous contributions it made to the 'Community of Hope,' Sánchez said that in 2025, they had been able to give “more than $100 million.”

She added that they had been doing it since 2018 and said the funds had made a huge impact. She further said that it was “just the beginning,” noting that it was a “$2 billion commitment” and that she and Jeff Bezos were going to “continue doing it.”

Sánchez further said that she and her husband had an incredible group of advisors on the ground who knew what the communities needed. 

“We’ve been able to give to all 50 states, and they really tell us what places like Community of Hope need,” she said.