Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and wife award grants to two OKC nonprofits

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, have provided multimillion-dollar grants to two Oklahoma City nonprofits supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

City Care and City Rescue Mission will each receive a $2.5 million award from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, a major boost aimed at strengthening efforts to eradicate homelessness across the region.

Notably, for City Rescue Mission, the contribution marks the largest one-time gift in the organisation’s history. 

CEO Erin Goodin called the Amazon founder’s support “transformative,” noting that the funding will help expand family housing programmes, add diversion services, strengthen stabilisation teams, and speed up access to long-term housing solutions. 

The nonprofit currently offers emergency shelter, employment readiness programmes and life-skills training to support independent living.

Meanwhile, City Care noted that it plans to use its $2.5 million grant to scale up services in both Oklahoma City and Norman. 

The organisation aims to build long-term infrastructure that streamlines referrals, enhances wraparound support, and boosts housing stability for hundreds of families. 

It should be noted that City Care currently operates a low-barrier night shelter, affordable supportive housing units, and free shuttle services connecting vulnerable residents to essential resources.

With this latest commitment, Amazon’s philanthropic efforts continue to fuel crucial local initiatives.