32 organizations across the U.S. receive a total of $102.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to connect families with housing and hope.
Under 1 Roof, a housing and support services nonprofit serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding counties, today announced that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are recognizing the organization with a $1.25 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This investment is the largest gift in the nonprofit’s history. Under 1 Roof is part of the eighth annual cohort of organizations across the country receiving funding from the Day 1 Families Fund to deepen their work to help every family have a safe, stable place to call home.
“I am thrilled about the opportunities these funds create. Our board is energized and united in our commitment to expand affordable housing and strengthen community programs. These resources will allow us to accelerate emergency housing assistance, invest in sustainable development projects, and deepen outreach efforts that empower families to achieve long-term stability,” said Kathy Farruya, Vice President, Board of Directors of Under 1 Roof.
Under 1 Roof will use its Day 1 Families Fund grant to serve even more families experiencing homelessness in Dallas and surrounding counties, with the goal of ensuring no child in our community sleeps outside. Specifically, Under 1 Roof plans to use this one-time grant over the next five years to continue its mission of providing housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible, and to ensure each client leaves the program with stable housing and the tools and skills to remain self-sufficient.
Under 1 Roof was identified to receive this grant by a group of national advisors who are leading advocates and bring expertise on homelessness, housing policy, and effective approaches and solutions to family homelessness.
“I was pregnant and had three young children when my relationship ended. I had nowhere to go and no family to help. I was referred to Under 1 Roof and applied for housing assistance. My case manager was the best. She worked with me to put together a plan with goals and steps to achieve stability. I went to school, received a teaching certificate, got a job, and then took a financial education program. Now I have a home, my children are thriving, and we are finishing the program. I am a little nervous about going out on my own, but I know Under 1 Roof will be there if I need guidance or a pep talk,” said Patricia, a client of Under 1 Roof.
Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $850 million to organizations serving families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Day 1 Families Fund grant recipients have tremendous flexibility to use the funds in the ways that are most impactful in their communities, making the grant a game-changer for organizations on the frontlines of the family homelessness crisis. Recipients will use their funds to support families experiencing homelessness to access critical services, regain stable housing and achieve well-being.
This year, the Fund issued a total of $102.5 million in grants to 32 organizations. The full list of awardees is available at www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund. Case studies of the impact selected grantees have made with their funds are available at https://www.bezosdayonefund.org/case-studies.
Source: Press release
