40 organizations across the U.S. receive a total of $110.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to help end homelessness for families

San Francisco, CA – (November 20, 2024): Catholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco (Catholic Charities San Francisco), one of the largest and most comprehensive human service agencies in Northern California, today announced that it has received a $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This donation is the largest gift in the organization’s history. This is the seventh year that the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded grants to organizations across the country that are leading the way to move the needle on family homelessness with the goal of ensuring that no child sleeps outside.

“This generous grant allows Catholic Charities of San Francisco (CCSF) to expand its work and serve the most vulnerable families in our community,” said Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D, chief executive officer of CCSF. “Every person is worthy of dignity and compassion, and all families deserve access to safe housing and critical services. The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant will make an immediate and lasting impact for families experiencing homelessness in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Together, we are part of the solution, strengthening families and serving everyone with respect and love.”

Family homelessness in the U.S. rose dramatically from 2022 to 2023, and families now represent more than 28 percent of the country’s homeless population, according to a 2024 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. With its one-time Day 1 Families Fund grant, CCSF will work to reverse this national trend by serving families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo Counties.

Specifically, CCSF plans to use its funds to expand its Pathways Continuum of Care for Homeless Families by increasing outreach capacity, extending service hours and attending community events, allowing CCSF to connect with more families and provide the support they need. Funding would enhance shelter and emergency support access, help families secure stable housing and provide wraparound support such as housing assistance, childcare, food and access to critical services, including healthcare and mental health support.

A group of national advisors who are leading experts on family homelessness and its solutions, including

the intersection of homelessness and housing policy, child welfare, racial equity and service provision,

identified the organizations selected for funding.

Since 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 248 grants totaling nearly $750 million to organizations serving families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The grants are uniquely flexible and enable organizations to support families experiencing homelessness—including those who are unsheltered or staying in shelters—to regain safe, stable housing and achieve well-being.

This year, the Fund issued a total of $110.5 million in grants to 40 organizations, and for the first time, nonprofits in Kansas and New Jersey are among the awardees. The other organizations receiving grants in California are: 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic, Arcata House Partnership, Homeward Bound of Marin, Hope Solutions, Jenesse Center and My Sister’s House. The full list of awardees is available at bezosdayonefund.org/day1familiesfund.

About Catholic Charities San Francisco

Catholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco reaches more than 100,000 people annually in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. We are an integral part of our communities, playing a vital role in keeping our neighborhoods diverse, productive, safe, and healthy through over 30 programs and social justice advocacy efforts. We dedicate ourselves to serving with love while simultaneously creating lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges in our community, including homelessness, inequality, aging in isolation, generational poverty, HIV/AIDS, and immigration. We tackle these challenges with determination, tenacity, and collaborative problem-solving in solidarity with those we serve with tangible, life changing positive results. For more information, visit https://CatholicCharitiesSF.org/

About the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund

Launched in 2018, the Bezos Day One Fund made a $2 billion commitment to focus on making meaningful and lasting impacts in two areas: funding existing nonprofits that help families experiencing homelessness, and creating a network of new, nonprofit tier-one preschools in low-income communities. The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund issues annual leadership awards to organizations and civic groups doing compassionate, needle-moving work to help families experiencing homelessness—including those who are unsheltered or staying in shelters—regain safe, stable housing and achieve well-being. The vision statement comes from the inspiring Mary’s Place in Seattle: no child sleeps outside. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.