YWCA of Cass-Clay to receive $2.5M from Bezos Day 1 Families Fund

Fargo, North Dakota – The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has announced that it will donate $2.5 million to the YWCA of Cass-Clay in Fargo.

Erin Prochnow, CEO of YWCA, described the gift as genuinely uplifting and inspirational.

“We’re just absolutely honored and thrilled to have the largest gift in history of YWCA come from Jeff Bezos and his Day 1 Families Fund,” Prochnow said. “It’s actually a leadership award that he provides to homeless providers across the country.”

The fund was established by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, in 2018.

According to Prochnow, the one-time donation was one of $123 million that was handed to 40 groups across the nation.

The YWCA will utilize the funding to upgrade its crisis shelter for battered women and children in south Fargo. Prochnow stated that $400,000 of the money will go toward security and restroom improvements in 2019.

The donation will also aid the charity’s efforts to assist families who are struggling with rising rent prices, a lack of resources, and inadequate pay.

Bezos’ ex-wife last week disclosed a $10 million donation to the Dakota Medical Foundation.

The Day 1 Families Fund has given 170 awards worth more than $520 million to groups around the nation over the last five years.