Northeast Ohio nonprofit announces $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos

On Thursday, Axess Family Services, Inc., Northeast Ohio’s largest nonprofit integrating healthcare and social services, announced that it has received a $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.

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, according to a press release.

“This is the largest gift we have ever received in my 30+ years of running this organization,” said Mark Frisone, executive director of Axess Family Services, Inc. “It will allow us to continue to go forth and do good for the many homeless families in need in Northeastern Ohio.”

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, Axess Family Services, Inc. will work to reverse this national trend by serving families experiencing homelessness in Akron/Summit County, Portage County and Youngstown/Mahoning County.

Specifically, Axess Family Services, Inc. plans to use its funds to expand the number of homeless shelter beds for families and build a new shelter for survivors experiencing domestic violence. Funds will also be used to expand outreach to homeless families and develop more affordable housing in Northeastern Ohio.

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.

“This incredible award will empower us to collaborate with our community partners on a variety of initiatives aimed at transforming the future of families experiencing homelessness. By working together, we will create lasting solutions to break the cycle of homelessness, improve stability and offer families a pathway to long-term success and independence,” said Matt Slater, director of development at Axess Family Services, Inc.

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 full list of awardees is available at bezosdayonefund.org/day1familiesfund.