Jeff Bezos gives $5 million to Eastern Kentucky Community Action group
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- KCEOC received a $5 million Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant to expand services.
- Organization will use funds over five years for outreach rental and shelter aid.
- Grant addresses rising rural homelessness
An Eastern Kentucky nonprofit that offers services to people in poverty was awarded a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, a nonprofit started by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos.
KCEOC Community Action Partnership Inc., which serves Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley counties, was one of 32 organizations across the country to receive money from the Bezos Day 1 Family Fund, according to a Monday press release from KCEOC.
“We are honored and deeply appreciative for this award,” said Paul D. Dole, president/CEO of KCEOC Community Action Partnership Inc. “The timing of this award is crucial given the critical needs of the families experiencing homelessness as they strive to reach self-sufficiency.”
It is the largest one-time gift in the nonprofit’s 60-year history.
The nonprofit was one of several in Kentucky forced to get bank loans or lines of credit to keep its Head Start preschool programs running during the federal shutdown, when some Head Start programs ran out of money. Head Start allows those organizations to use federal money, once the federal government reopened, to repay those loans, but interest has to be paid by the nonprofit.
KCEOC Community Action Partnership Inc. plans to use the one-time grant over the next five years to provide a variety of services, including outreach services for those living on the streets, rental assistance to help house homeless families and expanded shelter services.
These efforts will increase the number of people served in Eastern Kentucky, KCEOC officials said. Homelessness is increasing in Kentucky, particularly in rural areas including Eastern Kentucky, according to a 2025 annual homeless count.
“We are so thankful for this opportunity. It is part of our mission to help those who are unsheltered and with this funding, we can reach so many more people and make a difference in so many more lives,” said Jennifer Smith, vice president/chief operating officer, who oversees all homeless programs at KCEOC.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 11:24 AM.
