Big news! The Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation is honored to be named a 2025 Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant recipient. This $1.25 million grant from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos will help us expand our work to ensure that Tribal Citizens have a safe, stable place to call home.
“Tribal children in crisis need immediate, effective solutions and this grant helps the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation deliver that, here in our community and across the country,” said Jeri Robertson, Mvn'-dvn (Housing Division) Manager. “We are committed to creating pathways to housing and stability for every tribal child and family.”
A total of $102.5 million in grants were distributed among 32 organizations, including the Nation, across the country. The organizations were identified this year by an independent advisory group of homelessness experts who are leading advocates and bring expertise on homelessness, housing policy and effective approaches and solutions to family homelessness.
The Nation will use its Day 1 Families Fund grant to serve even more families experiencing homelessness in the United States, with the goal of ensuring no child sleeps outside. Specifically, Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation plans to use this one-time grant over the next five years to allow our Tribal Mvn'-dvn (Housing Division) to expand homeless services by strengthening emergency housing, rapid rehousing and culturally responsive case management, while adding proactive outreach to connect families experiencing homelessness with resources. Through this approach, Tolowa Deeni' Nation aims to create long-term housing stability for Tribal families and others in need.
“Our work reflects the strength and resilience of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, and this grant acknowledges that,” said Debbie Boardman, Tribal Council Chair. “It enables us to build on what we’ve achieved and provide even greater support to address homelessness and protect the well-being of Tribal children and families.”