Seattle, WA – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez recently awarded $100 million in grants to two individuals as part of Bezos’ annual Courage and Civility Award. The recipients are retired Navy admiral Bill McRaven and actress Eva Longoria, who were each given $50 million to support their respective charitable endeavors.
Bezos, whose net worth is estimated around $200 billion, established the Courage and Civility Award in 2021 to recognize individuals making significant contributions to society. Previous winners of the award include Van Jones and José Andrés, both known for their philanthropic work.
The rationale behind the award, as stated by Bezos, is to honor individuals who promote unity and civility in their endeavors. Bezos emphasized the importance of engaging in respectful discourse and working towards common goals without resorting to personal attacks.
In the following year, Dolly Parton received the award for her contributions to Covid-19 research and literacy initiatives. The generous grant aims to support individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.
Eva Longoria, known for her acting career and philanthropic efforts, plans to use her grant to further support her foundation, which focuses on empowering Latinas through education and entrepreneurship. Bill McRaven, a former Navy admiral, intends to develop educational programs for military leaders and provide mental health support for veterans and their families.
Bezos, who has expressed his commitment to philanthropy by dedicating a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes, has faced criticism for what some perceive as inadequate philanthropic efforts. Despite his substantial donations, some critics argue that Bezos’ philanthropic initiatives lack comprehensive planning and impact.
As Bezos continues his mission to give away the majority of his wealth, questions remain about the extent of his philanthropic legacy and whether he will eventually sign the Giving Pledge, a commitment made by numerous billionaires to donate a significant portion of their fortunes to charitable causes.