Family Promise of Morris County Granted $1.25 Million from Jeff Bezos Foundation

Grant from Bezos Day 1 Families Fund bolsters local efforts to combat homelessness amid rising national crisis.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Family Promise of Morris County, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity, has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. The funding, provided by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, is part of a $110.5 million initiative supporting 40 organizations nationwide working to end family homelessness.

This marks the seventh year of the Day 1 Families Fund’s grants, which aim to ensure no child in the United States sleeps outside. The grant comes as family homelessness continues to rise, with families now comprising over 28% of the homeless population, according to a 2024 report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this funding and be nationally recognized for our work across outreach, shelter, and housing,” said Joann Bjornson, LSW, CEO of Family Promise of Morris County. “This support empowers us to expand safe and accessible housing for families in need. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to make a greater impact in our community. As a member of Family Promise National, we are all working together to end family homelessness across the county. “

Targeted Impact on Homelessness

Family Promise plans to use the grant to expand its programs over the next five years, focusing on transitioning families from homelessness to permanent housing. The organization will also continue to raise funds to sustain its current initiatives, which include homelessness prevention, outreach to unsheltered individuals, and healthcare services.

“Family Promise of Morris County was a lifeline for me. The support and resources I’ve received not only helped me find housing but also gave my daughter a sense of stability, safety and hope. Now, working at the Family Promise’s Our Promise Drop-In Center, I see firsthand the incredible impact this organization has on families, and I’m proud to be part of a team that helps others find their way home too,” said Angel Johnson, program alumna and Outreach Team member.

A National Effort with Local Reach

Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has distributed nearly $750 million in grants to organizations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This year’s funding also marks the first time New Jersey organizations were selected. Alongside Family Promise of Morris County, Family Promise of Essex County, Family Promise of the Jersey Shore, and Monarch Housing Associates also received grants.

Family Promise of Morris County’s efforts align with a broader strategy by the Fund, advised by national experts in housing policy, child welfare, and racial equity. The grants provide flexible funding to address critical needs, enabling organizations to support unsheltered families and those in shelters to regain stable housing.

For additional information, visit www.familypromisemorris.org.