Bezos’ $100M Maui Wildfire Fund Distributed to Local Charities

Last August, following devastating wind-propelled wildfires that ravaged Maui, killing 100 people and destroying entire neighborhoods, billionaire Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, announced a $100 million fund for Maui wildfire relief. Bezos and Sánchez, deeply affected by the crisis, expressed their commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term rebuilding efforts.

Months passed without clear details on the distribution of the $100 million fund until recently. Neal Karlinsky, a spokesperson for Bezos, revealed that nine Hawaii-based charities have received a total of $15.5 million from the Bezos Maui Fund. Recipients include the Boys and Girls Club of Maui, the Maui Food Bank, the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, the Maui Humane Society, Lele Aloha, Hawaii Green Growth, the Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, the Kahalawai Watershed Partnership, and the East Maui Watershed Partnership.

Marlene Rice, development director at the Maui Food Bank, expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the critical role the donation plays in providing essential support to the community. While some organizations, such as the Maui Humane Society, Hawaii Green Growth, and Kahalawai Watershed Partnership, confirmed receiving donations, the exact amounts were not disclosed.

Karlinsky emphasized that additional funding will be distributed over the coming years as ongoing needs are identified. Bezos, currently the third richest person in the world, owns a home on Maui and has been actively involved in the recovery efforts. He lent his helicopter to the Maui Fire Department to aid in transportation to inaccessible areas.

Bezos is among several billionaires and celebrities who have donated millions to support fire recovery efforts. Oprah Winfrey, another Maui property owner, donated $10 million to the Peoples Fund of Maui. Bezos’ significant philanthropic commitments also include the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion pledge over a decade to drive climate solutions. Additionally, he supports tuition-free preschools for low-income families through Bezos Academies and the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, which aids homeless families in finding permanent homes and services.

Despite his substantial charitable contributions, Bezos’ giving as a percentage of his net worth remains in the low single digits.