Despite the fact that the figure reaches billions, the donation from the world’s richest man—the founder and CEO of Amazon—still falls short of what other contemporary magnates like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have already given.
At 61 years old, Jeff Bezos is not only the wealthiest man on the planet. The founder and CEO of Amazon, the global e-commerce empire, is also one of the most generous individuals in the world. Although he has always preferred to keep a low profile with the press, the announcement of a multibillion-dollar donation from his philanthropic fund is so staggering that it is overwhelming. The total sum amounts to $2 billion and is set to change the lives of vulnerable children, helping many of them achieve their dreams.
The beneficiaries in this case will be the poorest of the poor—children from the world’s most vulnerable communities, who, wherever they may be, will now receive quality education thanks to the development of comprehensive programs focused on early childhood. For this reason, Bezos believes that the best investment of his life is still ahead of him.
Bezos himself told the media that he spent an entire year asking advice from people he admires and trusts on how best to use his fortune for charitable purposes. This was no trivial matter, given that his personal wealth is estimated to exceed $160 billion—and continues to grow by the minute.
When Investing in Human Capital Is the Best Investment
The philanthropic fund, named the “Bezos Day One Fund,” will focus on two key areas aimed at changing the lives of the most vulnerable children. One branch will strongly support NGOs “that help homeless families,” while the other will focus on creating “a network of first-class, non-profit kindergartens located in areas near low-income communities,” Bezos explained.
According to representatives of the Bezos Fund, the initiative will finance “a network of kindergartens of excellence, of the highest quality, offering full scholarships and meals for the children.” This comprehensive program was inspired by the educational system created by the renowned Italian physician and pedagogue Maria Montessori, under which Bezos himself was educated as a child.
“We will build an organization with a free-flowing financial structure to directly operate these schools,” Bezos explained. He added that he envisions these educational centers being based on “the same guiding principles that have driven Amazon’s success,” which, in practice, translates to the concept that “the child will be the primary customer.”
The Educational Foundations of Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori created a true revolution in pedagogy. Her system had a central goal: to foster a comprehensive education that would help shape a “new human being.” Her ideal was that this new humanity, raised with her revolutionary method, would stand out for being more peaceful, collaborative, and focused on goals driven by the pursuit of the common good.
In her daily work with children, Montessori insisted that classrooms and educational spaces be comfortable, bright, colorful, and stimulating. They should also be designed to allow young children to learn autonomously and freely, following their own pace, rhythm, and interests. What mattered most, according to Montessori, was that each child could discover their preferred activities while in a safe environment, sharing with peers, and gradually learning responsibility through simple, basic tasks.
Montessori developed her method primarily with disadvantaged children. Yet, paradoxically, today her revolutionary approach is most often used by wealthier families. Worldwide, there are around 65,000 Montessori schools, and their enrollment figures far surpass those of traditional schools. Bezos is determined to make a difference by using the method to close educational gaps in an unequal world.
Another Small but Significant Contribution
In 2017, Bezos donated $33 million to fund a scholarship program for the so-called “Dreamers” in the United States. This is the term commonly used for the children of undocumented immigrants who face immense—and often insurmountable—legal barriers when attempting to attend university.
The impact of this initiative was profound, resulting in the graduation of new and highly skilled professionals. Inspired by these outcomes, Bezos has once again decided to give everything in support of what he considers the best possible investment for the planet’s future: investing in the youngest and most vulnerable human capital.
