United Way of Yellowstone County has received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund—the largest gift in the organization’s history. The grant is aimed at helping the homeless in Billings.

This is the sixth round of annual Day 1 Families Fund grants, which recognize organizations doing work to help families experiencing homelessness secure housing and achieve stability. The fund, created in 2018 by Jeff Bezos, former CEO and founder of Amazon, is part of a $2 billion commitment to such organizations throughout the country. This is the sixth round of grants, bringing the total awarded to $639 million.

According to Kim Lewis, president and CEO of United Way of Yellowstone County, the one-time grant will support United Way of Yellowstone County in serving children and adults in families experiencing homelessness, who represent more than a quarter of the homeless population nationally. Lewis explained that the funds will increase access to services and “empower coalitions.”

United Way of Yellowstone County will use The Day 1 Families Fund grant to divert families from homelessness and rehouse families.