Bezos family pledges $500 million matching challenge for UNICEF nutrition fund
The family will match donations from governments and private donors to combat global child and maternal malnutrition.
The Bezos family announced a $500 million matching challenge for the UNICEF Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) on March 27, 2025, according to the Times of India. The announcement was made during the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.
The commitment is structured as a matching challenge where the family will match contributions from other donors up to a maximum of $500 million. Mike Bezos, speaking for the family, said the family wants to accelerate change and invited others to donate to the CNF.
The initiative aims to address malnutrition in women and children, specifically focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child's life. UNICEF figures cited during the announcement show that 148 million children under five are affected by stunting and 45 million suffer from wasting.
The CNF was established in 2023 and has a target of raising $2 billion by 2030. It aims to reach 320 million women and children every year through various nutrition programmes.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant addition to efforts to tackle undernutrition. She encouraged governments, organisations, and individuals to take part in the fundraising effort.