Amazon's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos just cut Admiral Bill McRaven a check for $50 million. Don’t worry, Bezos isn’t looking to build up a privte navy. Instead, the money is awarded as part of an annual program that provides funds to various luminaries who can donate the cash to causes they support.
The now-retired McRaven served on SEAL Team Six and as the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). More recently, he served as the chancellor of the University of Texas System. McRaven intends to use the award money to educate the children of deceased veterans, provide mental health services to veterans, and fund educational programs to help develop the next generation of military leaders.
The funds are provided through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. Besides McRaven, entrepreneur Eva Longoria also received the award this year. Longoria has long supported the Latino community in the United States with scholarships, mentorship, and resources for Latino entrepreneurs.
In 2022, Dolly Parton received the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. Parton noted that "When people are in a position to help, you should help,"and "I try to put my money where my heart is." Parton used the award to support education, animal preservation, and disease research. The Bezos Courage and Civility Award was launched in 2021.