Jeff Bezos' $500,000 Charity Gala Donation Elicits Cheers… And A Groan? When you're that wealthy, money speaks in weird ways.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Donating half a million dollars would be considered an incredible act of generosity by most standards, but when it comes from the second-richest man in the world, it raises a kind of unanswerable question: How much is enough?

On Saturday, Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos attended a charity gala in West Hollywood, where he donated $500,000 to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing and basic necessities.

The response he got depends on what you read. The gesture was met with an "audible groan" from the audience, an unnamed source told Page Six, and that report was repeated in other media outlets. But many sources, including an updated story in Vanity Fair, report a roomful of cheers and a joke from the crowd about him donating more.

"People were clapping and screaming when Jeff donated half a million," someone in attendance tells Entrepreneur.

Related: Elon Musk Says He's Sending Jeff Bezos a Silver Medal After Surpassing Him in Wealth

The event also honored Vanessa Bryant with its Giving Tree Award for her longstanding support of the cause. Bryant's late husband, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, was also a benefactor of Baby2Baby.

Bezos' girlfriend Lauren Sanchez was also in attendance, as were numerous celebrities, including Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Garner, Ciara, Nicole Richie and Mindy Kaling.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'Applications Are Surging': Small Business Administration Reports Significant Growth in Loan Approvals

The Small Business Administration launched its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative last month.

Money & Finance

Make Money on Autopilot With These 5 Smart Passive Income Ideas

Five innovative ways to earn money even when you're sleeping.

Social Media

With This LinkedIn Algorithm Change, Your Best Posts Could Reach New Readers for Months

It's one of many new features rolling out on the platform in 2024.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Process

5 'Boring' Processes That Make Tech Companies Wildly Successful (and Will Work For Your Small Business, Too)

Implementing these five tech practices can transform your small business.

Business News

Most Coachella Attendees Bought Their $600 Tickets This Year with a Buy Now, Pay Later Option

Coachella tickets start at around $600, but upfront costs are as low as $49.99 with a payment plan.