Bezos has previously focused his energy on more long term projects, most notably his Blue Origin space exploration company, so the tweet represented an apparent shift in his attitude toward philanthropy. He has made big gifts in the past, including a $40 million donation to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, but his interest in space travel and his need for steady funds to keep Blue Origin operational indefinitely has prevented him from making philanthropy the foundation of his work in the way that fellow ultra-wealthy billionaires like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, or Warren Buffett have. But if Bezos’ problem with giving his money away has been a lack of ideas, he can no longer claim that as an excuse. The tweet garnered thousands of replies within hours, with suggestions of causes ranging from homelessness, to the environment, to education, and many more.
