The Obama Foundation has announced a $100 million commitment from Jeff Bezos, who has asked that the public plaza at the Obama Presidential Center be named the John Lewis Plaza in honor of the late congressman and civil rights icon.

The single largest gift ever made to the foundation is unrestricted and will support programming to provide the next generation of emerging leaders with the tools, resources, and training they need to be the change they want to see in the world.

Obama Foundation president Valerie Jarrett told Puck that Bezos had wanted to “change the paradigm around naming” and that she hopes the donation will trigger a new naming tradition in philanthropy, one where donors don’t just honor themselves. Other named gifts to the foundation will be announced in the near future, and dedicated public spaces at the center will honor civil rights icons, social justice heroes, and changemakers in public service, business, and entertainment. The foundation has raised more than $720 million toward its $1.6 billion goal, including about $170 million in 2020 and $140 million in 2019, according to tax filings.

“Freedom fighters deserve a special place in the pantheon of heroes, and I can’t think of a more fitting person to honor with this gift than John Lewis, a great American leader and a man of extraordinary decency and courage,” said Bezos. “I’m thrilled to support President and Mrs. Obama and their foundation in its mission to train and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”

“We believe that there is incredible power in lifting up the names of extraordinary change agents upon whose shoulders we all stand, and we are thrilled by Mr. Bezos’ offer to name our magnificent Plaza in honor of John Lewis,” said Jarrett in a statement. “What’s more, Mr. Bezos’ generous unrestricted gift will enable us to help train a new generation of leaders through programs including the Girls Opportunity Alliance, My Brother’s Keeper, and our Global Leaders Program, while also supporting the foundation’s Hometown Fund, which invests in the expansion of economic development opportunities for residents of Chicago’s South Side.”

(Image credit: Obama Foundation)