MacKenzie Scott Donates $7.1 Billion to Nonprofits in 2025, Marking Sharp Rise in Annual Giving
Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott disclosed on Tuesday that she donated $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025 – more than double her giving from the previous two years and one of her largest annual totals to date.
In an essay posted on her website, Scott said the figures would likely draw media attention but stressed that the money represented only a small part of the “expressions of care” happening across communities this year.
Scott previously reported donating $2.6 billion in 2024 and $2.1 billion in 2023. Her latest announcement brings her total philanthropic contributions since 2019 to $26.3 billion. Forbes currently estimates her net worth at roughly $33 billion, largely tied to Amazon shares she received after her 2019 divorce from company founder Jeff Bezos.
Scott’s approach to philanthropy has distinguished her from most major donors: her gifts come without restrictions, involve no formal application process and often arrive unexpectedly. Aside from a one-time open call in 2023, organizations cannot directly apply for her support. Recipients typically learn of a grant through an intermediary shortly before funds are disbursed.
Ahead of Scott’s announcement, more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) confirmed they had received a collective $783 million from her this year, according to research by Rutgers University professor and HBCU scholar Marybeth Gasman. Gasman described Scott as an “equity machine,” noting the scale of her contributions at a time when equity-focused education initiatives have faced political pushback. The latest gifts surpass the size of Scott’s widely publicized HBCU donations in 2020.
Not every HBCU that received money in previous rounds secured funding this year, but several first-time recipients were added. Gasman has tracked $1.35 billion in total donations from Scott to HBCUs since 2020.
Other beneficiaries include the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which confirmed a $70 million contribution that will be directed into a collective endowment supporting member institutions. The Native Forward Scholars Fund, which provides scholarships to Native American students, also received $50 million.
Unlike most foundations, Scott does not require reports, updates, or specific program-based spending. A 2023 study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that organizations awarded Scott’s unrestricted grants have largely avoided operational strain and have not seen other funders withdraw support as a result.
One such recipient, 10,000 Degrees – a California nonprofit focused on helping low-income students complete college without debt – learned earlier this year that it would receive $42 million. CEO Kim Mazzuca said the surprise announcement left her “speechless,” noting that the gift is roughly twice the organization’s annual budget. She said the funds will allow the nonprofit to expand its reach, invest in new technology tools and build an endowment.
Mazzuca praised Scott for backing organizations with proven impact. “She’s providing the means, but she’s also reminding people of their own power,” she said.
Scott’s latest essay also reflects on how acts of generosity echo across time. She shared personal memories of receiving help during college – from a dentist who repaired a broken tooth at no cost to a roommate who once loaned her $1,000. Scott has since invested in that roommate’s company, which offers financing to students who struggle to obtain loans from traditional banks. The move aligns with Scott’s broader effort, announced last year, to shift more of her wealth into “mission-aligned” investments rather than purely profit-driven vehicles.
Her 2025 message ends with a call for personal responsibility and collective action: “There are many ways to influence how we move through the world, and where we land.”
