Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Surpasses Donation Goals with $640 Million to US Non-Profits

Renowned billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has announced a staggering donation of $640 million to support non-profit organizations in the United States, surpassing her earlier planned contributions for the year.

Scott’s generous donation will benefit 361 small groups selected from over 6,000 applicants seeking funding. Originally intending to distribute 250 awards of $1 million each, Scott opted to expand her philanthropic endeavours, more than doubling the number of recipients and the overall amount of the donations.

Since finalizing her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, Scott has committed to giving away a substantial portion of her wealth, totalling $16.5 billion to date. With a net worth of $37.5 billion, according to Forbes, Scott ranks as the fourth richest woman globally.

Among the recipients of Scott’s recent donations are notable organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama, Justice for Migrant Women, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, and Mental Health Advocacy Services.

Taking to social media, Scott expressed her admiration for the selected groups, emphasizing their dedication to advancing opportunities for individuals and families facing socioeconomic challenges and systemic barriers.

This year, Scott adopted a new approach to philanthropy, departing from her previous strategy of discreetly reaching out to organizations with substantial, unrestricted gifts. Instead, after a thorough review process involving a panel of experts, Scott allocated $2 million to 279 non-profits and $1 million to 82 groups.

Lever for Change, the organization managing the applications, commended the remarkable efforts of the applicants, which ultimately led to an increase in both the number and size of the awards. Scott’s continued commitment to philanthropy underscores her ongoing dedication to supporting initiatives that drive positive social change and empower marginalized communities across the United States.