MacKenzie Scott Gives Out Another $2.7 Billion In Third Donation Spree

Philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott, announced on Tuesday that she has donated $2.7 billion to 286 organizations across the United States. In a Medium post that she sent out from her account, she lists the recipients and explains her thought process. 

“Sitting down to write this post, I felt stuck,” Scott writes. “I want to de-emphasize privileged voices and cede focus to others, yet I know some media stories will focus on wealth.”  

She explains that she wanted to title her post “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear,” because she and her team are “attempting to give away a fortune that was enabled by systems in need of change.” After that, she also weighs in on the billionaire debate that’s long been brewing about wealthy people, especially her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, and their refusal to pay the appropriate amount of taxes. 

“We are governed by a humbling belief that it would be better if disproportionate wealth were not concentrated in a small number of hands and that the solutions are best designed and implemented by others,” Mackenzie writes. She shares that this round of donations is focused on higher education, groups bridging divides through interfaith support, arts and culture, anti-poverty organizations led by people of color, and grassroots groups supporting local communities.

While she didn't disclose the specific amount of each donation she made, she did say that in total, she dispersed $2.739 billion. If the grants are equal in size, it would mean that each of the 268 organizations received about $10 million. However, one recipient, the Children’s Defense Fund, says their organization received $20 million, which is the largest single contribution in its history.

It is noteworthy that MacKenzie Scott’s donations go to groups that enable philanthropic giving or aid. Examples are Kiva, which makes microloans; and Give Directly, which gives cash to the very poor in African countries. 

All grants were also made without requests or a specific purpose, and Mackenzie encouraged every recipient to spend it how they see fit.

“Because we believe that teams with experience on the front lines of challenges will know best how to put the money to good use, we encouraged them to spend it however they choose,” she wrote. “Many reported that this trust significantly increased the impact of the gift.”

National Council of Nonprofits, another recipient of the grant, shared that the unrestricted donation will help their work supporting tens of thousands of nonprofits across the country. “Grateful for the tremendous trust that MacKenzie and Dan [Jewett, her husband] have in our work does not even begin to describe how we are feeling today,” the CEO, Tim Delaney said.

In line with her belief in ceding control of money for the best results in disseminating wealth, Scott also gave to the Decolonizing Wealth Project, which redistributes wealth to Black, Indigenous, and other philanthropic initiatives led by people of color. A donation was also made to Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles-based not-for-profit that rehabilitates ex-gang members and tries to help them become contributing members of society.

Another recipient is DonorsChoose, a nonprofit that lets teachers crowdfund for their classrooms. The founder, Charles Best shares that Scott’s gift was “overwhelming,” and lauded her Medium post as one of the most powerful philanthropic manifestos ever written. 

Another recipient, Faith in Action, shared that they look forward to using their multi-million donation “toward continued investments in Black and Brown communities” as part of their mission to help people of religious faith work towards more just and equitable societies. “This gift is transformative for Faith in Action,” executive director, the Reverend Alvin Herring, says. “As we center the leadership of everyday folks who aren’t looking for the limelight, we are grateful to Ms. Scott for investing in organizations led by people directly impacted by the issues we care so deeply about.”

Celina Miranda, executive director of Hyde Square Task Force, shared with WBUR how big of a difference the grant will make.

“Because it is unrestricted, it can be used over multiple years,” Miranda said. “It really can help with the sustainability of our organization, and our ability to innovate and improve.”

Not all recipients have yet reported the donation amount. ZUMIX, an East Boston nonprofit shared on Twitter that they had received $1 million.

Tuesday marks Mackenzie's third major round of public donations. In 2020, she gave away a total of $6 billion to 500 organizations. MacKenzie is also a signed member of The Giving Pledge, promising to give away half of her wealth in her lifetime, or after her death.

Even after the massive donation, MacKenzie's wealth still stands at an intimidating $57 billion, makes her the 22nd richest person in the world.

Mackenzie made most of her money from Amazon, her husband, Jeff Bezos founded Amzon Inc and she received a lot of money after divorcing him.  She is a billionaire and she is spending her money aggressively in a good way.