MacKenzie Scott gives away $4.1 billion over the past four months to hundreds of organizations in a pandemic charity spree.
What We Know:
- Author, philanthropist, and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott donates billions as part of “The Giving Pledge,” a promise she made in 2019. So far, she has donated $4.1 billion in the past four months to 384 organizations.
- Scott previously donated 1.68 billion in July to various organizations. After the donations, she asked advisers to help her give to communities who needed immediate help because of the pandemic’s effects.
- Scott posted her donations in a medium post, sharing her donations made in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Washington D.C. Scott notes how hard the pandemic hit certain groups, specifically women, people of color, and those in poverty. She also shared how some organizations will use the money, “Some are filling basic needs: food banks, emergency relief funds, and support services for those most vulnerable. Others are addressing long-term systemic inequities.”
- Of the organizations, Craft3, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on investing in Black, Indigenous, and people of color owned businesses, received $10 million. The Washington Easterseals, Walla Walla Community College, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle all received undisclosed sums. President and CEO of Easterseals Washington told The Seattle Times the gift was “transformational.”
- CEO of Craft3, Adam Zimmerman, commented on the donation, “Our industry’s collective value as part of the financial ecosystem has been validated and catalyzed with this remarkable generosity.” Adding that Scott’s contribution is the largest grant the organization has received and how they plan to use the donation, “we will use this support to re-imagine our 25-year effort to create an equitable, healthy and resilient Pacific Northwest.”
Scott says she is far from completing her pledge and plans to make more donations. She urges others to follow her lead, whether by money, voice, or time.
