MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has decided to donate $640 million to non-profit organizations, more than doubling her initial planned donations for the year. This generous gesture comes as part of her ongoing commitment to giving back since divorcing Mr. Bezos in 2019. Ms. Scott had initially intended to make 250 awards of $1 million each this year, but ended up surpassing this goal by a significant margin.
The billionaire philanthropist has already given away $16.5 billion and plans to donate half of her $37.5 billion fortune throughout her life. Her recent donations, which will be distributed among 361 small groups out of over 6,000 organizations that applied for funding, reflect her dedication to supporting those who face systemic obstacles and discrimination. This year, Ms. Scott shifted her approach by openly reviewing applications and granting $2 million to 279 non-profits and $1 million to 82 groups, demonstrating her commitment to recognizing and rewarding impactful work.
Some of the recipients of Ms. Scott’s donations include the ACLU of Alabama, Justice for Migrant Women, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, and Mental Health Advocacy Services. Her generous contributions have been praised for supporting organizations that advocate for individuals and families facing economic challenges and social discrimination. Through her philanthropy, Ms. Scott continues to make a meaningful impact on various communities and highlight the importance of giving back to society.