MacKenzie Scott donated $7.1 billion to nonprofits working on climate change and fighting for equality. She is known for charitable gifts to overlooked groups.
The philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed Tuesday that she donated $7.1 billion (€6.1 billion) to nonprofits in 2025.
Her donations this year mark a significant increase in annual giving than in previous years — which she acknowledged was $2.6 billion in 2024 and $2.1 billion in 2023.
Scott is one of the richest people in the world, and Forbes estimates her net worth at around $33 billion, largely stemming from her stake in Amazon.
She was married to Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos until 2019.
Here are the key points:
Scott discloses $7.17 billion in donations this year
That brings her total philanthropic giving since 2019 to $26.3 billion
Scott donates to groups that work to address climate change, fight for equality
More than a dozen historically Black colleges say they together received a total of $783 million from Scott this year
Historically Black colleges and universities report major new funding
In advance of Scott’s public announcement, more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) said they had received a combined $783 million (€673 million) from her this year, according to research by Rutgers University professor Marybeth Gasman.
Some institutions were first-time recipients, while others that had previously received support did not receive funds in this round. Gasman has tracked $1.35 billion (€1.16 billion) in Scott’s giving to HBCUs since 2020.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) confirmed receiving $70 million (€60 million), which it plans to invest in a collective endowment for participating HBCUs. Native Forward Scholars Fund, which provides scholarships to Native American students, also received $50 million (€43 million).
Scott notable for donations because they have few strings attached
Scott’s giving model remains notable because her donations come without applications, restrictions, or reporting requirements. She has no public-facing foundation or office, and organizations are typically notified of a gift through intermediaries.
A 2023 study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that recipients generally did not struggle to manage the influx of unrestricted funds and did not see other donors retreat as a result.
California nonprofit 10,000 Degrees said it received a $42 million gift earlier this year. Its CEO, Kim Mazzuca, said she confirmed the amount after being notified by phone. The gift is roughly twice the organization’s annual budget.
Scott places her giving within a broader landscape of public generosity
In her essay, Scott contrasted her multibillion-dollar total with the scale of everyday charitable acts. She referenced US data from 2020, citing “$471 billion” in charitable donations, along with billions in remittances, crowdfunding, volunteer labor, and service-sector wages.
Scott also described early experiences in which she received help, including free dental care and a loan from a college roommate.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
DW News
