MacKenzie Scott

A few years back, MacKenzie Scott, erstwhile spouse to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, started giving away her money. That has been to the benefit of many a local nonprofit.

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Last December, Forbes reported: “MacKenzie Scott has been giving away her fortune at a pace almost unheard of in the philanthropy world. Since divorcing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, she’s donated nearly $8.6 billion to 780-plus organizations focused on gender equality, racial justice, public health and more. Scott’s is worth $59.2 billion, Forbes estimates, as of Wednesday’s market close.”

The pace does not seem to be letting up. Let’s look at but a handful of local organizations that recently received funds from Scott.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, with locations in East Dallas, Oak Cliff and Richardson, among others, last week announced a $4.8 million donation from Scott. The gift is part of a $281 million contribution to the national club.

“We thank MacKenzie Scott for her incredibly generous gift that will lift up countless Dallas-area kids,” says BGCD President and CEO, Charles English.

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity just received the largest unrestricted donation in its 36-year history — $9 million, part of $436 million from Scott to Habitat for Humanity International and its 83 affiliates.

Located at the State Fair of Texas, Big Thought, serving youths in marginalized communities, received $1.5 million from Scott last year. “This kind of stuff just usually doesn’t happen,” the CEO told D Magazine at the time. “I was making sure it wasn’t a phishing scam.”

Last month Scott gave $3.3 million EACH to Communities In Schools Dallas, Tarrant and North Texas.

Back in 2020, she gave $10 million to the YMCA in Dallas.

The New York Times noted that “Ms. Scott has turned traditional philanthropy on its head… by disbursing her money quickly and without much hoopla, Ms. Scott has pushed the focus away from the giver and onto the nonprofits she is trying to help.”

While not exactly on the spending spree level of his ex-wife, Jeff Bezos also is making a positive impact around these parts. Tuition-free Bezos Academy is coming to both Lake Highlands, at Presbyterian Village North. And to the Oak Cliff area, at Mountain View  and Cedar Valley campuses.