Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's recent open call for nonprofits has shed some light on her giving patterns, experts say. Scott's grants, announced in March, align with her usual themes, focusing on equity and justice, education, health, economic security, and democracy. Notably, a larger percentage of the most recent grants went to democracy-focused organizations.
According to the database of gifts on her Yield Giving website, organizations working on 'race and ethnicity' and 'youth development' received the most significant support. While Scott has historically favored organizations in the U.S. South, the latest round saw California and New York as the states with the most recipient nonprofits.
Scott, who has committed to donating over half of her wealth, has given more than $17.3 billion to 2,300 nonprofits since 2019. Last year, she offered nonprofits the chance to apply for $1 million grants through Lever for Change, ultimately awarding $640 million to 361 nonprofits.
Despite her generosity, some experts suggest that Scott's gifts may not provide long-term sustainability for nonprofits. They urge her to consider supporting smaller organizations and offering continued funding to previous recipients.
While Scott's giving has been substantial, some critics have pointed out a lack of transparency in her philanthropic endeavors. The recent open call for nonprofits was seen as a response to calls for more transparency and access to her giving process.
Experts note that many major funders aim to provide ongoing support and expertise to their grantees, beyond just financial contributions. Scott's approach, focused on large one-time gifts, differs from this model.
Scott's annual philanthropic contributions, averaging $3.3 billion since 2019, place her among the top philanthropic funders in the U.S. However, some other foundations, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, allocate even larger sums to charitable causes.
As Scott's philanthropic journey continues, many nonprofits eagerly await the possibility of receiving her support, hoping for sustained partnerships that go beyond financial aid.
