Mackenzie Scott’s Increased Donation to Black History Preservation
Mackenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, has significantly ramped up her philanthropic efforts, donating $40 million to organizations focused on preserving Black history.
This latest contribution marks the largest single donation ever made to the African American Heritage Action Fund, effectively doubling her previous donation to the same cause made in 2021.
The 55-year-old philanthropist, whose net worth is reported to be $32.5 billion by Forbes, recently donated $42 million to 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships mainly for low-income students of color.
Scott’s donation comes at a time when the Trump administration is making moves to restrict DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs nationwide. Several large companies, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Walmart, alongside Amazon, have scaled back their initiatives in this area since Trump took office.
Over the past year, Scott has committed approximately $110 million specifically towards DEI initiatives. According to Fortune magazine, she seems genuinely dedicated to this cause.
Brent Leggs, the executive director of the African American Heritage Action Fund, expressed gratitude, noting, “Mackenzie Scott’s ongoing support for historic preservation is making a notable impact on our nation’s narrative.”
Founded in 2017 and under the umbrella of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the fund seeks to safeguard sites related to Black history in America. To date, it has raised nearly $200 million and has aided in over 378 preservation projects, which include various churches, museums, and homes.
In recent years, the Fund has notably invested significant resources into restoring historic Black churches, such as the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, a founding site for Aretha Franklin’s father.
So far, Scott has given more than $19 billion since she became an activist after her divorce from Bezos, which left her with about 4% of Amazon. Notably, she’s known for her unique approach to philanthropy, often donating hefty amounts to smaller nonprofits without stringent conditions or extensive reporting processes, setting her apart from many of her wealthy peers who prefer larger, splashier donations.
Last year alone, she funneled $2 billion into 199 organizations, demonstrating a clear focus on grassroots efforts.
Interestingly, Scott has also reduced her stake in Amazon by around 42%, equivalent to about $12.6 billion over the past year, based on regulatory disclosures. However, despite these reductions, her wealth has still increased as the company’s stock has surged approximately 150% since her divorce.
