In a generous show of support for small nonprofits, billionaire philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott announced on Tuesday a donation exceeding half a billion dollars to hundreds of organizations. Dishing out $640 million, Scott has more than doubled her initially intended giveaway to the groups who answered her open call for applications, KING5 News reported.
Yield Giving, the name behind Scott's first round of donations, has laid out a philanthropic strategy that stands apart from her prior approach of handpicking organizations. The 361 nonprofits, a mix of top-scoring applicants and a second-tier of organizations have been granted sums of $2 million and $1 million respectively, ABC News reported. Originally, 6,353 nonprofits entered the fray hoping to secure funding, while the leap to a much grander pool of awardees, and dollars, was a decision made by the donor team.
Scott expressed her gratitude in a brief note on her website, acknowledging the significant role played by Lever for Change and the evaluators who assessed the nonprofit hopefuls. She credited them for "their roles in creating this pathway to support for people working to improve access to foundational resources in their communities. They are vital agents of change," as 9NEWS documented.
The notable increase in both the number of recipients and the sum of the donations was hailed as "a pleasant surprise" by Elisha Smith Arrillaga, vice president at The Center for Effective Philanthropy, according to a statement obtained by KING5 News. Smith Arrillaga went on to express her anticipation regarding the application experience from the applicant's perspective, and whether this signifies a permanent shift in Scott's philanthropic modus operandi going forward. Moreover, the open call methodology offers an invaluable chance for nonprofits lacking direct connections with major funders, to gain recognition and support, Renee Karibi-Whyte senior vice president, at the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors told ABC News.
MacKenzie Scott's ongoing philanthropic journey continues to evolve, fundamentally altering the landscape for many organizations that touch upon various domains of public welfare. Her immense contributions since 2019 have become a hallmark of her legacy, redefining the potential reach and impact of private wealth in the public domain.
