But 2024 marked a shift in her strategy: a deeper focus on affordable housing, a willingness to double down on prior recipients, and a clear message to big banks that her wealth will no longer fuel their dominance.
Betting Big on Housing: A Repeated Vote of Confidence
Shaun Donovan, president of Enterprise Community Partners, wasn’t expecting another call from Scott. After receiving a surprise $50 million grant in 2020, his nonprofit—focused on affordable housing—was caught off guard again this October with an additional $65 million. “It’s remarkable,” Donovan said, “They don’t share insights into their process, but this second gift feels like a powerful vote of confidence in the work we’ve done.”
Scott’s 2024 giving strategy leaned heavily on addressing America’s growing housing crisis. Other repeat beneficiaries included:
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($65 million).
• Corporation for Supportive Housing ($40 million).
• Undue Medical Debt, which tackles crippling medical debt ($30 million).
These donations underscore Scott’s belief that affordable housing is the cornerstone of economic stability—a sentiment echoed in her Yield Giving announcement, where she stated that 75% of this year’s grants were directed toward nonprofits focused on economic security, education, healthcare, and access to financial opportunities.
Rethinking Philanthropy: A New Playbook in the Works
Scott didn’t just stop at writing checks. In her December 18 announcement, she hinted at a bold pivot in her approach. She’s exploring for-profit solutions to tackle systemic issues like housing affordability and women’s health. By doing so, she’s signaling a readiness to blur traditional lines between charity and business—a move that could reshape how philanthropy tackles structural inequities.
But perhaps the most provocative part of her statement came with a pointed critique of traditional financial systems. Scott declared her intention to withdraw future donations not from traditional bank accounts or stock portfolios but from mission-aligned investments. “I want to invest in ventures led by underrepresented groups—women, people of color—so my wealth is working twice: advancing economic mobility and funding experienced nonprofits,” she wrote.
This shift not only disrupts the traditional flow of billionaire capital but also challenges the dominance of financial institutions that perpetuate wealth disparities.
A Legacy Unlike Any Other
Since her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, Scott has become a force of change in philanthropy. Unlike many of her peers, her approach is refreshingly unconventional: grants are unsolicited, unrestricted, and transformative. In 2024, she partnered with Lever for Change on the Open Call initiative, distributing $640 million to 361 organizations worldwide.
Her rapid pace of giving is equally groundbreaking. In just five years, Scott has donated or sold the 255 million Amazon shares she received in the divorce. Despite giving away an estimated 20% of her wealth, she remains worth $31.8 billion—still one of the wealthiest people on the planet. Had she held onto her entire Amazon stake, her net worth would approach $87 billion.
Why MacKenzie Scott Stands Out
Scott’s giving is not just generous—it’s transformative. By focusing on grassroots organizations and bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of philanthropy, she’s empowering communities often overlooked by billionaires. Her willingness to adapt, innovate, and challenge norms sets her apart in a world where large-scale philanthropy often feels detached and impersonal.
Scott’s 2024 contributions remind us that philanthropy can be more than just a wealth transfer—it can be a tool for systemic change. As she continues to push boundaries, her legacy may not only be measured in billions given but in the profound shifts she inspires in how society addresses inequality.
The question now is: How many other billionaires are bold enough to follow her lead?
