MacKenzie Scott's Unprecedented Philanthropic Journey: $26 Billion Donated in Seven Years
Following her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019 after 25 years of marriage, MacKenzie Scott received a 4% stake in Amazon, equivalent to approximately 139 million shares at the time. This settlement positioned her as one of the world's wealthiest individuals, but it is her subsequent actions that have captured global attention.
Record-Breaking Generosity: A $7.2 Billion Sprint in 2025
As of 2026, Scott has given away more than 75% of her Amazon shares, embarking on a philanthropic sprint that has resulted in donations totaling around $26 billion over just seven years. According to a recent Forbes report, her charitable contributions in 2025 alone reached a staggering $7.2 billion, marking the highest single-year donation since Forbes began tracking top givers in 2012.
This extraordinary effort has propelled Scott to become the third-biggest philanthropist of all time in the United States. Remarkably, the cumulative donations she made in 2025 exceed the lifetime giving totals of some of the world's richest billionaires combined, including Elon Musk, Larry Page, Larry Ellison, and her ex-husband Jeff Bezos.
Forbes Top 25 Philanthropists: Scott Ranks Third with 46% of Net Worth Given
Forbes recently unveiled its list of America's Top 25 Philanthropists, highlighting individuals who have made significant impacts through their giving. Warren Buffett leads the list with lifetime donations of $68.3 billion, followed by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates at $52.6 billion. MacKenzie Scott secures the third position with total lifetime giving of $26.4 billion, having donated an impressive 46% of her net worth, which stands at $30.9 billion.
Key Highlights from the Forbes List:
- Warren Buffett: Lifetime giving of $68.3 billion, focusing on health and poverty alleviation, representing 32% of his net worth.
- Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates: Lifetime giving of $52.6 billion, also centered on health and poverty alleviation, accounting for 28% of their net worth.
- MacKenzie Scott: Lifetime giving of $26.4 billion, with a focus on education and economic equity, donating 46% of her net worth.
- Michael Bloomberg: Lifetime giving of $25.4 billion, supporting climate change, health, and education initiatives.
- George Soros: Lifetime giving of $24.0 billion, dedicated to democracy and human rights, representing 76% of his net worth.
Other notable philanthropists on the list include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, who have donated $6.1 billion, and Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sánchez Bezos, who have given $4.7 billion.
Organizations Benefiting from Scott's Generosity
Scott has directed her donations to hundreds of organizations in 2025, with a significant emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), disaster recovery, and higher education. Among these, her donation to the Solidaire Network has sparked debate. In a blog post dated December 9, Scott mentioned that her philanthropic organization, Yield Giving, contributed to Solidaire Network, which aims to foster relationships between social movements and members to create regenerative systems rooted in love and justice.
According to tax filings and press releases, the Solidaire Network has funded groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the US Palestinian Community Network, and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM). The network is currently under investigation by both the House and Senate for alleged coordination with the terror group Hamas to initiate anti-Israel protests in the United States, as reported by Forbes.
Some of the organizations that have received donations from MacKenzie Scott include:
- 10,000 Degrees
- Howard University
- The Nature Conservancy
- UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
- Spelman College
- Global Fund for Women
- ClimateWorks Foundation
- Native Forward Scholars Fund
- Herbert H. Lehman College
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund
This extensive list underscores Scott's commitment to supporting a wide array of causes, from education and environmental conservation to social justice and community development.
