The philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed Tuesday that she donated $7.1 billion (€6.1 billion) to nonprofits in 2025.

Her donations this year mark a significant increase in annual giving over previous years — which she reported as $2.6 billion in 2024 and $2.1 billion in 2023.

Scott is one of the richest people in the world, and Forbes estimates her net worth at around $33 billion, largely stemming from her stake in Amazon.

She was married to Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos from 1993 to 2019.

Here are the key points:

• Scott disclosed $7.17 billion in donations this year
• That brings her total philanthropic giving since 2019 to $26.3 billion
• Scott donated to groups that work to address climate change, fight for equality
• More than a dozen historically Black colleges say they together received a total of $783 million from Scott this year 

 

Historically Black colleges and universities report major new funding

In advance of Scott’s public announcement, more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) said they had received a combined $783 million (€673 million) from her this year, according to research by Rutgers University professor Marybeth Gasman.

Some institutions were first-time recipients, while others that had previously received support did not receive funds in this round. Gasman has tracked $1.35 billion (€1.16 billion) in Scott’s giving to HBCUs since 2020.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) confirmed receiving $70 million (€60 million), which it plans to invest in a collective endowment for participating HBCUs. The Native Forward Scholars Fund, which provides scholarships to Native American students, also received $50 million (€43 million).

Scott avoids spotlight despite large donations

Scott's giving model remains notable because her donations come without applications, restrictions, or reporting requirements. She has no public-facing foundation or office, and organizations are typically notified of a gift through intermediaries, according to CBS News.

A 2023 study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that recipients generally did not struggle to manage the influx of unrestricted funds and did not see other donors retreat as a result.

California nonprofit 10,000 Degrees said it received a $42 million gift earlier this year. Its CEO, Kim Mazzuca, said she confirmed the amount after being notified by a phone call. The gift is roughly twice the organization's annual budget.

In her essay, Scott contrasted her multibillion-dollar total with the scale of everyday charitable acts. She referenced US data from 2020, citing "$471 billion" in charitable donations, along with billions in remittances, crowdfunding, volunteer labor, and service-sector wages.

Scott also described early experiences in which she received help, including free dental care and a loan from a college roommate. 

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar