MacKenzie Scott donates over $122M to Big Brothers Big Sisters
MacKenzie Scott's investment is the largest donation from a single individual in the organization’s history
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted $122.6 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), which will help transform mentorship in communities across the country.
The unprecedented gift will better position BBBSA and 38 local agencies in "furthering its mission to ensure every young person has access to powerful mentoring experiences that empower them for success in school, life and career," the organization announced Tuesday.
"When I got the call, I was sitting in my kitchen and my jaw dropped in shocked and disbelief," Big Brothers Big Sisters of America CEO Artis Stevens told FOX Business. "I actually got up and started dancing, and my girls yelled to my wife that something was wrong with dad."
It was the largest donation from a single individual in the organization’s history.
"The message her generosity sends is that helping anyone, can help us all," Stevens said. "And that’s the basis of our work, connecting youth with a caring adult mentor to provide support and empowerment."
"We are also committed to ensuring that this moment elevates our entire network," Stevens added. "The national office has plans to invest in nationwide capacity building services to support all agencies."
The funds will help the organization expand its ability to "match more young people with caring, adult mentors" through additional staff, resources and training.
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The charity says it's aiming to "close the gap on the estimated one in three youth who lack a positive, sustained mentor in their lives."
MacKenzie-Scott arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP / AP Images)
Since 2020, Scott has given an estimated $12.5 billion to at least 1,253 nonprofits, many of which aim to help low-income and underserved populations.
Her latest gift to BBBSA follows three other nine-figure donations she gave to large national charities with local affiliates in March.
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They include $275 million to Planned Parenthood Federation of America for its national office and 21 of its local affiliates, $436 million to Habitat for Humanity International and 84 of its U.S. affiliates, and $281 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs America and 62 of its local chapters.
So far Scott has given at least $1.5 billion in the first five months of 2022, according to roughly 30 nonprofits that have announced Scott gifts this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.