Archive · 5 Sep 2026
MacKenzie Scott’s HBCU Giving Surpasses $1 Billion Milestone
MacKenzie Scott is a very wealthy philanthropist who gives money to charities.
She received part of Amazon when she divorced Jeff Bezos in 2019.
She has donated more than $1 billion to historically Black colleges and universities.
One reported gift of $42 million went to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina.
Her charity, Yield Giving, has provided more than $26.3 billion to nonprofit groups.
These groups work on issues such as education, health, the environment, and disaster recovery.
Scott usually gives organizations money without telling them exactly how to spend it.
Reports give different estimates of her remaining wealth and the amount publicly detailed on Yield Giving’s website.
MacKenzie Scott’s donations to Historically Black colleges and universities have surpassed $1 billion.
A reported $42 million gift to Elizabeth City State University pushed her HBCU giving past the milestone.
Scott’s total charitable giving through Yield Giving has exceeded $26.3 billion since 2020.
Her estimated net worth ranges from $32.5 billion, according to Forbes, to $37 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Scott received a 4% Amazon stake in her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos and has since reduced her holdings.
- Who
- MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
- What
- Scott surpassed $1 billion in donations to Historically Black colleges and universities and has given more than $26.3 billion through Yield Giving.
- When
- The reports cite donations made since 2020, including figures from 2025 and a report published in June 2026.
- Where
- The donations have gone to nonprofits across the United States, including Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina and Howard University.
- Why
- Scott has pledged to give away the majority of her wealth and supports causes including education, diversity, equity and inclusion, health, disaster recovery, community development, and environmental protection.
- HBCU giving
- More than $1 billion donated to Historically Black colleges and universities.
- Elizabeth City State University gift
- A reported $42 million donation pushed Scott’s HBCU giving past $1 billion.
- Total giving
- Yield Giving donations exceeded $26.3 billion across thousands of nonprofits.
- Net worth estimates
- Bloomberg estimated Scott’s wealth at $37 billion; Forbes estimated it at $32.5 billion.
- Amazon stake
- Scott received a 4% Amazon stake worth about $36 billion in her 2019 divorce settlement.
- Amazon shares held
- A September 30, 2025 SEC filing reportedly showed Scott held 81.1 million Amazon shares.
- Giving approach
- Scott’s reported “no strings attached” donations allow recipient nonprofits to decide how to use the funds.