MacKenzie Scott has donated $26 billion through her philanthropic platform Yield Giving since 2020, maintaining a net worth of about $37 billion. The billionaire philanthropist, who received roughly a 4% stake in Amazon after her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, has sold or donated approximately 58 million Amazon shares. In 2025 alone, Scott gave over $7 billion, making her the largest megadonor that year, according to fortune.com.
Scott’s philanthropy is inspired by her own early struggles, including borrowing $1,000 from a college roommate to avoid dropping out. Her donations focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), education, disaster recovery, and other causes. Last fall, she gave more than $400 million to education- and DEI-focused organizations, many receiving their largest gifts ever. Scott highlighted the lasting impact of acts of kindness in an essay published on Yield Giving’s site, emphasizing support during formative years.
Scott’s giving ranks among the largest in recent history, reflecting a trend of billionaires committing substantial wealth to social causes. Her approach contrasts with traditional philanthropy by emphasizing rapid, large-scale donations to organizations addressing systemic issues. The scale and focus of her contributions have influenced philanthropic strategies and highlighted the role of private wealth in addressing social challenges.
Yield Giving’s donations have reached thousands of organizations across multiple sectors since 2020. Scott’s 42% reduction of her Amazon stake has enabled these contributions while preserving significant wealth. Her philanthropic activity continues to shape funding landscapes for DEI and education initiatives, with the 2025 total exceeding $7 billion, as reported by fortune.com.