MacKenzie Scott Foundation & Grant Explained
Updated: 04/16/2026
Updated: 04/16/2026
It’s no secret that grants are often game-changers for nonprofits. Unlike individual donations, they usually come from established foundations capable of gifting large lump sums—sums that can push an organization into a new phase of growth and impact. However, securing these grants is no easy feat. Finding the right grant foundation for your nonprofit is just the first hurdle as the application process is often complex, time-consuming, and comes with strict spending guidelines.
But what if another solution existed? What if nonprofits could be given funding in a simpler way? Enter MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving—a billionaire philanthropist and her foundation who together are transforming the grantmaking process.
Grant FAQ
How do I apply for a MacKenzie Scott (Yield Giving) grant?
There’s no standing application for Quiet Research; applications are only accepted during Yield Giving’s announced Open Calls. Check yieldgiving.com for updates on future opportunities.
What are the eligibility requirements for Yield Giving funding?
Yield Giving favors nonprofits with a multi-year track record, stable finances, measurable outcomes, and work that supports underserved communities. Past Open Calls required organizations to meet specific budget ranges and demonstrate strong impact.
When is the next Yield Giving Open Call?
Yield Giving has stated that the Open Call process is ongoing, but no new round has been officially announced. Monitor yieldgiving.com for updates.
How does Yield Giving select recipients?
Most grants are awarded through a private “Quiet Research” process where Yield Giving identifies and reaches out to organizations. Open Calls use a structured process including narrative applications, peer review, and multi-month evaluations.
Are the grants unrestricted, and how large are they?
Yes, Yield Giving provides unrestricted funding. In recent rounds, grants have typically ranged from $1 million to $2 million per organization.
What are the requirements to be considered for Yield Giving funding?
While Quiet Research criteria are not publicly detailed, common factors include a multi-year track record, stable finances, and measurable outcomes. Open Calls have included specific eligibility requirements such as budget size, community-led focus, and demonstrated impact.
How can my organization get MacKenzie Scott’s attention?
Pay attention to funding trends and themes highlighted by Yield Giving. Grants are often awarded in thematic batches, so aligning your work with current focus areas and maintaining strong impact reporting can help position your organization.
Who has MacKenzie Scott gifted to in the past?
While many recipients are publicly known, some grants remain undisclosed. When recipients choose to share their funding, details are often published on Yield Giving’s website and summarized in MacKenzie Scott’s public essays.
Who is MacKenzie Scott & what is Yield Giving?
If you like to keep tabs on the ultra-rich, MacKenzie Scott is a name you’ve likely heard. She first gained public attention as the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and, more notably, the $38 billion she received following their divorce. A sum of money that skyrocketed her to the top spot on the list of wealthiest women in the world—a list she still ranks in the top five of. Since then, she’s made quite the name for herself in the nonprofit sector. Given that she’s donated over $19 billion to 2,000 organizations since 2019, it’s safe to say she’s earned the recognition.
In 2022, following criticism over the secrecy of her donations, MacKenzie Scott founded Yield Giving with the aim of providing transparency to the causes and organizations she supports. From the beginning, Yield Giving took an untraditional approach to grantmaking by providing unrestricted funding to nonprofits, allowing them to use the money as they see fit. Fortunately for nonprofits, there is now an application process for grant consideration!
Naturally, you might be wondering, how then does Yield Giving decide who receives a grant? It’s a question you’re not alone in.
Yield Giving’s grant selection process
If you take a perusal of Yield Giving’s website, you’ll notice how bare bones it is—especially when it comes to information about their process. “Shrouded in secrecy” could honestly be the motto for this foundation. However, we do know they rely on two models for their grant selection.
The first, and most common, is their Quiet Research approach. As the name suggests, this process and all that it entails is kept close to the chest. What we know about it largely comes from past recipients: A nonprofit leader will get an unexpected call from Yield Giving, have a discussion or two, and then a generous sum of money will be dropped into their account. After that, two things are stated—use the money however your organization sees fit, and don’t come back asking for more. While this approach certainly limits the burden on nonprofits that are chosen by nixing the application process, it also restricts accessibility for those that may not be on MacKenzie Scott’s radar.
Given that fact, in 2023 Yield Giving announced their first Open Call in partnership with Lever for Change. According to Lever for Change, the inaugural round focused on “community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles.” Unlike the Quiet Research model, the Open Call included an approximately 10 hour long application process, lengthy peer evaluation, and a nine month long selection process.
Despite this intense undertaking, participants claimed they appreciated the transparency through the multiple rounds of review. And the effort paid off—big time. In 2024, Yield Giving awarded a total of $640 million to 361 organizations, which, when broken down, equated to 279 organizations receiving $2 million each and 82 organizations receiving $1 million each. In true Yield Giving fashion, this came as quite the surprise as the original goal was to award 250 organizations with $1 million each.
With such a clear penchant for extreme charity, you probably have a few questions on how your nonprofit can be considered for Yield Giving Funding.
Nonprofit grants similar to Mackenzie Scott’s Yield Giving
While MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving has redefined large-scale philanthropy, several other grantmakers offer similar opportunities for nonprofits seeking transformational funding.
| Grant / Funder | Grant Type | Typical Funding Size | Application Process | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Giving (MacKenzie Scott) | Unrestricted, trust-based philanthropy | $1M–$100M+ | Primarily invite-only; occasional open calls | Established nonprofits with strong track records and visibility |
| Coefficient Giving (Open Philanthropy) | Research-driven, high-impact funding | $100K–multi-million | Primarily invite-based; some outreach accepted | Organizations tackling large-scale systemic issues |
| Mulago Foundation | High-impact, scalable solutions funding | Six–seven figures | No unsolicited applications; invite-only | Nonprofits with proven, scalable models |
| Lever for Change / Big Bet Philanthropy | Open-call, large-scale competitions | $1M–$20M+ | Competitive application process | Nonprofits ready to scale impact significantly |
| Blue Meridian Partners | Scaling capital, long-term investment | Multi-million (often $10M+) | Invitation and due diligence process | Large nonprofits with proven, data-backed outcomes |
| Ballmer Group | Strategic, flexible funding | Multi-million | Invite-based | Organizations focused on economic mobility and education |
| Ford Foundation (BUILD Program) | Unrestricted, multi-year support | Varies (often multi-year, six–seven figures) | Invite-based | Established nonprofits needing infrastructure support |
Final thoughts
MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving are disrupting the traditional grantmaking process. While secretive, their Quiet Research removes the usual hurdles of lengthy applications, strict spending guidelines, and rigorous reporting requirements. Meanwhile, while intensive, their Open Call creates a pathway for greater accessibility and broader impact. However you slice it, it’s clear MacKenzie Scott truly cares about nonprofits and the work they do.
And while not the most transparent of foundations, Yield Giving seems to have three key takeaways for nonprofit organizations—remain mission-driven, maintain financial stability, and demonstrate measurable impact. Do that, and you may just be the surprise recipient of a life-changing grant.
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John
Letter of Appeal: The Prell Family Story To whom it may concern, My name is John Prell, and I am writing to you because our family is at our wit’s end. My daughters life changed forever in November 2023 after a simple slip-and-fall while heading to a doctor's appointment. That fall resulted in three months in the hospital, during which she suffered a stroke and struggled with weak lungs. She was placed in a medically induced coma for three days and had to undergo surgery on her right foot. She finally returned home, but life is unrecognizable. She is now struggling with mobility. She now relys on a walker, wheelchair, scooter, and a tub seat. We are currently living in a small, cramped space that cannot accommodate our medical equipment. Our goal is to raise between $750,000 and $1,250,000 to find a home with elevators and enough room to move, along with a disability-accessible minivan so we can get to our many medical appointments. The most painful part of this journey is that while we have been desperate for help, we have been repeatedly targeted by scammers. For nearly two years, we have been drained by people claiming to be associated with names like Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Alice Walton, Miriam Adelson, and Dolly Parton. We have been asked for "fees" over and over again—payments of $50, $100, $180, and even four separate $1,000 payments to someone claiming to be Miriam Adelson. We even tried a GoFundMe, but instead of donors, we were swamped by scammers claiming to be from "Fiverr" or "crowd fundraising" groups who took even more of our money. We have been told time and again that a "grant" or a massive "4 million dollar" settlement was coming, only to be asked for "one last fee." I feel so foolish for having trusted these people, but we were just hoping for one real, honest person to help us. Now, we are down to our last $180. We are exhausted, we are stressed, and we are terrified. We are looking for a real foundation or a truly kind soul who does not ask for "fees" or "advance payments." We just want to find a way for Chris and I to be able to live with dignity in a home that fits our needs. If you can help us in any way possible, please. God bless your kindness. Sincerely, John Prell Prelljohn974@gmail.comMartin Fuhrmann
Dear Sir or Madam, I was recently contacted by Ortiz Ramiro (ortiz.ramiro6604@outlook.com). He offered me to guide me through the grant writing process. Could you please confirm that this is real or please let me know, whether this is spam? Kind regards, Martin Fuhrmann Prof. Martin Fuhrmann German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Venusberg- Campus 1/99 53127 Bonn GermanyMohammed hosseini
Hello madam Mackenzie Scott we are poor family and home less and refugee afghinian in Iran we are people in family we need 15000dolars for buying little house 🏠 my number card bank is Iran it's IR210170000000366962094008Karen Pina
Hello, we are a nonprofit organization that conduits through a larger non profit as a donor advised fund. We use what funds we raise to place opioid addicts into recovery, structured housing and programs for recovery. We have several events throughout the year. Wondering if we would be able to apply with this status? Thank you. www.roarcapecod.com Established 2017 Cape Cod MassachusettsMohammed hosseini
Hello Miss Mackenzie Scott I'm your fan and lover you we are afghinian refugee in Iran and we are poor family and home less I ask you about your helpKristen Hay
Hi Nancylynn - We have several resources on securing grant funding and diversifying revenue streams below that might be helpful for you. But if you'd like to talk to a human about what's going on at present, we have a couple grant pros/consultants that we recommend. You can find that list here. - Doing This One Thing Will Help Your Nonprofit Secure Government Funding - 6 Strategies For Diversifying Revenue In Uncertain Times - Diversifying Revenue With Grants - The GRANTS Writing Formula To Secure Awards For Project GrantsNancylynn Ward, PhD
I am interested in seeking grant funding for deaf and hard of hearing education training and retraining opportunities to combat high unemployment or under-employment rates in our community, and I wondered what the best way would be to do that. I feel so discouraged, thanks to the current political environment at present. I would love to talk to someone about this. We could use the help. Thanks.Kristen Hay
You can learn more hereAlex Moreno
So- how does one access an application for a grant?Lori Astwood
This was a great read! New startup here!👋🏾 Any information I can obtain to further our cause of self reliance for differently abled people is greatly appreciated.al brown
If you build it they will come.ROBERT MWANGALA MUWELA
I have been looking for generous donors like herself but no access through which I could have reached her. I am scared of what you have highlighted above just in case I might also get hoodwinked by scammers. ThanksRose Chivens
I have been working for four years trying to get help to build a much needed Youth center in Marquette County of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Read my why on our website www.westendyouth.org We need $15,000,000 to build and creat the best Youth Center in an area where it is desperately need our kids really have nothing to occupy their time. We to mentor them to dream again and give them hope to have courage to Live and at the same time teach them the importance of Kindness and Respect.Kay Hegge
"Nonprofits must have an annual operating budget of at least $1 million and no more than $5 million for at least two of the last four fiscal years to be eligible." If we had a million dollar operating budget, our mission would be completed. I am so sorry about this requirement. A lot of good projects will never get off the ground.John
Where to start? We volunteer at a after school program. Five to 12 years old. We currently serve 125 kids , snacks provided by east Texas food bank, we help with homework, crafts and outside fun. We need funding. We waste too much time trying to get funding when we could be working with kids. We are going to expand to 300 kids! Our community is 65% Hispanic and we meet ALL of Ms Scott’s visions. Boys and Girls Club backed out on us after we purchased our building so we took the leap of faith. Oh did I mention we need funding help. This is a great program and wish we could get a second look. Thank youCyrus Williams
This is inspirational piece. Being new to development, I hunger for how to sustain our museum. This motivation helps. Thank you.Linda Cerra
Inspiring! Giving back to our communities gives such hope for the future.Vatricia A McKinney
I have been receiving text messages from someone claiming to be Ms. Scott personal assistant. Should I believe them or doI report it as a scam?Meliha Avdic
What if you've had someone contact you and claim that it's MacKenzie Scott but everything is odd, like a scam? Has anyone had experience with that?Maureen Diederich
Thank you for this article. It was very informative. Hopefully she finds us!Carlotta Blount
Thank you so much for posting this because I been searching for weeks could not determine what was correct. Very smart the way she is doing this process. It is a shame that people will criticize her because of her grant process. She has the right to decide how she gives her money. Thanks again for the greatly written article.Cynthia Haymon
Thank you for this detailed article. I have been wondering how to apply for grants from her organization since it announced her desire to assist nonprofits in underserved communities.Nancy Torrison
Thank you for this article, it has been difficult to understand how to apply for a grant, and now I know I can't so that is helpful.L. Ernestine Fields, Esq.
Thank you for a very informative article. It is very unusual NOT to have an application process in place. But for your article, I would have spent hours trying to find Mackenzie Scott's application "hidden" on the internet!Andrea H
Great article. I hope she stays strong and keep doing what she is doing. Not having a website etc might be a good idea - then she is not bombarded with reuests - allows her to be free to do what she wants.Pamela Van Cortlandt
Thank you for your very informative article.Jessica Detor
Would be great if there was a way to get topics shared for funding interest. We have a mental health access issue in my area for youth that has recently taken lives by suicide. (I know this is not just the case in my town).Christine Pharr
I wish that I had a way to get her attention because I lead a small college that is majority minority, that has very under resourced students and that is in Milwaukee which is known as the most segregated city In the country. We fit the demographic of everything she is funding and yet I don’t know how to get her attention. I would love to talk to her if she would ever give me the opportunity. My school is Mount Mary University and we are the number one university in the midwest for social mobility. This means we graduate a higher percentage of low income students Than anyone else in the Midwest. I would appreciate any advice about how to get her or her advisers to notice us because we are doing what she values!How Mackenzie Scott Managed Her Money... | Qrius
[…] nearly all donors operating on a big scale, she has no offices and, so far, no website. She’s been criticized for a lack of transparency, especially after she didn’t divulge details […]Shoshana Reuben
There is a scam foundation site impersonating her and her husband that people should be aware of. Thank you for putting here that she does not have a website or application process. That fake site wants the grant writer to include a copy of their driver's license! No telling how many other fake sites are out there because she doesn't have a real site.Vincent D.Stravino
Good article about a secretive but generous philanthropy. Informative and well written.