MacKenzie Scott Foundation & Grant Explained

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

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.

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.