Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott recently delivered significant financial boosts to two vital organizations: The Trevor Project, a national hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, and Elizabeth City State University, a historically Black university in North Carolina.

A New Wave of Giving

Scott, whose vast fortune stems largely from her former marriage to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has become known for her impactful, often unannounced, philanthropic donations. In 2025 alone, she gave over $7 billion to nonprofits, demonstrating a consistent commitment to a wide array of causes.

Her latest gifts underscore her strategy of providing substantial, unrestricted funding to organizations she believes are making a difference. These donations aim to provide stability and accelerate momentum for groups serving marginalized communities and advancing educational opportunities.

Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth

The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, announced Monday it received $45 million from Scott at the end of 2025. This marks the largest single gift in the organization's history, arriving at a critical juncture.

The donation comes after a challenging period for the nonprofit, which faced internal management turmoil, a series of layoffs, and a significant loss of federal funding. In July, the Trump administration ended specific support for gay, trans, and gender nonconforming young people who called the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

This policy change cost The Trevor Project $25 million in funding. The organization had been staffing the 988 Press 3 option, which was specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ youth, serving approximately 250,000 callers through that channel. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 1.5 million contacts were routed through the overall 988 service between September 2022 and July 2025.

Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, recounted their surprise upon hearing about the gift, saying, "I literally could not believe it and it took some time. I actually gasped." Scott had previously supported the organization with a $6 million gift in 2020.

After the loss of 988 funding, The Trevor Project launched an emergency fundraiser, which has so far brought in $20 million. Their independent hotline continues to serve about 250,000 young people annually. Scott Bertani, director of advocacy at the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, emphasized the unique role of their services.

"Their services fill a gap that generic crisis lines simply aren’t designed to meet, particularly for young people facing identity-based stress, isolation or rejection," Bertani stated. The organization's budget had swelled from around $4 million in 2016 to over $83 million in 2023, according to public tax returns, before the recent downsizing. Black confirmed the project's 2026 budget is $47 million, reflecting a more focused approach.

"We are a smaller organization than we were before," Black said. "And we will continue to be really intentional and really mindful around growth and what growth really means for the organization." Scott's representatives made it clear the gift was intended for long-term impact.

Historic Boost for Elizabeth City State University

Meanwhile, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), a historically Black university (HBCU) in northeastern North Carolina, celebrated a $42 million gift from Scott. Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced the donation during the university's Founders Day Convocation, coinciding with ECSU's 135th anniversary.

This donation marks a significant moment for ECSU and the broader HBCU community. University officials confirmed it is the largest dollar-per-student gift any HBCU has received from Scott's recent rounds of giving. It also nearly triples the amount ECSU previously received from Scott in 2020.

The timing of the gift is particularly impactful as ECSU begins implementing its new five-year strategic plan, ASCEND 2030. Chancellor Hargrove expressed profound gratitude, highlighting the recognition of HBCUs' vital role.

"I want to express our deepest gratitude to Mackenzie Scott for this remarkable act of generosity and for her recognition of the critical role that HBCUs play in expanding opportunity and strengthening communities," Hargrove said. "Her investment affirms what we already know: that institutions like ECSU are powerful catalysts for change."

University officials plan to allocate the funding across several key priorities. These include establishing endowed scholarships to enhance student learning and success, creating endowments for innovative academic programs, and upgrading essential academic, athletic, and residential infrastructure. The gift represents not just financial support but also a vote of confidence in ECSU's future.

Founded in 1891, Elizabeth City State has a long history as a gateway to higher education for Black students and families. Hargrove emphasized that such gifts accelerate progress. "This gift allows institutions like Elizabeth City State University to move boldly toward the future while remaining grounded in the mission that has guided us for 135 years."

These substantial gifts from MacKenzie Scott underscore her continued influence in philanthropy, providing crucial support to organizations navigating complex challenges and striving for long-term impact.