Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $45 million to LGBTQ+ nonprofit The Trevor Project. Scott, Jeff Bezos ex-wife, continues to up her philanthropic portfolio with a donation to the organization which was established in 1998. Scott is reported to have received close to $40 billion in her divorce from Bezos. Since then, she has donated millions to various organizations and efforts via her philanthropic organization Yield Giving.
Yield Giving has donated more than $26 billion in financial aid to non-profits like The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, Lambda Legal, Movement Advancement Project, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and more. All donations are transparently documented on her website.
The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention nonprofit focused on raising awareness for LGBTQ+ issues, conducting research, and offering community support, crisis services resources and education. For those seeking help, confidential crisis services offering consults from trained counselors are available 24/7.
The donation follows the Trump Administration’s recent federal funding cuts to LGBTQ+ crisis services like the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Trevor Project’s CEO Jaymes Black recalled gasping upon first hearing of the donation. “At a time when many LGBTQ+ young people are facing heightened stigma, political hostility, and mental health challenges, MacKenzie Scott’s support sends a powerful message,” Black said. “LGBTQ+ young people matter, and the world is full of people fighting for their safety and well-being.”
LGBTQ+ support and crisis services are more essential now than ever. Following Trump’s 2024 election win, The Trevor Project saw a 700% increase in calls, chats, and texts to their crisis services.
