MacKenzie Scott dominated charitable giving in 2025, Jeff Bezos' ex-wife contributed one-third of all megagifts as donations touched $617.2 billion

In 2025, U.S. charitable giving reached a record high of $617.2 billion, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year, according to Giving USA and Indiana University. This growth was driven in part by a surge in donations from high-net-worth individuals, with MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, playing a central role. Scott contributed $7 billion in 2025 alone, representing one-third of all megagifts made that year. Her cumulative giving over five years now totals $26.2 billion, distributed across thousands of organizations focused on causes such as housing, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and disaster recovery initiatives.

Scott’s approach to philanthropy is characterized by large, unrestricted grants with minimal reporting requirements, a model that has drawn both praise and skepticism. A three-year study by The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) found that nonprofits receiving Scott’s gifts reported improved financial stability and confidence. However, some foundation leaders expressed concerns about potential challenges, such as the so-called “funding cliff” after receiving a large one-time gift. Despite these concerns, the CEP study found that only 7% of nonprofit recipients anticipated significant difficulty in sustaining their initiatives.

Scott’s giving has not been without controversy, particularly due to its scale and the lack of public transparency. While she has been omitted from some high-profile donor rankings, such as the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy 50 list, her impact remains significant. Her approach has sparked broader conversations about large unrestricted donations strengthening nonprofits. As the U.S. philanthropy landscape continues to evolve, Scott’s contributions underscore ultra-high-net-worth individuals shaping trends.