MacKenzie Scott's approach to giving away billions was inspired by a passage from Annie Dillard's 'The Writing Life,' urging writers not to hoard their best material. Scott applied this to her philanthropy, donating over $26 billion through Yield Giving with a fast, unrestricted, and low-profile method.
MacKenzie Scott's philanthropic strategy, which has seen her donate over $26 billion to more than 2,700 organizations, is rooted in a passage from Annie Dillard's 'The Writing Life.' The book's advice to writers—to 'spend it now' rather than hoard material—resonated with Scott, influencing her approach to giving away her fortune. Scott signed the Giving Pledge in May 2019, shortly after her divorce from Jeff Bezos, which left her with a significant stake in Amazon. Her giving is characterized by speed, unrestricted checks, and minimal publicity, a style described as 'trust-based philanthropy.' Scott, a novelist herself, studied English and creative writing at Princeton under Toni Morrison, who also served as her mentor and assisted in her early career. Scott has honored Morrison through donations to historically Black colleges and universities, including a $3 million gift to Howard University to establish the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities. Despite her extensive giving, Scott's net worth remains above $36 billion due to Amazon's stock performance. She has stated her commitment to continue her philanthropic efforts until her 'safe is empty.'
MacKenzie Scott's unique, literature-inspired approach to philanthropy challenges traditional models by emphasizing speed, trust, and unrestricted giving, potentially influencing how other major donors and foundations operate.