MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has further reduced her holdings in Amazon. Scott sold 11% of his Amazon shares (over $8 billion) on Sept. 30, according to a recent filing on Nov. 8. Since her divorce from Bezos in 2019, Scott has sold or donated approximately 255 million Amazon shares. These shares, valued at approximately $37 billion at the time of the sale, represent almost two-thirds of total Amazon assets, making him one of the most generous living donors in the United States.

Scott initially received nearly 400 million shares of Amazon stock as part of his divorce settlement, and over the past six years, he has actively supported charities and nonprofits through stock sales and donations. Forbes recently estimated his net worth had fallen to US$30 billion from US$38 billion a week ago, significantly lower than his 2021 peak of US$59 billion. If Scott had kept her shares rather than donating or selling them, her fortune would have reached nearly $82 billion, putting her among the world’s 20 richest people and the second-richest woman.

While Scott doesn’t often discuss his philanthropic work, he does share updates on his Giving Giving website that list donations and donations to various causes. In a December 2022 article, he explained that advice and insights from others, including his team and the nonprofits he supports, help shape his approach to giving. Its platform aims to communicate philanthropic goals in an accessible way.

Scott’s recent contributions reflect his ongoing commitment to giving. This year, he donated $1.5 million to the Mni Sota Fund, which supports urban Indigenous communities in Minnesota. He also donated $10 million to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs in Georgia in August, and made his second donation to that organization in October 2024 by donating $15 million to Coastal Enterprises in Maine. Forbes reports that Scott rarely makes his donations public unless requested by the organization receiving the donation. Each year, Yield Announces new donations through its website, usually toward the end of the year. Some of the shares he recently sold may have been destined for similar charitable contributions.

To date, Scott has donated approximately $17.3 billion to more than 2,300 organizations. The remaining value of the $37 billion raised from Amazon stock sales could be held in donor-advised funds or other accounts earmarked for future charitable giving, and some shares have likely already been sold.

Scott’s giving style has attracted attention for its simplicity and impact on smaller charities. Unlike many philanthropists, Scott does not actively apply for grants. But the Open Call initiative provided $640 million in funding to 361 organizations this year, giving them the flexibility to use the funds as needed. This unrestricted style of giving has allowed smaller charities to make a significant impact. For example, Dianne Calvi, CEO of Village Enterprises, a nonprofit organization focused on alleviating poverty in rural Africa, noted that Scott’s $7 million donation last year boosted the organization’s credibility and opened doors for additional funding.

Scott continues to shape the world of philanthropy by strengthening organizations and meeting the diverse needs of society at scale with his unique and impactful approach.

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