Yield Giving, the philanthropic organization led by MacKenzie Scott, announced on Tuesday that it has awarded $11 million in grants to several nonprofit organizations across Michigan. Scott, a celebrated novelist and philanthropist formerly married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has been on a mission to donate a significant portion of her wealth to charitable causes. Yield Giving’s open call specifically targeted nonprofits that are “community-led with missions to advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means,” as detailed on the organization’s website.
Scott’s philanthropic journey has been marked by her commitment to dispersing her fortune for the greater good. By the end of 2023, Yield Giving had distributed “$17 billion — nearly half her fortune — to more than 2,300 nonprofit organizations,” showcasing Scott’s dedication to her cause.
The latest round of grants totaling $640 million will benefit over 300 organizations nationwide, with Michigan nonprofits being significant recipients. Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations. In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.”
Among the recipients is the Detroit Justice Center (DJC), which has been granted $2 million, the largest gift in its nearly six-year history. The DJC acknowledged the significance of this contribution, especially considering the recent decline in philanthropic support. “It comes at a time when there has been a significant rollback from 2020’s outpouring of philanthropic support for Black-led organizations fighting against the criminal punishment system,” the DJC stated.
Other Detroit-based organizations, including the Downtown Boxing Gym, Detroit People’s Platform, and InsideOut Literary Arts, have each received $2 million. The Avalon Healing Center, also based in Detroit, was awarded $1 million and is dedicated to providing services for those affected by sexual violence, as well as promoting public awareness and social change.
Furthermore, the Peace Neighborhood Center, serving Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, received $2 million to support its mission of providing programs for individuals impacted by social and economic challenges, including “intergenerational poverty, racial inequities, and trauma,” as per the center’s website.
This series of grants from Yield Giving not only underscores Scott’s philanthropic vision but also illuminates the pivotal role these organizations play in nurturing and advancing communities across Michigan.
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