Welcome to the first edition of Cause & Capital.
My goal: Inform your giving strategies.
Every month in Cause & Capital, I break down a brand’s corporate giving campaign or one of the world’s leading philanthropists—uncovering what worked, why it worked, and how you can apply those insights to your own cause investments, whether you’re giving as a brand or an individual.
Let’s get into it.
Most billionaire philanthropists spend years vetting organizations, demanding detailed reports, and slapping their names on buildings.
MacKenzie Scott does the opposite.
And it’s changing how we think about strategic giving.
Since 2019, she’s given away $16.5 billion faster than most foundations can process applications.
Today, we’re breaking down exactly how she’s doing it and what you can steal from her approach.
Who She Is (And Why It Matters)
MacKenzie Scott is a billionaire philanthropist.
But she’s also the architect of a disruptive giving strategy. Since her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019, Scott has given away $16.5 billion to 1,800+ organizations. But here’s what makes her approach revolutionary:
She’s doing everything the philanthropy establishment says you shouldn’t do.
No fancy galas. No naming rights. No multi-year “due diligence” processes that drain nonprofit resources.
And she’s proving her approach might be more effective.
The Big Promise
Scott’s implicit promise to the sector: “What if we treated nonprofit leaders like the experts they are, instead of supplicants begging for scraps?”
While most major donors spend years vetting organizations and demanding detailed reports, Scott researches quietly, gives generously, and gets out of the way.
The promise to recipients: unrestricted funding with no strings attached, allowing organizations to focus on their mission instead of donor management.
Full Breakdown of the Strategy
Cause Selection: She focuses on organizations addressing systemic inequities: racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equity, economic mobility, and democracy. She prioritizes groups led by people closest to the problems being solved.
Partnership Approach: She doesn’t partner in the traditional sense. Scott’s team conducts research independently, often surprising organizations with unsolicited gifts. No applications, no pitch meetings, no donor cultivation events required.
Channels Used:
Direct outreach through her team
Medium blog posts announcing gift batches
Minimal traditional media engagement
No social media campaigns or publicity tours
Scale, Spend, and Reach:
$16.5 billion given since 2019
1,800+ organizations funded
Average gift size: ~$9 million
Geographic spread: All 50 states plus international
What Actually Worked (And Why)
1. Speed Creates Impact
Traditional foundations can take 12-18 months to make decisions. Scott’s team moves in weeks. This speed allows organizations to seize opportunities instead of waiting for permission.
2. Unrestricted Funding Changes Everything
95% of Scott’s gifts come with no restrictions. Organizations can invest in infrastructure, pay competitive salaries, and build reserves (things restricted grants never allow).
3. Trust Multiplies Results
By trusting nonprofit leaders to know their work best, Scott eliminates the overhead of extensive reporting and compliance. Organizations spend money on mission, not donor relations.
4. Radical Transparency
Scott’s Medium posts detail her giving philosophy and recipient lists. This transparency builds credibility without requiring individual organizations to publicize their gifts.
What Fell Flat, Felt Performative, or Didn’t Land
1. Limited Relationship Building
Some critics argue Scott’s hands-off approach misses opportunities for deeper partnership and strategic collaboration.
2. No Systematic Follow-Up
Scott’s approach makes it difficult to measure long-term impact or replicate successful strategies.
Despite good intentions, Scott’s gifts still skew toward established organizations with strong research profiles, potentially missing grassroots innovators.
3. Sustainability Questions
One-time large gifts can create dependency. Some organizations struggle with what happens after the Scott funding ends.
Lessons Whether You’re A Brand Or Individual
1. Speed Demonstrates Respect
Quick decisions show you value nonprofits leaders’ time, expertise, and resources.
2. Trust Your Partner’s Expertise
Instead of dictating program details, ask: “What would success look like with unrestricted support?”
3. Relationships Aren’t Always Necessary
Sometimes the best thing you can do is give and get out of the way.
Thanks and till next month!
Christine