Two Pacific Northwest nonprofits are among the latest recipients of money from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Two nonprofits operating in Oregon and Washington recently received news that they are among nearly 200 organizations across the country receiving funding from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott this year.

Craft3, a nonprofit community development organization in the Pacific Northwest, will receive $15 million. It is Scott’s organization’s second major grant, adding to the $10 million he received in 2020.

Scott also plans to donate $1.5 million to The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a nonprofit that serves 57 tribes in Oregon, Washington and other western states.

In a blog post Wednesday on her Yield Giving website, Scott announced that she was giving a total of $2 billion to 199 organizations. In total, Scott has given away $19.2 billion so far, starting in 2019 after she divorced Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest men in the world.

Scott said, “Approximately 75% of them are nonprofit organizations that support the economic security and opportunities of struggling people by improving access to affordable housing, jobs that provide stability for them and their families, child development and post-secondary education.” Health and financial advice, business coaching and low-interest loans with a focus on increasing economic potential and building wealth.”

She also shared information about changing her approach to giving.

“I asked the investment team to help me manage the assets I’m working on, gifting them to source funds and companies focused on for-profit solutions to these challenges,” Scott said.

In her blog post, Scott further explained that the change was aimed at maximizing help to people and groups that need it, rather than lining the pockets of money managers.

“When I give gifts, I would rather withdraw money from a portfolio of investments in mission-driven ventures rather than withdraw money from a bank account or a stock portfolio that increases the wealth and influence of leaders who already have it. with leaders from the populations they serve or from generally undercapitalized groups like women and people of color,” Scott said.

Scott’s gifts this month follow an earlier round of donations in March. In this round, it distributed $640 million to 361 nonprofits. Four organizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington received gifts. This included $2 million for Raphael House of Portland, $2 million for Familias en Accion, $1 million for Jackson Street Youth Services and $2 million for the Council for the Homeless.