economy
MacKenzie Scott gave California public education $461 million—and let the recipients decide how to spend every dollar
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott had her banner giving year in 2025, with an eye-popping total of $7 billion in donations across a variety of organizations. In all, she’s donated more than $26 billion in just the past few years.
TL;DR
- MacKenzie Scott donated $461 million to California public education institutions from 2021 to 2025.
- Donations were unrestricted, allowing institutions to use funds as they determined best.
- California State University, Northridge (CSUN) received the largest cumulative amount, totaling $103 million.
- UC Merced received $58 million, primarily for student success, faculty research, and capital projects.
- Other recipients included California State University, East Bay, community colleges, and K-12 school districts.
- Scott stated a preference for donating to 'mission-aligned ventures' and 'generally undercapitalized groups'.