New York : Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $20 million to Active Minds, a US non-profit focused on youth mental health, marking the largest single contribution in the organisation’s history. In keeping with Scott’s philanthropic model, the grant is unrestricted, allowing Active Minds to decide how the money should be used rather than tying it to a specific programme or campaign. Scott had previously donated $4 million to the organisation in 2021.
Part of the money will go towards programmes already running in schools, colleges and universities, including the organisation’s Mental Health Advocacy Academy for secondary school students and its Mental Health Advocacy Institute for higher education students. Both initiatives are designed to build awareness around mental health, develop leadership skills and encourage young people to lead conversations in their communities.
According to reported CDC data for 2023, about one in five American high school students had seriously considered suicide, while a significant number also reported making plans to attempt it. Separate national health data from the same year suggested that roughly one in five adolescents aged 12 to 17 had recently experienced symptoms of anxiety, with depression affecting a similar share.
Since 2020, Scott has given away around $26 billion, making her one of the world’s biggest individual philanthropists. Much of that funding has been channelled through Yield Giving, with Scott continuing to favour unrestricted grants that leave recipient organisations free to decide where the money is most needed. According to a 2026 Forbes analysis, Scott has donated nearly half of her personal fortune.
Youth mental health is only one part of Scott’s broader philanthropic work. Earlier this year, Meals on Wheels America received $70 million to support services for older people, including meal deliveries, welfare checks and social support. Red Lake Nation College in Minnesota received $72 million, while Elizabeth City State University was awarded $42 million, taking Scott’s total giving to historically Black colleges and universities to more than $1 billion.
Read Also : Israel Shares Intel On Alleged Iranian Assassination Plan Targeting Trump
-
-
-
-
