MacKenzie Scott, who is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated an estimated $26.2 billion to charitable organisations over the past five years, which includes $7 billion in last year alone, as reported by Fortune.
However, despite the scale of her contributions, Scott did not feature on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's, annual Philanthropy 50 list of America's biggest donors in 2026.
The reason has less to do with the amount she has given and more with how she approaches philanthropy.
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Scott and her representatives declined to provide the Chronicle with details about the money transferred to her donor-advised funds, leaving the publication without the information it needed to include her in its ranking.
Why Did MacKenzie Scott Miss The Philanthropy 50 List?
The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual ranking is based on cash and stock donations and pledges made to eligible nonprofit organisations during the previous calendar year. The publication contacts charities, donors and their representatives to establish the value of major contributions.
Gifts to family foundations and donor-advised funds are included in the ranking, but money subsequently distributed by these grant-making vehicles is excluded to prevent double-counting.
Scott's decision not to disclose the relevant details meant the Chronicle could not fully account for her contributions under its methodology. Her absence, therefore, does not mean she gave less than the donors who made the list.
Michael Bloomberg topped the 2026 ranking after donating $4.3 billion in 2025, followed by Bill Gates, who gave $3.7 billion.
“It was a positive year for charitable giving, with virtually all categories of recipient organizations achieving solid or better growth at the aggregate level,” Gabe Cooper, vice chair of Giving USA Foundation and founder and CEO of Virtuous, said in a statement.
What Shapes MacKenzie Scott's Approach To Philanthropy?
Scott's approach to charitable giving places less emphasis on publicity and more on getting money to organisations working on social issues. Through Yield Giving, which she established in 2022, she has supported causes including education, housing, disaster recovery, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Her donations are also notable for being largely unrestricted. This allows recipient organisations to decide how the money should be used, rather than requiring them to follow detailed conditions imposed by the donor.
Scott has previously spoken about the impact of receiving help during difficult periods in her own life. She recalled how a college roommate gave her $1,000 to help her avoid dropping out, while a dentist provided free dental treatment after learning that she could not afford it.
Reflecting on the lasting impact of such gestures, Scott has written about how acts of kindness can create a ripple effect that is difficult to measure.
How Much Has MacKenzie Scott Donated, And What Is Her Net Worth?
Scott's charitable contributions have not eliminated her billionaire status. According to a Fortune's report in April this year, her net worth still stands at nearly $42.7 billion.
She received roughly a 4% stake in Amazon as part of her 2019 divorce settlement with Bezos.
Since then, she has reduced her holdings by selling or donating shares. Fortune reported that she had sold or donated around 58 million Amazon shares, worth approximately $12.6 billion as of late 2025.
After her divorce, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of her wealth.
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Her continued wealth reflects, in part, the value of her remaining investments, including Amazon shares. As a result, even after donating more than $26 billion, her fortune remains substantial.
Scott's absence from the Philanthropy 50 highlights a distinction between the amount a philanthropist gives and the amount a publication can independently verify under its ranking rules.
Her giving has reached billions of dollars, but her preference for limited disclosure means her contributions are not fully reflected in the Chronicle's annual list.
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