BREAKING THE MOLD: The Transformative Effect of MacKenzie Scott’s Big Gifts

MacKenzie Scott has now given more than $19 billion away in less than five years. Her unique approach to philanthropy — featuring large, unrestricted gifts with minimal reporting requirements — has challenged traditional grantmaking norms and raised questions about the impact of this approach on nonprofits and the communities they serve. Join us for an in-depth discussion about the impact and implications of Scott’s giving for nonprofits and philanthropy, featuring findings from the third and final report in The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s (CEP) comprehensive three-year study. The new report analyzes survey responses from hundreds of nonprofit and foundation leaders as well as financial data from both Scott grant recipients and comparable nonprofits. CEP is simultaneously releasing a compendium of seven in-depth stories from nonprofit recipients themselves, revealing an inside look at the impact of receiving a gift from Scott. On this free webinar, we’ll examine how Scott’s nonprofit recipients have fared financially, whether they have experienced “funding cliffs” or difficulty fundraising, and evidence of impact on organizations, programs, and leaders. We’ll also discuss foundation leaders’ perceptions of her influence on their practices and what lessons might be drawn from her approach. Following a presentation of the findings, a panel discussion will feature a nonprofit leader that received Scott funding, a foundation leader, and the leader of Lever for Change, the organization administering Scott’s Yield Giving program.

Panelists:
Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Vice President, Research, CEP
Ann Stern, President and CEO, Houston Endowment
Cecilia Conrad, CEO, Lever for Change
Kimberly Lewis, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of East Texas
Phil Buchanan, President, CEP (moderator)