MacKenzie Scott Gives $1.7 Billion to Historically Black Colleges and Other Groups

MacKenzie Scott, one of the world’s richest women, pledged one year ago to give away her money “until the safe is empty.”

On Tuesday, Ms. Scott, an author and philanthropist who was once married to Jeff Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, said she had so far given $1.7 billion to a long list of institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities as well as organizations that support women’s rights, L.G.B.T.Q. equality, and efforts to fight climate change and racial inequities.

“I gave each a contribution and encouraged them to spend it on whatever they believe best serves their efforts,” Ms. Scott said in a Medium post in which she listed more than 100 organizations that received donations.

Ms. Scott, who was married to Mr. Bezos for 25 years, is estimated to have a net worth of $36 billion and is the fourth-richest woman in the world, according to Forbes. Ms. Scott, 50, received 4 percent of Amazon’s shares as part of the couple’s divorce settlement.