SEOBLOGREEN - A staggering sum. $45 million. That is the number Mackenzie Scott handed to a California nonprofit. It was The Trevor Project. A lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth. The donation is the largest single gift in the organization's history. It came at a critical moment.
The $45 Million Gasps
Jaymes Black literally gasped. Black is the CEO of The Trevor Project. The news was unbelievable. It took a moment to sink in. Scott's team was clear. This gift was for long-term impact. Not just a quick fix. They called it a "turnaround story."
The Trevor Project has faced immense challenges. Internal turmoil. Leadership changes. Rounds of layoffs. But the biggest blow was external. They lost a major source of federal funding. $25 million gone. That funding supported specialized crisis services. Services for LGBTQ+ youth on the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The program was vital. It served about 250,000 callers annually. It ended last summer. A massive gap was left in critical care.
Scott's donation arrived at the end of 2025. It wasn't just money. It was a statement. A vote of confidence. A bridge over troubled water.
Unrestricted Philanthropy: Scott's Signature
Mackenzie Scott is known for this. Large, unrestricted donations. No strings attached. She trusts the organizations. She believes they know best how to use the funds. Her focus is always on equity and social justice. This is not her first gift to The Trevor Project. She gave them $6 million back in 2020. She donated over $7 billion to nonprofits in 2025 alone.
Her fortune comes largely from her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. She is now one of the world's most powerful philanthropists. Her giving is strategic but fast. It is designed to empower. To stabilize groups on the front lines. The Trevor Project needs stabilization now.
#### Rebuilding After the Funding Cut
The federal funding cut was devastating. It forced the nonprofit to scale back operations. Their budget was huge. It had grown from $4 million in 2016 to over $83 million in 2023. But the instability was real. The loss of $25 million was crippling.
CEO Jaymes Black now has a new budget plan. The 2026 budget is set at $47 million. The organization is smaller now. More intentional about growth. Scott's $45 million is a massive injection. It nearly equals their entire annual operating budget. This gives them space. Space to plan thoughtfully. Space to strengthen their core services.
The Trevor Project runs an independent, 24-hour crisis hotline. They provide digital crisis services. They reach an estimated 250,000 young people every year. These services fill a critical need. Generic crisis lines are not always equipped. They struggle with identity-based stress. With isolation. With rejection. LGBTQ+ youth face a public health crisis. They are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The mental health crisis is getting worse. Anxiety, depression, and suicidality are all increasing.
#### A Commitment to Long-Term Impact
Black's team is committed to great care. They will not rush. They plan to roadmap a strategic investment plan. The focus is clear. Strengthening crisis services. Improving long-term sustainability. Accelerating their mission. A world where every LGBTQ+ young person feels loved. They want every youth to feel supported.
Scott's gift signals a powerful new chapter. The $45 million is a shield. It protects the organization's essential work. It is a loud message to the world. A message that their lives matter. A quiet act of extraordinary generosity. A billionaire's decision changes a million lives. The turnaround story has begun.
Source: sfchronicle.com
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