Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has announced an “open call” for grant applications, saying she aims to donate $250 million to small nonprofits.
Scott plans to make $1 million donations through her Yield Giving platform to 250 nonprofits whose annual operating budgets are generally between $1 million and $5 million, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
This is the first time Scott is soliciting applications for funding. Previously, her team would decide which potential grant recipients to contact.
For this round, prospective grantees must apply by May 5 and complete their applications by June 12. They will be winnowed down to 1,000 this fall, from whom 250 winners will be selected and announced early next year.
To date, Scott has given away more than $14 billion to 1,600 nonprofits, the AP said. The gifts are documented on the Yield Giving website.
They include grants to two nonprofits based in Lancaster: Community First Fund ($10 million) and YWCA Lancaster ($2 million).
In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region received $1.1 million. Its service footprint encompasses Cumberland, Dauphin and Lancaster counties.
