Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $45 million to The Trevor Project, marking the largest single contribution in the organization’s 27-year history as it navigates a massive surge in demand for LGBTQ+ youth crisis services. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, characterized the gift as “transformational,” noting that it arrives at a critical juncture for the nonprofit’s mission to provide life-saving interventions.
A Historic Milestone for LGBTQ+ Crisis Intervention
This record-breaking endowment follows Scott’s previous $6 million contribution to the organization during the first Trump administration. Scott, an early Amazon employee who divorced founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, has drastically scaled her philanthropic reach in recent years. In 2025, her total donations to various nonprofit sectors exceeded $7 billion, underscoring her position as one of the world’s most prolific donors.
“At a time when many LGBTQ+ young people are facing heightened stigma, political hostility, and mental health challenges, MacKenzie Scott’s support sends a powerful message,” Black stated in a recent blog post. “LGBTQ+ young people matter, and the world is full of people fighting for their safety and well-being.”
Responding to a 700% Surge in Emergency Outreach
The necessity for such a substantial financial injection is underscored by a dramatic rise in service utilization. Following the 2024 election, The Trevor Project reported a staggering 700% increase in volume across its call, chat, and text platforms. Similar spikes in outreach occurred following the last inauguration and in the wake of the U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling, which upheld Tennessee’s restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.
The organization’s internal data highlights the severity of the current mental health landscape: approximately 45% of LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in the United States have seriously considered suicide. The Trevor Project focuses its resources on these high-risk populations to mitigate the impact of systemic stigma and lack of support.
Scaling Global Support and Operational Sustainability
The $45 million infusion provides the organization with the capital necessary to expand its reach and modernize its infrastructure. Black intends to use the gift as a “powerful step toward building on our sustainable capacity,” ensuring that crisis services can scale globally and innovate to meet youth wherever they are in need.
Over the coming months, the nonprofit will execute a strategic investment plan. This roadmap prioritizes the fortification of core crisis services and the acceleration of long-term sustainability goals. Beyond her support for LGBTQ+ youth, Scott’s recent philanthropic portfolio includes significant multi-million dollar investments in environmental conservation and public education initiatives.
