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By Beth Stibal |

PBC Urban League receives huge gift of $5.1 million from MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott, MacKenzie Bezos
FILE – In this March 4, 2018, file photo, MacKenzie Bezos arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has funded organizations that received the most money for racial equity in 27 different states following the police killing of George Floyd. According to an AP analysis of new preliminary data from the philanthropy research organization Candid, Scott was responsible for approximately $567 million given to these organizations. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

(WEST PALM BEACH, FLA) — The Urban League of Palm Beach County has received a massive gift from one of the richest women in the world, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott.

Scott donated $5.1 million to the Urban League of Palm Beach County (ULPBC), the largest gift in its 49 year history.

“We are so excited that Ms. Scott has recognized the work and contributions that the Urban League of Palm Beach County has made in the communities we serve across south Florida, said Patrick Franklin, President and CEO of Urban League of Palm Beach County. We are honored and grateful to be the recipient of such a large gift that will be transformational in our ability to further the organizational mission of advancing African Americans and other minorities in achieving social and economic equality. The Board of Directors and Staff of ULPBC thank Ms. Scott for entrusting us with the awesome responsibility of ensuring that this generous gift will have a long lasting and positive impact in our community.”

Listen to full interview with Patrick Franklin here.

In 2019, Ms. Scott signed The Giving Pledge, a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Since then she has wasted no time donating over $12 billion to important causes and organizations.

Ms. Scott recently wrote about her desire to support the needs of the underrepresented. “When our giving team focuses on any system in which people are struggling, we don’t assume that we, or any other single group, can know how to fix it. We don’t advocate for particular policies or reforms. Instead, we seek a portfolio of organizations that supports the ability of all people to participate in solutions. This means a focus on the needs of those whose voices have been underrepresented.”

Scott has given away about $12.8 billion in a little over two years, according to a report published this month by Forbes.

Scott, 52, and other billionaires have signed the Giving Pledge, a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.