Billionaire and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott continues to direct large sums of money to organizations working on long-term social challenges. Their latest contribution of $20 million focuses on an area that has become a growing concern for families, schools and health care professionals: youth mental health. The donation comes at a time when many charities face uncertain funding, while demand for mental health support continues to rise among young people. Rather than supporting a single program or campaign, Scott once again chose to provide unrestricted funding, allowing the recipient to decide how the money should be spent. This approach has become a defining characteristic of their charitable work and has helped a large number of nonprofit organizations expand without the usual limitations associated with major grants.
Mackenzie Scott’s $20 million gift is the largest in the history of Active Minds
MacKenzie Scott has donated $20 million to Active Minds, a US-based non-profit organization that works with youth to improve the conversation about mental health and reduce stigma, reports Fortune.As reported, this contribution is the largest single donation the organization has received since its inception. Unlike many major charitable grants, the money comes with no strings attached as to how it should be used, giving the organization the freedom to decide where investment is most needed in the coming years. Active Minds previously received support from Scott in 2021, when he contributed $4 million. This latest gift significantly expands that relationship and provides financial certainty at a time when many charities are operating under strict fundraising conditions.According to the organisation, the money will be spread across a long-term strategy that will strengthen its national network, support youth-led initiatives and help young people play a more active role in shaping mental health policy and services.
Active Minds expands school and college mental health programs
A portion of the funding will be directed to programs already running in schools, colleges and universities. Active Minds intends to invest further in its Mental Health Advocacy Institute as well as its Mental Health Advocacy Academy for secondary school students, which supports students in higher education. Both initiatives focus on helping young people understand mental health issues, develop leadership skills and encourage discussion within their communities.The organization has also indicated that unrestricted funding gives it the flexibility to respond to changing needs over several years rather than focusing on spending within short funding cycles.
Youth mental health challenges are increasing across the United States
The donation comes against a backdrop of ongoing concern over the mental well-being of youth in the United States. Reportedly, data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2023 showed that nearly one in five American high school students had seriously considered suicide. A significant proportion also reported planning to try it.Separate national health data from the same year suggested that approximately one in five adolescents aged 12 to 17 had recently experienced symptoms associated with anxiety, while depression affected a similar share of adolescents.The picture has been changing over time rather than remaining stable. Mental health researchers report in 2025 that severe anxiety has increased rapidly among young people since the mid-1990s, with severe depression also increasing significantly over the same period.
Financial stress and mental health impact the well-being of young adults
Academic research has also suggested broader challenges beyond diagnosed mental health conditions. The work, conducted by researchers at Harvard University and Baylor University, found that adults aged 18 to 29 scored lower than older generations on several measures of well-being. Financial concerns, physical and mental health, relationships, and sense of purpose all contributed to low levels of life satisfaction.The findings challenge long-held assumptions about when people experience their lowest ebb in life, with young adults now reporting poorer health than previous generations at the same age.
Scott’s unique approach to giving
Since 2020, Scott has distributed approximately $26 billion through her philanthropic work, making her one of the world’s most significant individual donors.The majority of that funding has been channeled through Yield Giving, with Scott continuing his practice of making unrestricted grants. The model has attracted attention because recipient organizations are trusted to decide how to best use the funds rather than meeting detailed donor requirements.According to a 2026 Forbes analysis, Scott has donated nearly half of his personal wealth. His charitable giving has consistently focused on education, health care, housing, climate action, and organizations working in support of disadvantaged communities.
Donations include education, housing and community support
Youth mental health is just one part of Scott’s wider charitable activity.Earlier this year, Meals on Wheels America received $70 million for services including meal delivery, welfare checks and social assistance for older people. The organization said many local providers are facing waiting lists as demand continues to exceed available resources.Higher education also remains a major focus. Red Lake Nation College in Minnesota received $72 million, while Elizabeth City State University, one of the United States’ most historically black universities, was awarded $42 million. That contribution brought Scott’s total donations to historically black colleges and universities to more than $1 billion.Elsewhere, Habitat for Humanity benefited from $436 million of unrestricted funding, while the Forest, People, Climate collaborative received $90 million to support efforts to reduce tropical deforestation. Girl Scouts of the United States has also received more than $84 million to strengthen leadership programs and opportunities for girls across the country.