PEORIA, Ill — MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, has gifted $5 million to Goodwill of Central Illinois.
Over the last four months, Scott has gifted more than $4 billion to 384 organizations across the United States.
The initiative is her response to a pandemic that “has been a wrecking ball in lives of Americans already struggling.”
The philanthropist’s team vetted 6,490 organizations to narrow down to 384 based on high potential for impact in the community.
“To say we are honored by this significant gift is an understatement,” said Goodwill of Central Illinois President and CEO Don Johnson. “To be chosen out of so many is truly humbling.
“The expenditure of this gift will be carefully considered with the focus always being the benefit to the community and those we serve.”
