MacKenzie Scott is continuing her philanthropic efforts with another major donation aimed at addressing one of the most pressing issues facing young people today: mental health.
The billionaire philanthropist and former wife of Jeff Bezos has donated $20 million to Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma among youth, according to Fortune.
The gift comes as many nonprofit organizations grapple with shrinking funding even as the demand for youth mental health services continues to climb. Scott’s latest contribution is expected to strengthen programs that encourage open conversations about mental health and equip young people with the tools to support one another.
In keeping with her signature approach to giving, Scott has provided the grant as unrestricted funding. Instead of placing conditions on how the money must be used, she is allowing Active Minds to decide where the resources are needed most.
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The model has become a hallmark of Scott’s philanthropy, giving nonprofits the flexibility to expand their work and respond to evolving community needs without the constraints often tied to large grants.
Active Minds plans to use part of the funding to expand its existing programs in schools, colleges, and universities. The organization will also invest in its Mental Health Advocacy Academy for secondary school students and its Mental Health Advocacy Institute for college students. Both initiatives are designed to build mental health awareness, develop student leaders, and encourage peer-led conversations within campuses and local communities.
The nonprofit said the unrestricted nature of the donation will also allow it to plan for the long term, adapting its work over the coming years rather than focusing on short-term spending tied to traditional grant cycles.
Scott’s latest donation comes at a time when concerns over youth mental health in the United States continue to grow.
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According to reported data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in five American high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023, while many also said they had made a plan to attempt it.
The challenges extend beyond suicidal thoughts. National health data from the same year found that about one in five adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced recent symptoms of anxiety, with a similar proportion reporting symptoms associated with depression.
Mental health experts say these issues have been worsening over the years rather than remaining stable. Research published in 2025 found that rates of severe anxiety among young people have climbed significantly since the mid-1990s, while cases of severe depression have also increased over the same period.
Against this backdrop, Scott’s unrestricted donation is expected to help Active Minds expand its reach and provide sustained support for young people navigating mental health challenges.