At a Glance
- MacKenzie Scott donates $45 million to The Trevor Project, the nonprofit’s largest gift in 27 years
- The Trevor Project lost federal 988 crisis-counseling contracts after the Trump administration shut down queer-youth services
- Scott’s previous gift to the group was $6 million during Trump’s first term
- Why it matters: The cash injection arrives as calls to the suicide-prevention hotline spiked 700 percent following the 2024 election
MacKenzie Scott has opened her checkbook again, this time delivering a record $45 million to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide-prevention group for LGBTQ+ youth. The donation lands just months after the Trump administration stripped the organization of its federal 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline contracts.
Record Gift Amid Federal Cuts
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, announced the gift in a blog post, calling it “transformational” and the largest single contribution the nonprofit has received since its founding 27 years ago. Scott previously gave $6 million to the group during Trump’s first administration.
The Trump administration’s move to shutter federally funded counseling services for queer youth left The Trevor Project scrambling to replace lost revenue. The $45 million infusion gives the organization immediate runway to expand crisis services and long-term sustainability planning.
Surge in Crisis Contacts
The Trevor Project’s internal data show demand for help has exploded since Election Day 2024:
- 700 percent jump in calls, chats, and texts after Trump’s victory
- 33 percent bump in outreach immediately following the inauguration
- Additional spikes after court rulings, including US v. Skrmetti, which upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors
A recent Trevor Project survey found that 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 in the United States have contemplated suicide. The organization focuses on those disproportionately at risk.
Global Expansion Plans
Black wrote that Scott’s gift “sends a powerful message: LGBTQ+ young people matter, and the world is full of people fighting for their safety and well-being.” He described the donation as “a powerful step toward building on our sustainable capacity” as the group eyes international growth.
Over the next several months, leadership will draft a strategic investment plan targeting:
- Strengthening core crisis services
- Improving long-term financial sustainability
- Accelerating outreach so “every LGBTQ+ young person knows they are loved and supported”
Scott, who divorced Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, has accelerated her philanthropy in 2025, giving more than $7 billion to nonprofits across causes including environmental protection and public education.
Key Takeaways
- Scott’s $45 million donation is The Trevor Project’s largest ever, eclipsing her earlier $6 million gift
- The nonprofit lost federal 988 contracts after the Trump administration ended queer-youth counseling services
- Crisis contacts rose 700 percent post-election, underscoring heightened need
- Funds will expand global services and shore up long-term stability
