TL;DR
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $45 million to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth. The gift arrives months after the Trump administration ended counseling services provided through the federally funded 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which The Trevor Project had been administering.
What happened
On Jan. 12, 2026, Wired reported that billionaire donor MacKenzie Scott made a $45 million contribution to The Trevor Project, an organization focused on crisis intervention and support for LGBTQ+ young people. Wired’s story notes the donation came only months after the Trump administration discontinued counseling services for queer youth that were delivered through the federally funded 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; The Trevor Project had been a contractor administering those services. The news item says The Trevor Project described Scott’s gift as “transformational.” The article frames the grant in the context of federal changes to crisis counseling access but does not provide a public breakdown of how the funds will be allocated or Scott’s stated intentions for the donation.
Why it matters
- Large private gifts can fill service and funding gaps for vulnerable populations when public programs change or contract.
- The contribution targets an organization that has been directly involved with federally funded mental health crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth.
- A high-profile donation may influence other philanthropic support and public attention to youth mental health and LGBTQ+ services.
Key facts
- Donor: MacKenzie Scott, identified in coverage as Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife.
- Amount: $45 million.
- Recipient: The Trevor Project, a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth.
- Timing: Reported Jan. 12, 2026; the gift was announced after federal changes to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Context: The Trump administration had moved to end counseling services for queer youth provided through the federally funded 988 Lifeline; The Trevor Project had administered those services.
- The Trevor Project described the donation as “transformational,” according to the report.
- The story was reported by Wired and written by Reece Rogers.
What to watch next
- Detailed plans from The Trevor Project about how the $45 million will be spent — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether The Trevor Project or other organizations will seek to restore or replace the counseling capacity lost after the 988 changes — not confirmed in the source.
- Any public statements from MacKenzie Scott explaining the aims or intended uses for the donation — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- The Trevor Project: A nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A federally funded national hotline designed to connect people in crisis with mental health support via the three-digit code 988.
- Philanthropy: The practice of donating money, time, or resources to support charitable causes or public goods.
- LGBTQ+: An umbrella term for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual or gender minorities.
Reader FAQ
Who made the donation?
MacKenzie Scott.
How much was donated?
$45 million.
Why did she give this money now?
Not confirmed in the source.
Will the funds restore the 988 counseling services that were ended?
Not confirmed in the source.
Did The Trevor Project comment on the gift?
The organization described the donation as “transformational,” according to the report.
REECE ROGERS CULTURE JAN 12, 2026 1:24 PM MacKenzie Scott Donates $45 Million to the Trevor Project Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife has made a donation to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group that…
Sources
- MacKenzie Scott Donates $45 Million to the Trevor Project
- The Trevor Project receives $45M from MacKenzie Scott after …
- MacKenzie Scott donates $45 million to Trevor Project
- Nonprofit News Feed Podcast
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