MacKenzie Scott donates record $20 million to Active Minds to expand support for youth mental health across America | World News
Billionaire and philanthropist Mackenzie Scott continues to provide significant funding to organizations working to solve long-term social challenges. Her latest gift, $20 million, focuses on an area of growing concern for families, schools and health care professionals: adolescent mental health. The donation comes at a time when many charities face funding uncertainty and demand for mental health support among young people continues to grow. Rather than supporting individual projects or campaigns, Scott once again chose to provide unrestricted funding and let recipients decide how to spend the money. This approach has become a defining feature of her philanthropic work and has helped a growing number of nonprofits expand without the usual constraints of major grants.
MacKenzie Scott’s $20M donation marks largest donation in Active Minds history
According to Fortune, Mackenzie Scott has donated $20 million to Active Minds, a US non-profit organization that works with young people to improve conversations about mental health and reduce stigma.This is reportedly the largest single donation the organization has received since its inception. Unlike many major charitable donations, there are no strings attached to the use of the funds, 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 she donated $4 million. This latest gift significantly expands this relationship and provides financial certainty at a time when many charities face tougher fundraising conditions.The organization said the funding will be used for a long-term strategy to strengthen its national network, support youth-led initiatives and help young people take a more active role in shaping mental health policy and services.
Active Minds expands mental health program in schools and colleges
Some of the funds will be used for projects already underway in schools, colleges and universities. Active Minds intends to invest further in its Mental Health Advocacy Academy for secondary school students, as well as its Mental Health Advocacy Institute to support higher education students. Both initiatives focus on helping young people understand mental health issues, develop leadership skills and encourage discussion within their own communities.The organization also said the unrestricted funding gives it the flexibility to respond to changing needs over several years, rather than concentrating spending over shorter funding cycles.
Mental health challenges among U.S. youth continue to grow
The donation comes amid ongoing concerns about the mental health of young people in the United States. According to reports, 2023 data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that about one in five American high school students has seriously considered suicide. A large proportion also reported planning to try this.Separate national health data from the same year showed that about one in five teenagers aged 12 to 17 had recently experienced anxiety-related symptoms, while depression affected a similar proportion of teenagers.The picture changes over time rather than remaining static. Mental health researchers reported in 2025 that serious anxiety disorders among young people have risen sharply since the mid-1990s, and severe depression has also increased significantly during the same period.
Financial stress and mental health impact young people’s wellbeing
Academic research also raises broader challenges beyond diagnosed mental health conditions. The study by researchers at Harvard and Baylor University found that adults ages 18 to 29 score lower than older generations on several measures related to happiness. Financial worries, physical and mental health, relationships, and a sense of purpose all contribute to lower life satisfaction.The findings challenge long-held assumptions about when people experience their lowest points in life, with young people now feeling less happy than previous generations at the same age.
Scott’s unique way of giving
Since 2020, Scott has donated approximately $26 billion through her philanthropic work, making her one of the world’s most important individual donors.Much of the funding is provided through proceeds donations, and Scott continues his practice of awarding unrestricted grants. The model raises concerns because recipient organizations are trusted to decide how best to spend the money, rather than meeting the detailed requirements of donors.According to a 2026 Forbes analysis, Scott gave away nearly half of his personal fortune. Her charitable giving has consistently focused on organizations in areas such as education, health care, housing, climate action, and supporting underserved communities.
Donations cover education, housing and community support
Youth mental health is just one part of Scott’s wider philanthropic activities.Earlier this year, Meals on Wheels America received $70 million to support services for seniors, including meal delivery, welfare checks and social support. 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 National College in Minnesota received $72 million, while Elizabeth City State University, one of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities, received $42 million. The donation brings Scott’s total contributions to historically black colleges and universities to more than $1 billion.Elsewhere, Habitat for Humanity received $436 million in unrestricted funding, while the Forests, People, Climate Partnership received $90 million to support efforts to reduce tropical deforestation. Girl Scouts of the USA also received more than $84 million to strengthen leadership programs and opportunities for girls nationwide.
