'Surprising and generous': Billionaire MacKenzie Scott donates $2M to Minnesota Hmong group
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who has made headlines for giving away much of the wealth she gained following her 2019 divorce from Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos, donated billions of dollars to charitable groups in 2023 — including one in Minnesota, the Hmong American Partnership (HAP).
The organization announced the $2 million donation on Friday, calling it a "surprising and generous act of philanthropy":
"We are incredibly thankful for Mackenzie Scott's generous donation, which will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing our mission to drive prosperity within Minnesota’s Hmong and New American communities," said HAP President and CEO May yer Thao in a news release.
The release says the money will go towards expanding existing programs, launching new initiatives, and strengthening the organization's "overall capacity to drive positive change" among the communities HAP serves.
The group says it's been providing "essential services" to Hmong and New American individuals and families for over 30 years:
HAP, founded in 1990, has been at the forefront of providing essential services, resources, and advocacy to enhance the well-being of Hmong and New American individuals and families. The organization focuses on workforce development, economic development, health and well-being, and community development, aiming to create a more inclusive and empowered society.
As reported by the Associated Press, MacKenzie Scott has donated $2.1 billion to hundreds of organizations in 2023 — "bringing her total reported giving to more than $16 billion since 2019."
Scott announced the 360 recipients in a blog post last week. You can check it out right here.
