READING, Pa. – Two nonprofits helping people in Berks County are getting quite a bit of help themselves this holiday season.
The United Way of Berks County and Goodwill Keystone Area announced on Thursday that they each received a $ 10 million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
It is the largest donation that both organizations have ever received.
“This is a tremendous honor, and we are humbled by Ms. Scott’s generosity, along with her confidence in our organization’s mission and role in leading change in the community,” said Joanne Judge, United Way chairman. .
“We are humbled and extremely grateful for the generosity of MacKenzie Scott,” said Rick Hill, president and CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area. “We strongly believe that when people are given the necessary work skills and support, they open doors to a bright future for themselves, their families and their communities.”
The local donations are part of more than $ 4 billion that Scott recently set aside for 384 nonprofits in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. Goodwill Keystone Area said it is one of 47 Goodwill agencies to receive funding.
“This gift will be used to support the priorities in our existing strategic plan,” said Hill. “In a year that has declined so much from so many, we will use MacKenzie Scott’s generous donation to return hope, dignity and independence to those we serve in the years to come.”
Scott said her team of advisers used a data-driven approach to giving, identifying organizations with strong leadership and results, particularly in communities with high food insecurity, racial inequality and poverty, “and low access to philanthropic capital.”
The United Way of Berks County said it was chosen because it is an effective leader and associate investing funds that have the greatest impact on key needs in the greater Reading area.
“Ms. Scott’s gift comes at a critical time for the community as the relentless demand for services due to the social and economic turmoil of the past year and the ongoing health crisis resulting from the pandemic continues to challenge Berks County,” said Tammy White, the president of the United Way of Berks County. “We have a unique opportunity to fund initiatives and programs that will have a transformative impact and benefit the future of the community and future generations.”
The United Way said it has established a special committee of board members to develop specific strategies around fund management, program investments and reporting practices related to the grant.
Meanwhile, Scott said she was “ far from done with ” her promise, urging others to follow her lead in any way – time, voice, or money.