It’s no secret that grants are often game-changers for nonprofits. Unlike individual donations, they usually come from established foundations capable of gifting large lump sums—sums that can push an organization into a new phase of growth and impact. However, securing these grants is no easy feat. Finding the right grant foundation for your nonprofit is just the first hurdle as the application process is often complex, time-consuming, and comes with strict spending guidelines.

But what if another solution existed? What if nonprofits could be given funding in a simpler way? Enter MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving—a billionaire philanthropist and her foundation who together are transforming the grantmaking process

If you like to keep tabs on the ultra-rich, MacKenzie Scott is a name you’ve likely heard. She first gained public attention as the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and, more notably, the $38 billion she received following their divorce. A sum of money that skyrocketed her to the top spot on the list of wealthiest women in the world—a list she still ranks in the top five of. Since then, she’s made quite the name for herself in the nonprofit sector. Given that she’s donated over $19 billion to 2,000 organizations since 2019, it’s safe to say she’s earned the recognition.

In 2022, following criticism over the secrecy of her donations, MacKenzie Scott founded Yield Giving with the aim of providing transparency to the causes and organizations she supports. From the beginning, Yield Giving took an untraditional approach to grantmaking by providing unrestricted funding to nonprofits, allowing them to use the money as they see fit. Fortunately for nonprofits, there is now an application process for grant consideration!

Naturally, you might be wondering, how then does Yield Giving decide who receives a grant? It’s a question you’re not alone in.