American billionaire MacKenzie Scott gives record $45 million to The Trevor Project

American philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex‑wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated 45 million dollars to The Trevor Project, the leading U.S. crisis‑support and suicide‑prevention organization for LGBTQ youth. This is the largest single gift in The Trevor Project’s 27‑year history, according to CEO Jaymes Black. The donation lands at a critical moment, as queer and trans young people face mounting mental‑health pressures and shrinking public funding.

Who is The Trevor Project and why it matters

The Trevor Project runs 24/7 phone, chat and text lines for LGBTQ youth in crisis, as well as research, training and advocacy to make schools, families and communities safer. The organization is widely known for its work on suicide prevention among lesbian, gay, bi, trans and questioning young people in the United States. Its services are often a lifeline for teens and young adults who feel isolated, rejected or under attack by hostile laws and rhetoric.

Under the Trump administration, The Trevor Project lost key federal grants dedicated to suicide prevention and support for LGBTQ youth, with the organization estimating a loss of around 25 million dollars in public funding. Scott’s donation helps to fill part of that gap, but Trevor’s leadership stresses this does not end the crisis – it only strengthens the tools they have to respond.

Mental health crisis among LGBTQ youth

In an internal longitudinal study conducted between September 2023 and March 2025, following more than 1,600 LGBTQ young people in the U.S., The Trevor Project found rising rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. These results echo other research showing that LGBTQ youth are at least four times more likely to attempt suicide than their non‑LGBTQ peers. Behind the statistics are familiar risk factors: family rejection, school bullying, social isolation, anti‑LGBTQ legislation and online hate.

Trevor’s leadership has warned that this situation represents “one of the greatest public‑health crises of our time” for queer and trans youth. The new funds will help expand crisis services, invest in technology, and reach more young people who may not yet know the organization exists – especially in conservative or rural areas where local support is thin.

MacKenzie Scott’s giving and what this means

Since 2019, MacKenzie Scott has donated an estimated 26 billion dollars to thousands of non‑profits through her philanthropic vehicle Yield Giving, with a strong focus on racial justice, gender equity, education and community‑based organizations. Her approach is notable for being fast, relatively low‑bureaucracy and often unrestricted, allowing groups like The Trevor Project to decide how best to use the money rather than tying it to narrow projects.

For queer communities, this record gift sends a strong signal that LGBTQ youth work is not just “niche” charity but central to public health and human rights. It may also encourage other high‑net‑worth donors and foundations to follow suit, especially at a time when state and federal support is being cut or politicized.

Why this matters to LGBTQ readers (and how to help)

For LGBTQ people and allies, this story is a reminder of two things: first, that queer and trans youth are not “too sensitive” – they are navigating a real, documented mental‑health crisis; second, that large‑scale solidarity and material support can shift what’s possible. Scott’s donation does not solve everything, but it buys time, staff and infrastructure for a service that literally keeps kids alive.

If you’re reading this as a young LGBTQ person in distress, you deserve support, and reaching out is not a burden – it’s your right. If you’re an adult ally, you can help by learning the warning signs of suicidal ideation, supporting affirming policies, and amplifying the existence of services like Trevor so that young people know where to turn before they hit breaking point.

Useful links (to embed)

International LGBTQ help resources (for readers outside the U.S.):
https://www.ilga.org or local crisis lines via national LGBTQ organizations.

The Trevor Project – crisis support, chat & text, resources for LGBTQ youth and allies:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Trevor’s research and data on LGBTQ youth mental health (including survey findings):
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey

Yield Giving – MacKenzie Scott’s philanthropy vehicle (grant announcements and philosophy):
https://yieldgiving.com

Information and toolkits for parents, teachers and community organizers supporting LGBTQ youth:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources