How To Contact Mackenzie Scott Bezos Foundation

House Authors

2 min read

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09-12-2024

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The MacKenzie Scott Bezos Foundation is known for its significant philanthropic efforts, donating billions to a wide range of organizations. However, unlike many larger foundations, it doesn't have a publicly available contact email address or phone number for general inquiries. This is a deliberate strategy, focusing their resources on grantmaking rather than administrative overhead.

This article will explain the best approaches to attempt contact, emphasizing that direct communication is unlikely. The foundation prioritizes its grantmaking process, and direct contact for general inquiries isn't part of their operational model.

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

The MacKenzie Scott Bezos Foundation operates differently from traditional foundations. Their approach is characterized by:

• Unsolicited Grants: The foundation proactively identifies and awards grants to organizations, rather than accepting applications. This means you can't apply for funding.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Their grantmaking is informed by extensive research and data analysis, focusing on high-impact organizations.
• Limited Public Engagement: They maintain a low public profile, prioritizing their work over extensive public relations.

How to (Indirectly) Reach the Foundation

Given their operational structure, there isn't a direct line of communication. However, here are some potential avenues for reaching out, keeping in mind that success is not guaranteed:

1. Reviewing their Past Grant Recipients: The foundation publishes lists of organizations that have received funding. If you work for a similar organization and believe you align with their giving priorities, researching these recipients might provide insights into their selection criteria. Understanding their past giving can help inform your organization's strategic alignment.

2. Monitoring their Public Statements: The foundation occasionally releases statements or press releases about their grantmaking activity. These releases, typically found on their official website or through reputable news outlets, may provide information about their current focus areas.

3. Contacting Organizations they've Funded: If your organization is aligned with a recipient of a MacKenzie Scott Bezos Foundation grant, you could consider contacting that recipient to learn more about their experience. This indirect approach might offer some insights into the foundation's operations.

4. Following them on Social Media (Limited Usefulness): While the foundation has a limited social media presence, monitoring their accounts might provide updates on their work. This is not a reliable method for direct communication.

What Not to Do

Avoid the following approaches:

• Sending unsolicited emails or letters: The foundation likely receives a high volume of unsolicited communication, and these are unlikely to be reviewed.
• Attempting to contact them through personal channels: Attempting to contact MacKenzie Scott or any individual associated with the foundation directly through personal channels is highly inappropriate.

Focusing on Your Organization's Strengths

Instead of seeking direct contact, concentrate on building your organization's capacity and impact. If your organization aligns with the MacKenzie Scott Bezos Foundation's giving priorities (which tend to focus on racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and other underserved communities), continued strong performance and clear demonstration of impact are the best ways to potentially attract their attention in future grant cycles.

Remember, the foundation's approach is unique. Focusing on your organization's effectiveness and mission is far more productive than attempting to circumvent their established processes.