Influenced by Warren Buffet and the Giving Pledge, MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has given away $4.16 Million Dollars to various organizations.
Here in Texas, she donated millions to Prairie View A&M University which is a mostly black university down the road from Houston, and more millions to Texas A&M International University at Laredo (Texas) which is mostly Hispanic. Both are well-regarded satellite campus/universities of The Texas A&M University System.
Closer to home, MacKenzie Scott's also donated to the YMCA of Greater Houston, Easter Seals of Greater Houston, and Meals on Wheels of Greater Montgomery County (which is one of the counties that borders Houston/Harris County).
I read that most of MacKenzie Scott's money comes from the Amazon stock she received in her divorce/community property settlement. I have to say that, although I swear each order off Amazon will be my last and that I will not contribute further to Jeff Bezos, the thought that at least a few of my pennies spent there have now gone to deserving causes makes me happy.
Have you read about any donations in your area? Here is an NPR article that tells a little more.
I am hoping that the children of Sam Walton and the owners of the Walmart stock will step up to the plate next. Alice, Jim, and Rob Walton are the 10th, 11th, and 12th richest on the Forbes List just above MacKenzie at 13.
Above the Waltons are numbers 1-9: Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, Larry Ellison, Steve Ballmer, Elon Musk, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin.
I feel like sending all 400 on the Forbes 400 List a challenge reminding them that without all of us little people they would not have their fortunes. Some like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet has made nice donations but we all, including my social security based income, should do a better job of helping those in need.
Anybody want to contribute to Barbara's Go Fund Me account? Hahahaha. Just kidding.
Here is my Christmas gift to myself. Two 8x10 photo stands from Shutterfly.com using the pictures of last year's attendance at the Christmas Carol play at the Alley.
More later ....
Really admire her although cannot imagine having that much money.
ReplyDeleteShe is a good example of understanding a responsibility for what she has been given.
It's great when rich philanthropists like Mackenzie Scott step up to the plate and donate for the greater good. And yes, more should do so. But private, voluntary philanthropy is a hit-and-miss kind of thing. It cannot be relied on to cure society's ills. It's no substitute for an adequate tax system on all rich people so they contribute their proportional fair share to a tax base used to build a better society.
ReplyDeleteGood on her. I hope she pays her share of taxes.
ReplyDeleteShe donated to good causes. You can't go wrong with improving educational institutions. I'm actually happy that the Walton family is tighter with their money because when they do give, they give to ult-right conservative causes and political groups.
ReplyDeleteGood for her for donating to worthy causes! That sets an example for all of us.
ReplyDeleteBarbara can you imagine how much money she has to be able to donate this kind of money? What a wonderful woman. The Walmarts not so much. They love trump so I am certain they were not be philanthropic. Not their MO. They are ultra conservative and their views are very bigoted so far. I just found out that the ceo of overstock.com has set up a bank of monies for trump to fight the election resuts.I saw an article of his. He was disgusting. So I will no longer be shopping there!
ReplyDeleteYour photos were great as were the new frames.
Sweet photos, Barbara. You look great!
ReplyDeleteI like your cheerful photos and red and white frames. I am more impressed with middle income and lower income people giving donations, since it is a larger percentage of our incomes. A book was published a while ago that shows that conservatives give a greater amount to charities and that seems to be true.
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard from you in awhile. I hope you are warm and well Barb!
ReplyDelete