Massachusetts Advocates for Children Receives $2 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott through Yield Giving Open Call
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2024
Contact: Aimee Sung, asung@massadvocates.org, (617) 874-5362
The investment will dramatically increase the impact of the organization’s work on education equity on behalf of children in the Commonwealth.
Boston, MA – Today, Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) announced it received a $2 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This donation is the largest single gift in the organization’s history. MAC receives this award through Ms. Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call. The investment will be a catalyst to advance Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s vision of education equity in the Commonwealth.
In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations. The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. MAC was among a select number of high-scoring organizations chosen to receive a larger award, of $2 million.
“We are extraordinarily honored to receive this recognition and support from MacKenzie Scott and Yield Giving,” said Anna Krieger, Executive Director of MAC. “This is truly a gift for every child in Massachusetts who wants to learn and grow alongside their peers in school and be seen and supported for who they are. That remains our vision at MAC and this award will be a catalyst for MAC to dramatically increase our impact.”
MAC has been at the forefront of education and disability advocacy in Massachusetts since the organization’s founding in 1969 by civic leader and visionary Hubie Jones. Over the last 50 years, MAC has continued the work that Mr. Jones began to address the rampant exclusion of Black and Brown students with disabilities from Boston schools.
“Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is one of the most effective child advocacy organizations in the nation,” said Hubie Jones, founder and Trustee Emeritus. “This grant is very significant because it ensures that the legacy of MAC will endure well into the future. MAC remains the highlight of my 55-year civic leadership career in the Commonwealth.”
MAC provides direct legal services and advocates to change the education system as a whole, working in partnership with the disability community, communities of color, and immigrant and multilingual families. To date, MAC has advocated for tens of thousands of children and families to ensure students receive an equitable education. The organization has also successfully led collaborative efforts to pass dozens of landmark education laws and make critical policy advances. These successes date back to the passage of the first special education law in the country and include more recently passage of the first inclusive higher education law in the nation.
The unrestricted donation from Ms. Scott comes at a pivotal time for MAC. The organization has been strategically developing programs to support newly arrived migrant students enrolling in schools. MAC also plans to launch a planning process for the next phase of its work that will guide the usage of the funds.
“The board and staff are deeply grateful to MacKenzie Scott and the Yield Giving team for this transformational gift that recognizes the commitment and incredible work of our staff,” said Eileen Hagerty, Chair of MAC’s Board of Directors. “The gift comes to MAC at an exciting time, with dynamic new leadership from Anna and at a moment when MAC has built momentum to pursue innovative ideas and meet emerging needs in education. We thank all of our longtime allies, supporters, and partners for your steadfast commitment to MAC’s work over the decades.”
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About Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Founded in 1969, Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth. MAC works with students, families, communities, and at the policy level to ensure every student is included and given the support to thrive in schools. MAC prioritizes advocacy for children and youth at the intersection of disability, race, economic status, ethnicity/culture, immigration status, and English learner status. To get services, join us, or learn more, visit www.massadvocates.org.
About Yield Giving
Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.
About Lever for Change
Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.