$20 Million Donated To United Way Suncoast, Largest Donation

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — United Way Suncoast recently received an unsolicited $20 million donation, its largest donation ever in its 96-year-history, the organization said.

The unsolicited donation from MacKenzie Scott (Bezos) will exponentially transform the region for years to come, a news release said.

The organization discussed at a press conference how the organization will leverage its proven leadership to meet the growing needs of those most vulnerable in the Tampa Bay community.

"Ignited by the generosity of one selfless donor, this gift will have a ripple effect on millions," Jessica Muroff, president and CEO said. "Overnight, the game has changed. Impact will no longer be measured in years – it will be measured for generations. This gift is truly transformational. It will allow us to work deeper in our communities, more powerfully leverage our great partnerships and, most importantly, build more pathways to success for families in our communities.”

The United Way Suncoast and its board of directors will strategically build an implementation plan to ensure the organization’s ability to transform the community through this donation, Suncoast leaders said. The unrestricted gift will reinforce the organization’s steadfast commitment to serving the region’s ALICE population.

In 2020, this population of households that earn above the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget, hit record levels, the agency reported. Additionally, United Way Suncoast is already in a multi-year strategic planning phase that will help guide the investment strategy.