Mackenzie Scott Donates $10 Million To Cape Cod's Woodwell Climate Research Center

FALMOUTH, MA — MacKenzie Scott, the philanthropist of ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated $10 million to Falmouth's Woodwell Climate Research Center.

"At a time when scientific institutions across the United States are facing unprecedented challenges, this generous gift will support the long-term financial strength of the Center and its critical mission of conducting groundbreaking research to drive science-based solutions to the climate crisis," Woodwell officials said, in a statement.

Over the past three years, Scott has supported the Center’s Permafrost Pathways initiative through the TED Audacious Project.

"In a moment where climate science is under attack, this support strengthens our resolve and bolsters our confidence to act boldly and pursue our most innovative ideas," said Max Holmes, President and CEO of Woodwell Climate. "An unrestricted gift of this size is extraordinary, and stands as a ringing endorsement of Woodwell’s mission and values from one of the world’s most influential philanthropists. We are deeply inspired by and grateful for this act of generosity and the remarkable trust it shows in our vision and impact."

For forty years, Woodwell Climate has pursued the work of scientific research to help leaders and communities across the country—and around the world—curb climate change and cope with the increasingly damaging impacts.

With this investment, officials said, Woodwell will continue and accelerate efforts to find climate solutions, intensify its commitment to the highest standard of science, and aspire to ever greater courage and creativity.

Scott has donated more than just the $10 million recently, sending $70 million to the United Negro College Fund and $63 million to Morgan State University, amongst others.