Knoxville Area Urban League gets a $1.5 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
The work and services provided by the Knoxville Area Urban League has caught the attention of one of America’s top philanthropists, and she has offered the organization the largest single donation in its history.
The $1.5 million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is unrestricted, meaning Urban League leaders can use it however they see fit for the organization.
“You do the work without any expectation of recognition, but when a gift like this comes, it's surreal,” retiring Urban League CEO Phyllis Nichols told Knox News.
“It takes a moment for you to take it in,” she added. “It's a validation (of our) work for racial inclusion, social justice, and economic equity.”
Nichols says the board will take the time it needs to convene and study how to best use the endowment, which will allow the Urban League to continue providing services without interruption or pause.
“We get to stay focused on our mission,” Nichols said. “We are empowered. This allows the Urban League to self-actualize what we're trying for the community to be, an empowered community. This helps to empower the Urban League.”
Scott has donated to 25 national Urban League affiliates. There are 90 Urban League affiliates throughout the U.S.
“Knoxville should be proud that we are in the elite number of Urban Leagues recognized across the country, that a national and international donor would recognize us,” Nichols added.
With Nichols retiring as its leader after more than two decades, the Urban League recently named Charles F. Lomax Jr. as its next CEO. He will start in December.
Scott – whose net worth is estimated to be $38 billion – has pledged to give away most of her wealth to charitable causes and has reportedly donated an estimated $12 billion to more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: MacKenzie Scott donates $1.5 million to Knoxville Area Urban League
