United Way of the Greater Capital Region Receives $5 Million Donation from MacKenzie Scott
The donation is a part of a nationwide philanthropic effort by Scott to donate her wealth to non-profit organizations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2020
ALBANY, NY—United Way of the Greater Capital Region (UWGCR) has been awarded a $5 million donation from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, one of the world’s most powerful women. Scott selected UWGCR as a part of a larger philanthropic effort based on the organization’s strong leadership and track record of delivering effective change in the region. The donation, the largest ever received by the organization, marks a major milestone and the beginning of a new chapter for UWGCR under President & CEO Peter Gannon.
“This transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott is an opportunity to think strategically about the social impact we want to have as an organization and as a region. At United Way we fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community, and this year our work was more meaningful than ever as we supported our neighbors through the COVID-19 crisis. It is an honor to be recognized by Ms. Scott for our impactful work – and this is only the beginning. This donation will help us drive innovative solutions to deep-rooted social issues and advance community well-being for years to come,” said Peter Gannon, President & CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region.
The COVID-19 health crisis and shutdown of economic and social activity have both highlighted and worsened many social challenges. UWGCR will use this gift to continue to address urgent community needs amplified by COVID-19 and expand its racial justice and equity efforts to rebuild in ways that fundamentally shift systems to produce better outcomes for people and communities.
“United Way of the Greater Capital Region has long been a driver of social change in the community. Today’s historic gift is not only well-deserved recognition for the profound impact of UWGCR, but will spark new initiatives and expand the organization’s reach. On behalf of United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s Board of Directors, I applaud the dedication of President & CEO Peter Gannon and his talented staff, and I am excited to step into this next chapter,” said Carm Basile, CDTA CEO and United Way of the Greater Capital Region Board Chair.
In 2019 MacKenzie Scott signed a ‘Giving Pledge,’ committing to donating half of her fortune. In July, Scott announced $1.6 billion had been donated to 116 charitable organizations that support a wide variety of social causes.
In Scott’s latest round of giving, United Way of the Greater Capital Region was selected as one of 384 non-profits across the country recognized for their effective response and recovery work including both filling basic needs and addressing systemic inequities.
In her announcement on Medium, Scott said, “These 384 carefully selected teams have dedicated their lives to helping others, working and volunteering and serving real people face-to-face at bedsides and tables, in prisons and courtrooms and classrooms, on streets and hospital wards and hotlines and frontlines of all types and sizes, day after day after day. They help by delivering vital services, and also through the profound encouragement felt each time a person is seen, valued, and trusted by another human being.”
ABOUT UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION
United Way of the Greater Capital Region is an organization that fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. It unites donors, volunteers, and community organizations in a common mission to strengthen our community and improve social conditions in the Capital Region and beyond. Learn more at www.unitedwaygcr.org or Facebook.com/UnitedWayGCR
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Casey Madsen, Director of Strategic Communications
CMadsen@unitedwaygcr.org