MacKenzie Scott: Actions speak louder than words

Smart, tactical and simply brilliant

There’s an Islamic tradition I really admire because it focuses on action over words. On Eid-Al-Adha, those who are able to share their food should do so thoughtfully:

• 1/3 for the family

• 1/3 for friends and relatives

• 1/3 for the less fortunate

The beauty of this tradition isn’t just about what happens on that day—it’s the lesson it teaches. It’s a way to remind us of the importance of the people close to us, the people in our wider circles, and those who need a helping hand. It’s about learning generosity and compassion by actually practicing it.

Now, think about the societal ladder. The higher up you go, the bigger your influence. A kind and generous person at the top has the potential to do so much good. But when selfishness takes over, it creates a ripple effect of problems.

For example, a greedy billionaire might exploit workers to maximize profits or treat people as tools for their own gain. When too many like that are in charge, it’s easy to see why people assume all billionaires are bad news.

But that’s not the full story. Not everyone at the top is like that. There are those who genuinely use their position to make a positive impact.

The greedy men chasing wealth today won’t even get a footnote in history. They’ll be forgotten. Think about it—do you remember the richest people during Gandhi’s or Martin Luther King Jr.'s time? No. You remember the ones who made a difference.

When future history books are written, one woman will stand out: MacKenzie Scott. She’s rewriting the rules of giving, showing the world how to be quiet yet profoundly impactful.

Scott isn’t just giving—she’s challenging the entire philosophy of philanthropy. She’s lighting up overlooked areas and institutions, saying, “Here’s where the focus should be.” By giving unrestricted grants, she’s flipping the script. No strings, no reams of paperwork—just trust. Her approach screams, “I’ve done my homework, I trust these people to do what’s right, and you should too.”

Her grants aren’t random acts of kindness; they’re laser-focused. She chooses her causes carefully. It is a curated list.

Credit: CEP Report

In doing so, she’s redirecting the current, channeling resources into carefully chosen institutions and paving the way for others to follow her lead.

Nearly 90 percent of nonprofit leaders changed their approach to fundraising after receiving a grant from Scott, most frequently by using the grant as evidence of their organization’s credibility. One leader describes the effect as a “badge of honor when you say to a prospective donor, ’We were one of the few that got a MacKenzie Scott gift.’ People say, ’Well, you must be considered a sound institution, so let’s talk.’ So, I think that the ripple effect is still good, even two years later.”

Smart, tactical, and downright brilliant.

MacKenzie Scott isn’t just giving; she’s building a river—a steady, powerful flow that’s designed to last. By carefully selecting institutions and empowering them with unrestricted grants, she’s creating a ripple effect. If more philanthropists follow her lead, and if these institutions use the funds wisely, that river will grow stronger, fueling long-term change and making their impact deeper and more enduring.

It’s no wonder the greediest man alive regularly takes jabs at her in public. Her impact is already shaking things up. But Scott? She stays quiet. She doesn’t need grand announcements or flashy responses. She lets her actions speak—and they’re louder than any words or criticisms.

And that’s what makes her MacKenzie Scott. She’s someone we can admire, someone we can point to as an example for our kids.

This is just the beginning of her story.

To be continued...