MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated $65 million to Enterprise Community Development in Columbia, Maryland. This very large gift was announced in December 2024, as reported by the organization, funds the organization’s efforts in making housing opportunities available for vulnerable populations, seniors, homeless veterans, and low-income families. 

The donation follows a separate $15 million grant Scott made to Enterprise in 2020, which enabled the organization to plan and develop affordable housing in Greater Baltimore and across the country. Enterprise President Janine Lind said she was grateful, calling the surprise gift incredibly unbelievable and so heartwarming. It was in 1982 that Harborplace developer James Rouse founded the organization to create and preserve affordable housing. It has now emerged as a national leader in the sector. 

Its investment portfolios entail investments in all 50 states of Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, at a total value of investment of $72 billion. So, Scott’s award to the tune of $65 million will help much towards relieving the affordability crunch of housing that continues growing worse on account of very high cost and shortages. 

Enterprise intends to use funds over the next calendar year on developing more housing and improving programs for residents living in places already developed. 

Scott’s philanthropy is consistent with her pledge, through The Giving Pledge, to give away most of her $36.1 billion fortune. Since 2022, Scott has given away over $14 billion, with major gifts to organizations like the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Morgan State University. 

Enterprise continues working with small, diverse developers, who have invested $1.4 billion in the creation or rehabilitation of over 17,500 affordable homes in Baltimore, in the building and managing of its communities. In local projects, this involves Memorial Stadium transformation into a hub of senior housing and the introduction of new units of affordable housing both in Baltimore and Annapolis. 

The company plans to deploy the $65 million gift right away with flexibility for its continued mission to alleviate the affordable housing crisis. According to Enterprise Vice President David Bowers, the donation has significant impact in that it provides critical seed capital for future developments and partnerships.