United Way of Northern New Jersey gets $10M gift from MacKenzie Scott

MacKenzie Scott, author and philanthropist, has donated more than $4 billion to charity in 2020. The Princeton graduate is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This photograph is from 2016.
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From the United Way of North Jersey:

MacKenzie Scott’s Gift of Hope For ALICE

 

United Way of Northern New Jersey’s groundbreaking work for ALICE households across the U.S. selected from among 6,500 by author and billionaire philanthropist   

 

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — United Way of Northern New Jersey is proud to announce a $10 million one-time gift from author and billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who recognized the organization’s advocacy on behalf of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families in New Jersey and across the country.

“We thank Ms. Scott for shining this megawatt spotlight on our work,” said CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “We intend to honor her gift by continuing the innovative research and data-driven changes needed to bring about lasting economic equity for ALICE families at the local, state, and national levels.”

United Way logoThis donation from Scott gives United Way stability during a tumultuous time. It recognizes that this local nonprofit has stretched itself to become a leader on behalf of the 35 million ALICE families across this country who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but have been systematically priced out of survival.

In addition to its work creating on-the-ground change for ALICE workers in northern New Jersey, this United Way inspired a grassroots movement that has extended beyond the region and state borders.

More than a decade ago, the organization developed groundbreaking new measurements and research revealing that financial hardship far exceeds what’s captured by federal poverty guidelines. Since launching the United For ALICE project, it has taken off across the country and now counts more than 600 United Ways and other partners in 22 states.

Gaudioso expressed it was an honor to be among the 384 organizations chosen out of a field of 6,490 initially considered and deemed in Scott’s words to have “strong leadership teams and results.”

“Our pride extends to the 50 other organizations also recognized by Ms. Scott that use the ALICE framework for their critical work. We believe this is a strong vote of confidence for all of us,” Gaudioso added.

Like all nonprofits, United Way has been faced with an explosion in need during a challenging fundraising environment, said United Way Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Michael Gerardi.

“We are humbled by the faith Ms. Scott has placed in us to achieve results and our team intends to maximize this gift for ALICE families for years to come,” Dr. Gerardi said. “We are just getting started; we invite others to follow Ms. Scott’s lead and give ALICE hope by joining the movement.”

About United Way of Northern New Jersey

United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization fighting to improve life for families and individuals in our five-county footprint who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty. We believe that by securing racial and economic equity for ALICE we can improve life for all. We’re investing in ALICE’s future in the workplace, at home, and across the community. We do this through our initiatives that fill gaps in services, community partnerships, public policy work, and volunteer efforts. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona. To learn more, call 973.993.1160 or visit UnitedWayNNJ.org.

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