MacKenzie Scott invests Millions in our Clubs
Santa Rosa - Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave an unrestricted $4.8 million donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin this week. Ms. Scott & her team chose the agency because of its consistent growth and success under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Weiss. Weiss has served as the organization’s CEO since its inception in 2008. When hired, the organization operated 3 Clubs serving 300 youth in Healdsburg, Windsor, and Rohnert Park. Today, the agency serves over 10,000 youth each year at more than 40 locations in 10 Communities.
Weiss has led Club organizations for 30 years focusing on financial stability and maximizing impact for kids & families. Prior to her work in Sonoma & Marin counties, she served as Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma and worked for Clubs in San Francisco and the South Bay. Supporting a team to over 200 employees, Weiss provides steady guidance even in the face of the multiple traumas experienced in Sonoma County over the last five years. From fires to the pandemic, Weiss & the staff team ensured Clubs responded to best support families.
Parke Hafner, a 14 year veteran of the Clubs’ Board of Directors commented, “This gift is a result of Jennifer’s outstanding leadership over the last 14 years. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate and skilled executive leading our efforts to change kids’ lives. She is a reliable leader who always puts kids first. I know she & the team will put these dollars to work for our kids and their families right away. They probably already have.”
“This is an astoundingly generous gift to our kids and community,” Weiss said. “We are honored to be selected and grateful Ms. Scott saw our organization & efforts worthy of investment. It was important to our benefactor that we use the gift where it will have the most impact in our efforts. We knew immediately we wanted these funds to help us build two new buildings in Sonoma County.”
The gift will help the organization accomplish its goal of building its Flagship Club in Roseland and kick start a second capital project in Healdsburg. Weiss said, “Generations of Sonoma County youth will have a safe place to learn & grow as a result of Ms. Scott’s investment. Given that both capital projects were already underway, we knew there was no better use of the funds than building Clubs for the future.”
The $17 million capital project in Roseland was launched in 2019 . As of March 1, The Club has an additional ten million dollars to raise for the Roseland Club. In Healdsburg, the Clubs aim to raise another $12 M to rehab the 60+ year old building on Piper Street.
“These building projects are a tangible commitment to kids & families in this community. We will bring the impact of the Club to 3,500 residents more by 2024,” said Chief Development Officer Michelle Edwards Heery, “This gift will expedite our fundraising efforts, but more, it will bring hope & opportunity to youth in need sooner. That is certainly something to celebrate.”
MacKenzie Scott has given away billions to nonprofits while not accepting traditional fundraising requests. The novelist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has a net worth of about $47 billion and has given away approximately 18% of that, according to Forbes. The fortune comes from Amazon shares she retained during her divorce from Bezos.
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Press Democrat - Sonoma-Marin Boys & Girls Club granted $4.8 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott