Thomas Taschinger: MacKenzie Scott donation is welcome, stands in clear contrast to Jeff Bezos

Once again, MacKenzie Scott has come through for the people of Southeast Texas. She donated $1.5 million to Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas, the largest gift in the organization’s history. In December of 2020, she donated $9 million to the Food Bank of Southeast Texas, also the largest gift in the organization’s 29-year history. Generosity like that make a difference in the lives of real people. Communities in Schools plans to use this donation to support its long-term growth and local priorities in supporting students throughout Southeast Texas. The organization uses school-based staff who work inside schools and establish one-on-one relationships with students to help them deal with problems and overcome hurdles that may be holding them back. It coordinates with schools and local service providers to meet these needs of students as well as providing basic resources such as food, health care, counseling and access to remote technology.

“In a time when the global pandemic has created unparalleled challenges for students and families,” the organization’s news release said, “including experiences of social isolation, economic crisis, stress and trauma, this investment will help Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas to carry out its cause to break down barriers that stand in the way of student success.” The organization’s track record shows its success in meeting these goals. In the 2020-21 school year, 99.6% of students enrolled in its program remained in school, with 97.3% of pre-K through 11th grade students advancing to the next grade and 92.9% of seniors graduating or receiving a GED. That’s impressive. Scott’s donation was a part of a larger $133.5 million contribution to 40 Communities in Schools affiliates. And in 2020, she selected the local food bank as one of 384 recipients of a portion of $4.15 billion she donated to nonprofits across the country.