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Mackenzie Scott gifts millions to Houston schools and organizations

The uber-generous Mackenzie Scott has done it again.

Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Six months after donating $50 million to Prairie View A&M, author and billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is giving another generous gift to more Texas schools.

On Tuesday, June 15, Scott — the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos — announced that she has given $2.7 billion to 286 organizations. Scott is known for her impromptu multi-billion dollar donations to charities and racial equity issues.

In a post about her recent donations on Medium, she wrote that she made the gifts to enable the organizations to continue their work, and as a "signal of trust and encouragement" to them and others.

Now, Houston-area schools and organizations stand to benefit greatly.

Among them are Brazosport College in Lake Jackson and Project Row Houses, a non-profit artistic community in Houston's Third Ward.

San Jacinto College in Pasadena will receive $30 million from Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett — the largest private gift in the college's history.

Because of her donation, the college said it will provide free tuition and fees for the entire class of 2021. That opportunity will be open to anyone who graduated this year and lives in their district.

"The San Jacinto College Board of Trustees, the San Jacinto College Foundation Board of Directors, as well as our employees and students, both current and future, are deeply grateful for this very generous gift," said Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer.

"We weren't expecting it, and it came at just the right time so we could put programs like 21Forward in place to help the students in east Harris County who made it through their senior year. These students were impacted by COVID, yet they persisted and graduated. We are honored to be able to use a portion of this gift to help students stay on their higher education pathway. We look forward to announcing plans for the remainder of the funding in the future. For now, we are stunned by this unbelievable gift and excited about the opportunities it provides for us to serve our community in new ways."

In Scott's blog post, she explained that she looked for "2- and 4-year institutions successfully educating students who come from communities that have been chronically underserved."

CultureMap news partner ABC13 has reached out to Brazosport College and Project Row Houses to learn more about how Scott's gift will be used.

This is the third round of announcements Scott has made regarding her philanthropy. In 2020, she donated about $6 billion to COVID relief, gender equity, historically Black colleges and universities and other schools.

You can view the full list of recipients on Medium.

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For more on this story, visit ABC13.

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Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup

Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday., December 2, 2025.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

From left to right, Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday.

According to a Deloitte study commissioned by short-term rental company Airbnb, roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston as part of their Host City Impact Program.

“Hosting a global event like the FIFA World Cup in Houston is a generational opportunity for our city," said Chris Canetti, president, FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee at a press conference on Tuesday, December 2. "It’s so much more than a game — it’s about honoring our city and the people that make it great. In Houston, we’re proud to be working together with Airbnb to ensure these benefits are felt far beyond the games, investing in projects that will leave our city better off for generations to come.”

The $5 million Host City Impact Program is a partnership between Airbnb and FIFA to foster community spaces in places that host events like the World Cup. In Houston, their contribution will go toward two major projects.

First, the Green Corridor, an ambitious 14-mile sustainable transit loop that will connect the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown (EaDo) and NRG Stadium where the game will be held, as well as meandering through various neighborhoods. Not to be confused with the Green Loop project, this pedestrian path will feature interactive maps, water refilling stations, and shaded walkways that will hopefully reduce traffic congestion around the World Cup by promoting walking spaces.

The second project is Grow the Game, an initiative to renovate soccer fields and increase access to play across the city, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. It will also fund youth tournaments and clinics.

"Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a historic milestone for Houston, and as leaders from the private and public sectors, we have a unique opportunity to partner and ensure its benefits reach every corner of our city," added Houston City Councilmember At-Large Julian Ramirez. "Projects like the Green Corridor will make Houston more accessible and inviting, connecting neighborhoods and expanding green spaces for all. At the same time, initiatives like Grow the Game will give local kids the chance to get on the field, build skills, and be part of something special. With Airbnb’s investment, we can create a legacy that makes Houston more desirable, equitable, and vibrant for all.”

As the World Cup nears, the Greater Houston Area is undergoing several different transformations. In addition to the Green Corridor, Sugar Land opened a Social District last month to make it easier for visitors to party in the city's Town Square district.

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