Niki Singleton, the regional director of nonprofit Shine Together’s Sacramento chapter, was still in shock two days after learning a billionaire philanthropist selected the organization out of thousands nationwide to receive more than $1 million.
Shine Together, serving young women who become mothers, was one of three capital region nonprofits to receive funding streams by author MacKenzie Scott, who co-founded Amazon with now ex-husband Jeff Bezos. The other nonprofits were the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in Yolo County and the California Native Vote Project.
“This is really happening?” Singleton recalled saying when learning of the gift.
On March 19, Scott announced 361 nonprofits received notice of either $1 million or $2 million funds. California nonprofits received $137 million out of the $640 million gifted in her latest round of funding. Scott’s nonprofit Yield Giving has given more than $17.3 billion to 2,300 nonprofits since 2019, according to its website.
Adding to Singleton’s surprise, Yield Giving awarded Shine Together $2 million, instead of $1 million. That twist added to everyone’s tears, disbelief and “pinch-me” moments upon learning of the award last week, she said.
“This is something (we) would dream about,” Singleton said.
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center received $1 million, while the three other capital region nonprofits received $2 million.
Scott has pledged to donate the majority of her wealth, estimated at $36.2 billion this week by Forbes. She’s said previously that her work will be ongoing for years as she devotes money to groups serving a variety of issues.
“They are vital agents of change,” Scott wrote on her website of her recipients.
Singleton said in a phone interview the nonprofit had for the first time applied to receive money from Scott’s nonprofit. They wanted to take a risk and think outside of the box to secure dollars, she said.
She hopes the funds can help even more nascent mothers access better resources and connections — to get opportunities they had never experienced before.
But, Singleton added the dollars may also help to expand their services to young fathers also struggling when parenthood arrives at an early age.
Scott’s money will be “destined to change lives, generations and futures,” Singleton said, as it helps break young parents out of poverty and create better lives for children.
Sacramento nonprofits have received rounds of funding from Scott in previous years. They include a $10 million donation to United Way’s Sacramento chapter in 2020 and a $2.4 million gift to Greater Sacramento Urban League in 2022.
This story was originally published March 27, 2024 5:00 AM.
