When billionaire MacKenzie Scott informed Metro United Way (MUW) in December 2020 that her team had researched 7,500 nonprofits across the country and chose Louisville’s Metro United Way as one of just 384 to receive a gift from her, we knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that brought with it great responsibility.

Ms. Scott acknowledged that her choice of MUW was because of our commitment to operationalizing diversity, equity and inclusion to address systemic barriers, build racial equity, and advance opportunity for all.

From the time we were aware of this historic, unsolicited, and unrestricted $20 million gift, we wanted to leverage and maximize it for the benefit of our entire community for sustained and transformational change, which would include addressing the pronounced geographical divides within our region.

We acknowledge it’s time to usher in a new era of philanthropic responsibility that focuses on racial equity without stigmatizing impacted people and communities. We must elevate voices, listen and ensure solutions are supported.

$10 million to MUW endowment. Incentivize additional giving to more than double our endowment by Spring 2022. Create annual income draw to invest into community each year into perpetuity for immediate, emergency and long-term community need.

Metro United Way continues to work to root out systemic inequities and barriers preventing children, individuals and families from accessing the resources and opportunities they need to not only survive, but thrive. And we’re grateful Ms. Scott’s gift will allow us to target and accelerate that work.