Trump's reductions to FEMA funding prompt MacKenzie Scott to contribute $60 million to address shortfalls in disaster recovery efforts

MacKenzie Scott's recent $60 million contribution to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) highlights a rising movement where private donors are stepping in to fill voids left by changes in federal disaster policy during President Donald Trump's administration. This donation, the largest CDP has received in its 14-year existence, is part of Scott's broader philanthropic pattern—she has given away more than $19 billion since 2019, according to

. The timing is crucial as climate-related disasters become more severe and federal disaster aid grows less certain, with Trump having repeatedly suggested cuts to FEMA and disaster resilience funding, as reported by .

Scott's gift to CDP reflects her emphasis on sustained disaster recovery and social equity. The organization focuses on rebuilding communities over the medium and long term—needs that are frequently neglected in immediate disaster response. CDP President Patricia McIlreavy called the donation a "transformative investment" that will strengthen preparedness and address deep-rooted vulnerabilities, according to Morningstar (see

). The funds will also back CDP's relief projects, including its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund, which is set to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, as noted by MarketScreener.

Scott is known for providing unrestricted grants, giving organizations the freedom to allocate funds as they see fit. For McIlreavy, who was notified of the donation through an unexpected call in September, this flexibility was especially valuable. "People would come in and say 'I want pizza, but I don't want to pay for the staff to make it,'" she joked, pointing out the difficulties nonprofits face in covering operational expenses, according to

. Scott's approach has sparked debate in the nonprofit sector—some recipients appreciate the surprise and autonomy, while others find the unpredictability challenging, as reported by .

The urgency behind Scott's recent donations is heightened by the worsening climate emergency. The U.S. has already experienced 14 disasters this year, each causing over $1 billion in damages and totaling $101.4 billion, according to Climate Central. The Trump administration has further strained resources by reducing FEMA staff, ending resilience programs, and delaying disaster declarations even after major damage has been confirmed, Smart Cities Dive reported. FEMA has also postponed $11 billion in pandemic-related reimbursements, citing a projected deficit in its Disaster Relief Fund, Smart Cities Dive noted.

Scott's philanthropy this year extends beyond CDP. She recently gave $40 million to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and $60 million to the Freedom Fund, which works to end modern slavery. Last month, she contributed $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), a historic organization supporting minority students, Philanthropy reported. These donations demonstrate her ongoing dedication to racial justice and community strength, themes she emphasized in an October essay that shifted focus from her own giving to the importance of everyday acts of kindness, according to

.

As responsibility for disaster funding shifts from the federal government to state and local agencies, many communities are left vulnerable. The National Association of Counties has warned that extended delays in FEMA reimbursements could severely hinder local disaster response, Smart Cities Dive reported. While Scott's flexible grants provide some relief, critics argue they cannot fully compensate for the scale of federal assistance. "When people are facing disasters across this country, not knowing what may come, how they may get assistance and from whom, that steals a bit of the hope that is intrinsic in any recovery," McIlreavy told U.S. News.

With Scott continuing to influence the philanthropic sector, her actions underscore the increasing importance of private donors in addressing systemic shortfalls. As federal disaster recovery becomes more unpredictable under Trump's policies, organizations like the Center for Disaster Philanthropy may depend more heavily on major private contributions to bridge the gap.