The Trevor Project just hit the jackpot! In a dramatic twist for the LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott dropped a jaw-dropping $45 million donation at the close of 2025—marking the biggest cash infusion the group has ever seen.
Monday’s announcement sent shockwaves through the charity, which has weathered a storm of scandals, mass layoffs, and a brutal summer blow after losing major federal funding.
Activists rally on March 31, 2025, at the annual Transgender Day of Visibility, in Washington D.C. ÒAs we honor Transgender Day of Visibility, one thing remains abundantly clear: Trans people are here, trans people have always been here, and they are not going anywhere,Ó Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said. ÒTo all trans young people, I want you to know: You are never alone.Ó
“I was floored—actually gasped when I heard,” confessed Jaymes Black, head honcho at The Trevor Project, still stunned by Scott’s mega-gift. For those keeping score, Scott, who made her fortune thanks to Amazon titan (and ex-husband) Jeff Bezos, shelled out over $7 billion to causes last year. But this showstopping gift for the Trevor Project didn’t even make it onto her official donation list in December. Scott previously gave the group $6 million in 2020, but this year’s contribution is on a whole other level.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic: Last July, the Trump administration cut out dedicated support for LGBTQ+ youth dialing into the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Trevor Project—one of the key operators for LGBTQ+ callers—was hit with a devastating $25 million loss as a result, leaving the nonprofit scrambling to pick up the pieces.
Despite the chaos, The Trevor Project’s independent hotline remains a lifeline for roughly 250,000 young callers every year. Another 250,000 found help through the now-cut “988 Press 3” option, an outreach specifically created for LGBTQ+ youth. With Scott’s record-shattering gift, The Trevor Project is primed to get back on its feet and continue saving lives in the face of adversity.
