Historic $6M Gift From MacKenzie Scott to RefugePoint will Support Organization’s Mission to Advance Lasting Solutions for At-Risk Refugees

BOSTON, MA — We are thrilled to share that RefugePoint has received a $6 million dollar grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Her gift speaks to our track record of building creative, impactful programs that help at-risk refugees to find lasting solutions. These solutions include relocating refugees in perilous situations to safe countries, reuniting families, and supporting refugees to become self-reliant.

MacKenzie Scott’s catalytic gift is the first donation towards our new $65 million five-year strategic plan (2023-2027), which we are excited to share publicly early next year. The funds will be used over the next five years to help us achieve our ambitious goals to expand access to self-reliance opportunities and pathways to safety for thousands of at-risk refugees.

Over the past few years, MacKenzie Scott has been a leader in “trust-based philanthropy”—giving significant, transformational gifts to nonprofits without restrictions. On November 14, 2022, she announced donations of more than $1.9 billion to 343 organizations “supporting the voices and opportunities of people from underserved communities,” including a number of RefugePoint’s partners.

MacKenzie Scott’s support comes at a critical moment in history. More than 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Many refugees can’t return home for an average of 10-20 years. RefugePoint’s 2023-2027 strategic plan addresses this global need with innovative programs that center the leadership and voices of refugees themselves.

“The vast majority of funding in the refugee space is specific, restricted, and geared toward emergency response. MacKenzie Scott’s unrestricted donation will allow us to be nimble and partner with refugees to build programs that are responsive to their needs. This generous and momentous donation is the starting point for our new five-year $65M fundraising campaign. We are honored to receive this gift, which will enable us to continue to transform humanitarian response so that refugees can thrive,” Sasha Chanoff, RefugePoint’s CEO, shared.

RefugePoint advances lasting solutions for at-risk refugees and supports the humanitarian community to do the same. Since its founding in 2005, RefugePoint has helped more than 105,000 refugees to access resettlement, self-reliance, and other pathways to safety.

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