Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity will receive $9 million of a $436 million donation to Habitat for Humanity from MacKenzie Scott, one of the world’s richest women.

Scott, who previously had been married to Amazon Inc. founder Jeff Bezos, signed a pledge in 2019 to give away most of her wealth. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Scott has a net worth of $55.1 billion.

This week, Habitat for Humanity received $436 million from Scott. Habitat for Humanity International received $25 million from the gift; the remaining $411 million is being distributed to the organization’s 84 local Habitats.

The group’s Des Moines affiliate was the only Iowa affiliate to receive money from the gift, according to the Habitat for Humanity International press release. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity will receive the $9 million over three years.

The money will be used to help address the shortage of affordable housing in Central Iowa, according to a news release. In 2021, the nonprofit group served 285 low-income families including helping to create homeownership opportunities for 25 families, according to the group’s website. In addition, repairs were completed on residences, and 76 households received counseling on homeownership and finances.

“We are grateful, amazed and inspired to receive this transformative gift,” said Lance Henning, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity president and executive director. “With so many Central Iowans facing housing challenges, MacKenzie Scott’s donation will allow us to accelerate our work and meaningfully implement the strategies we have developed to address homeownership affordability.

“This gift underscores the urgent need for the creation and preservation of affordable homeownership, as well as GDM Habitat’s strong and distinctive position to make a dramatic difference.”

In Central Iowa, 1 in 8  households spend half or more of their income on housing, according to the organization.

The Des Moines group will use the $9 million to support its strategic plan priorities, including doubling the number of homebuyers, revitalizing neighborhoods and helping increase access to credit.  

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity also plans on launching a fundraising initiative by the end of 2022.

“It is our hope that others will use the example of Ms. Scott’s informed generosity to inspire further giving to Habitat,” Henning said in a prepared statement. “This gift does not resolve the affordable housing challenges in our community, but it does allow each of our supporter’s gifts to go even further in ensuring all of our neighbors have a safe, affordable place to call home.”

Habitat for Humanity’s programs include building new, affordable houses for qualifying families; neighborhood revitalization through Rock the Block home repairs; housing counseling; and financial education classes.

Related article:Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott this week wrote about her $3.8 billion in donations to 465 organizations.