(December 15, 2020), (Nashville, TN) – Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced today that she has made an unrestricted transformational gift to Easterseals Tennessee. Easterseals Tennessee is one of 22 Easterseals Affiliates from across the country to benefit from Scott’s philanthropy, in addition to its National Office, to support life-changing services and powerful advocacy for the one in four Americans living with disability today.
Scott signed the Giving Pledge in 2019 and has since donated to more than 100 nonprofits working in areas of interest to her, from racial justice and LGBTQ equality to climate change and global health. All beneficiaries have been selected, Scott says, for their leadership’s “track record of effective management and significant impact in their areas of expertise.” Scott continues, “I gave each organization a contribution and encouraged them to spend it on whatever they believe best serves their efforts.”
Easterseals, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit services providers and advocates for people with disabilities, is committed to advancing access to and equity in healthcare, employment, and education for children and adults with disabilities including veterans and seniors, as well as their families and caregivers. Its national network of Affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5 million people annually through high-quality programs including early intervention; autism services; medical rehabilitation including physical, occupational, and speech therapies; workforce development; behavioral health services; adult day services, and much more.
Easterseals Tennessee, a member of the Easterseals Network, has been serving children and adults living with disabilities and special needs and their families since 1923 by providing exceptional services to ensure that our members have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. We understand that health and well-being is equally important in creating solutions and positively impacting the loves of our special population. Focusing on our mission, this generous gift will allow Easterseals Tennessee to expand our newest program, Behavioral Health Services, and concentrate on our strategic priorities for the next few years.
“This gift from Ms. Scott represents a transformational gift for Easterseals Tennessee,” said Easterseals Tennessee President and CEO Tim Ryerson. “These funds will allow us to expand our services to meet the increasing needs of children and adults with disabilities in Tennessee so they can fully participate in their communities and in society.”
Ms. Scott asked a team of nonprofit advisers to help her identify organizations that have directly helped marginalized groups. “I began work to complete my pledge with the belief that my life had yielded two assets that could be of particular value to others: the money these systems helped deliver to me, and a conviction that people who have experience with inequities are the ones best equipped to design solutions. The work of giving away more than half of my fortune will last for years,” she said.
She added, “I recommend Easterseals and the other organizations I’ve supported to anyone similarly excited by the idea of empowering leaders well-positioned to accelerate progress. Every one of them is tackling complex challenges that will require sustained effort over many years, while simultaneously addressing consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every one of them would benefit from more allies looking to share wealth of all types and sizes, including money, volunteer time, supplies, advocacy, publicity, networks and relationships, collaboration, encouragement, and trust.”
