Ordinary: Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach and MacKenzie Scott

We were so excited to see MacKenzie Scott on the Time100 Philanthropy 2026 list.

What they write is true: MacKenzie gave us a "no-strings-attached sum of money," and it was "large enough to be transformative but not so large as to overwhelm [us]." We were, admittedly, overwhelmed, but it was with joy and gratitude. 

After receiving a tip from an SCPO board member in April 2023 about the #YieldGiving Open Call, we laughed at the possibility. The brief email read: “Scott Taking Applications for 250 $1 Million Grants.” In fact, the email was initially deleted! A few minutes later, though, Elizabeth Martinez, who writes SCPO’s private grants, moved it back to her inbox and brought it back to the team. The first reaction was a wise sort of skepticism: no, do not bother – it is too good to be true. 

But the more we read the Open Call, the more unusual it felt. It did not read like many requests for proposals that can seem insurmountable and exclusive in their expectations, eligibility requirements, and target populations. Rather, it read simply: Are you small-ish? Doing something unique but impactful? Both of which were true.

We just… fit….? Question mark?

For organizations working in re-entry, that feeling is rare. Re-entry is not widely understood or popular. Reading the Open Call, it felt like we (with our supporters!) were isolated and in the corner of a crowded room when, suddenly, MacKenzie Scott walked in, pointed to us, and said: “I see you.”

So, with a protective sense of reluctance and a healthy determination to share our story and argue for its impact, we went for it. 

Over the next several months, we moved through multiple rounds of reviews alongside thousands of organizations nationwide. We participated in a (very cool) peer review process, advanced through the evaluation panel review phase, and eventually learned that we were among the small percentage of organizations that made it to the final stage.

In March 2024, Jim Smith (Executive Director) called Elizabeth Martinez (Director of Operations) and Sharon Castronovo (Director of Finance & Administration) and asked:

“Are you two together? Are you sitting down?”

He then read aloud an email which stated that we had been selected to receive a $2 million gift through the Yield Giving Open Call (you may remember that our original request was $1 million!). 

Some excerpts from the email:

"We are thrilled to inform you that Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach, Inc. has been selected as an Awardee for the Yield Giving Open Call and will receive a gift of $2 million.

Congratulations! ... The Open Call initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each; however, in light of the potential impact of organizations, as judged by peer and external evaluators, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool to more than 250 organizations and to give a mix of $1 million and $2 million gifts. As mentioned above, your organization will receive $2 million because it was in the group of highest-scoring organizations."

We had to wait another two weeks before we could tell ANYONE. That was tough! 

One or two forms and a couple of brief phone calls later, the gift was ours. We waited for a while for further instructions, but they never came. That was it. 

Time100 Philanthropy writes:

"Scott requires no follow-up from recipients. There are zero buildings, plazas, or endowed chairs named after her. She has declined to talk to the media, beyond the essay she writes each time she gives a new round of grants." 

This gift has strengthened and amplified SCPO’s operational capabilities in transformative ways, building upon a foundation of long-time and recent supporters. It also helped us continue a major aspect of our strategic plan: paying competitive wages and retaining our highly skilled staff, many of whom have lived experience with incarceration, homelessness, substance use, and recovery. While the gift has provided long-term stability through thoughtful stewardship (see: Candid Platinum Rating), our future still depends on continued community investment. We hope MacKenzie Scott’s example of bold generosity inspires others to support SCPO’s sustainability and growth for generations to come.  

As part of the gift, we are now members of the Bold Solutions Network and one of just four re-entry members in the world. Our residents and alumni give truth to our belief that:

Humans have inherent goodness, value, and strength, and can lead fulfilling lives. 

Membership in the Bold Solutions Network has also provided us access to many valuable services at no cost to us (estimated value thus far at least $25,000), including strategic consultation, data feedback loops, resilience training, and document translation services, not to mention countless webinars and chances to network. Between the growth of the original gift, the no-cost services we have received, and the original request of $1 million, we have gained so much value and exposure. 

We were never able to thank you directly MacKenzie, but we did send a thank you letter “into the nether,” as we joke, and honored you with a megre little leaf on the Maureen Nielsen Tree of Life at Nielsen House.

Sharing wealth quietly is a Bold Solution.

Our work at Spiritus Christi Prison Outreachis a Bold Solution.

Hopefully, someday, both are ordinary.