The Trevor Project, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, announced on January 12 that it has received a landmark $45 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This contribution marks the largest single donation in the organization’s 27-year history and arrives at a critical juncture, particularly following the Trump Administration’s decision to cut $25 million in federal funding last year.
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, expressed immense gratitude for Scott’s donation, which comes on the heels of her previous gift of $6 million in 2020. “This extraordinary contribution comes at a pivotal moment for our organization and the LGBTQ+ young people we serve,” Black stated on the nonprofit’s website.
Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis intervention and support for LGBTQ+ individuals facing challenges such as coming out, identity issues, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The organization also engages in peer support and advocates for policies aimed at suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth, a group for whom statistics indicate that approximately 40 million seriously consider suicide each year.
Black lamented the impact of the funding cuts, noting that even at their highest capacity, the organization has only reached a fraction of the youth in need of assistance. “Hundreds of thousands of young people each year still go without the life-saving support they deserve,” he remarked.
The recent donation carries even greater significance as it comes after the Trump Administration’s cessation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program last July. Black called the termination of this program “devastating,” emphasizing that suicide prevention transcends politics.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Black shared his astonishment regarding Scott’s latest gift. “I literally could not believe it, and it took some time. I actually gasped,” he recalled. He praised Scott’s generosity, stating that the new funds would be prudently invested to enhance core crisis services and work towards creating a world where every LGBTQ+ young person feels loved and supported.
The Trevor Project is more determined than ever to tackle the pressing issue of LGBTQ+ youth suicide, with research indicating that these young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. As the organization continues its vital work, it encourages anyone struggling with mental health issues to reach out for help, reinforcing the message that support is only a call or text away at 988 or via 988lifeline.org, available 24/7.