Good News Notes:

“Pressley Ridge, a nonprofit agency based in McCandless, announced Wednesday that it received a $10 million unrestricted gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

The gift is the single largest donation the organization has received in its 190-year history.

“We are grateful for and humbled by Ms. Scott’s investment in Pressley Ridge’s mission,” Susanne Cole, president and CEO, said in a statement.

Pressley Ridge provides foster care, adoption and mental and behavioral health services to children and their families. Its main campus is on the North Side.

The donation comes just after Pressley Ridge completed its three-year strategic plan with a primary focus on racial equity.

The organization said it would increase its capacity to address growing critical mental and behavioral health needs in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health issues, challenging society “in ways that could not be imagined,” the group said.

“This gift validates the tremendous work of the staff and leadership and presents an opportunity to have a greater impact on diverse communities throughout the region and beyond,” Pressley Ridge board chair Tisha Germany said.

Ms. Scott has been making sizable donations to nonprofits around the country in recent years. In 2021, Center of Life, an organization focused on helping the underserved community and K-12 students in the Hazelwood area, was among 286 organizations that received a donation from the billionaire philanthropist. The gift was part of $2.74 billion in donations by Ms. Scott….”

View the whole story here: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2022/03/30/pressley-ridge-mccandless-nonprofit-mackenzie-scott-10-million-foster-adoption-mental-behavioral-health-children-north-side/stories/202203300148