Copyright AL.com
An Alabama HBCU just received a large boost in its budget thanks to a well known philanthropist. Alabama State University announced on Instagram that MacKenzie Scott donated $38 million to the Montgomery-based institution. It is the largest donation in the university’s 156-year history, according to ASU President Quinton Ross Jr. Scott’s third HBCU-related donation this year is happening about a week after she sent $63 million to Morgan State University in Baltimore. In September, the United Negro College Fund announced a $70 million gift from Scott to help boost the financial health of the 37 HBCUs UNCF serves. ASU is Alabama’s second-largest HBCU behind Alabama A&M University in Huntsville. Last weekend, ASU brought home a win from the Magic City Classic, the largest HBCU-rivalry game in the nation. Alabama is also the home of 14 HBCUs – the most of any state in the country. According to previous stories, Scott’s donations are unrestricted. ASU’s press release didn’t detail how they plan to use the funds, but commenters who celebrated the donation on Instagram had some ideas, including housing and student debt. “I expect graduating seniors to have no balances and a majority of the 2026 freshmen class to have full scholarships,” one commenter said. Ross thanked Scott for her donation and explained why it was so important in a press release. “Ms. Scott’s generosity affirms Alabama State University’s reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education,” Ross said. “This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU’s history.”
