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In the past month, MacKenzie Scott has given more than $300 million to various colleges and scholarship organizations advancing her commitment to diversity. equity and inclusion efforts. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Getty Images In just the span of one month billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $300 million dollars to various universities and higher education scholarship organizations, with the latest gift being a $38 million dollar donation to Alabama State University on Monday. Scott’s recent higher education giving has been focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and nonprofits that promote higher education access and affordability for traditionally underserved students of color. Her philanthropy has been a major source of support for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at a time when such initiatives have been under unrelenting attack from the Trump administration. Here’s a rundown of seven recent gifts, most of which represent repeat donations to the recipients. Alabama State University On Monday, Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery, Alabama, announced it had received a $38 million gift from Scott. “Today marks a defining moment in the history of Alabama State University,” Alabama State University President Quinton Ross said in a statement. “I am filled with immense gratitude and proud to announce that Alabama State University has received the largest single donation in its 158-year history… Ms. Scott’s generosity affirms Alabama State University’s reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education. This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU’s history.” University of Maryland Eastern Shore Last week, Scott donated $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, representing the largest single gift in the university’s history. She had previously given $20 million to the institution five years ago, bringing her total donations to $58 million. UMES is a Historically Black, 1890 Land Grant institution that’s part of the University System of Maryland. MORE FOR YOU "This gift is a resounding vote of confidence in UMES and in the strategic direction President (Heidi) Anderson has set," University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman said in a statement. "Mackenzie Scott's generosity will deepen the university's capacity to serve students, strengthen communities across the Eastern Shore, and expand UMES's national impact as a high-value, high-quality HBCU." The university plans to use the money for various causes, including need-based scholarships and emergency grants for students, funds for interdisciplinary research, student success support, and community-based initiatives and partnerships. Morgan State University Scott gave Morgan State University, another Maryland-based HBCU, a $63 million unrestricted gift, its largest ever donation. Announced by the University on October 15, it was Scott’s second major contribution to Morgan State in less than five years. In 2020, she gave $40 million to the institution, the nation’s third-largest HBCU. The university said the $63 million would be used “to further strengthen Morgan’s endowment, enhance support for student success, and advance initiatives that enhance Morgan’s role as an anchor institution in Baltimore and a Public Impact Very High Research University.” “MacKenzie Scott’s renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work we’ve done to drive transformation, not only within our campus but throughout the communities we serve,” added Morgan State David K. Wilson, in a statement. “To receive one historic gift from Ms. Scott was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about the confidence she and her team have in our institution’s stewardship, leadership, and trajectory. This is more than philanthropy—it’s a partnership in progress.” United Negro College Fund (UNCF) In September, Scott gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The gift will be invested in the UNCF Members Pooled Endowment Fund, which is designed to strengthen the long-term financial health of its 37 member institutions. “This extraordinary gift is a powerful vote of confidence in HBCUs and in the work of UNCF,” said UNCF Resident and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax, adding, “it provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our member institutions to build permanent assets that will support students and campuses for decades to come.” The gift brings UNCF closer to its goal of raising $370 million specifically for its endowment. Scott previously contributed $10 million to UNCF in 2020. George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Scott made a $10 million unrestricted donation to the George M. Pullman Educational Foundation in October. The nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to advancing access to higher education for Cook County students, said the gift would go into its endowment to help fund its Pullman Scholars program. “Ms. Scott’s award is an extraordinary affirmation of our Pullman Scholars’ program, which is anchored by a unique ecosystem that has evolved over the years in response to our students’ wants and needs. We are profoundly appreciative for this support, which was unanticipated but comes at a significant juncture in our program,” George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Executive Director Eric Delli Bovi said, in the announcement. 10,000 Degrees In early October, 10,000 Degrees, the California-based nonprofit, announced a $42 million gift from Scott to help it expand its support for low-income students attending college. “We are deeply grateful for Ms. Scott’s confidence and investment in our mission and proven college success model,” said Kim Mazzuca, President and CEO of 10,000 Degrees. “This extraordinary gift is not only a bold affirmation of the power of education, but it is a vital investment in our communities at a time when it’s needed most.” Since its founding in 1981, 10,000 Degrees has become one of the leading college success organizations in the nation, providing scholarships and other support to more than 16,000 students and alumni every year. Its model has led to 80% of its four-year college students graduating – double the national average – as well as community college students transferring and graduating from four-year colleges at twice the national rate. Native Forward Scholars Fund The Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of college scholarships for Native students, announced a $50 million gift from Scott this fall, marking her second major gift to the organization. In 2020, Scott gave the organization — then called the American Indian Graduate Center — a $20 million unrestricted donation. The investment will help expand Native Forward’s reach, which now includes more than 22,000 scholars from more than 500 tribes across all 50 states. The organization provides between $13 to $15 million in annual scholarships to students. The gift is the largest private donation to date to a Native American organization and comes as Native Forward is seeing a 35% increase in scholarship applications. The new investment will allow Native Forward to meet more of this demand while continuing to strengthen the support services it provides students. “We are incredibly grateful for MacKenzie Scott’s commitment to trust-based philanthropy,” said Angelique Albert, CEO of the Native Forward Scholars Fund. “This unrestricted gift allows us to meet Native students where they are, respond to their most pressing needs, and ensure they not only enroll, but thrive and graduate.” MacKenzie Scott is the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Forbes estimates that she is worth more than $33 billion, most of which came as part of her divorce settlement in 2019, when she received a 4% stake in Amazon. In May 2019, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away at least half of her wealth over the course of her lifetime. On her Yield Giving website, Scott discuss the more than $19 billion she has since donated to over to 2,00 organizaations. Scott’s philosophy of giving allows the nonprofits to which she donates to have full control over how to use her gifts. In a recent post, she praised the generosity of small donors and the many volunteers who work on behalf of others, writing that while her latest round of major gifts will attract a lot of news, “any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal expressions of care being shared into the world this year.” Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
