mackenzie Scott donates $80 Million to Howard University
WASHINGTON – MacKenzie Scott has gifted howard University with $80 million, teh historically Black university announced Monday, marking one of the largest donations in its 166-year history.The substantial contribution will bolster Howard’s endowment and support its strategic priorities, particularly in the arts and humanities.
The donation arrives as Howard University navigates ambitious growth plans and seeks to expand opportunities for its students and faculty. Scott’s gift joins a recent wave of philanthropic support from the author and philanthropist to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), totaling over $240 million in the past month alone. This ongoing investment underscores a commitment to addressing systemic inequities in higher education and empowering institutions that serve underrepresented communities.
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick stated the donation will be used to establish an endowed chair in the arts and humanities, as the school announced in 2022.
Scott’s generosity extends beyond Howard, with recent gifts including $38 million to Spelman College in Atlanta, announced November 3, to enhance the student experience, modernize technology, and expand financial aid.She also donated $38 million to Alabama State University, $63 million to Morgan state University in Baltimore, and another $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore last month.
A former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Scott pledged to give the majority of her wealth to charitable causes following their divorce, joining the Giving Pledge in 2019. Her philanthropic approach is characterized by trust-based giving, providing recipients with flexibility in how they utilize the funds to best meet their needs.
