By Renewal News Network Researchers

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November 4, 2025

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When philanthropist MacKenzie Scott makes the news, it is rarely for personal reasons. Her announcements are anything but small. In the past few months alone, Scott has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and to organizations dedicated to long-term community resilience. Each gift shares a common trait: it is large, unrestricted, and quietly transformative.

A Historic $80 Million Gift to Howard University

In late October, Howard University announced an $80 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, one of the largest donations in the university's 158-year history. Of this total, $63 million is allocated to the university as a whole, while $17 million will enhance its College of Medicine. The unrestricted nature of this gift allows Howard to invest in areas of greatest need, such as increasing financial aid, upgrading medical facilities, or ensuring stability amid delays in federal funding. Howard University President Ben Vinson III described the donation as a "transformative commitment to the future of Black excellence." The timing is significant, as the university has been facing funding shortfalls related to congressional appropriations. Scott's contribution provides the flexibility and resources needed to sustain programs long after political circumstances change. This is not Scott's first act of generosity toward Howard University. She previously donated $40 million in 2020 as part of her first wave of educational philanthropy. However, this new gift indicates a deepening relationship and a broader mission to strengthen institutions that serve as engines of opportunity for historically marginalized communities.

Morgan State: A Second Gift, Even Larger

Just weeks earlier, in October 2025, Morgan State University, a prominent historically Black college and university (HBCU), announced a groundbreaking, unrestricted $63 million donation from MacKenzie Scott (the largest in its history). This contribution is also her second significant gift to the Baltimore campus, following a $40 million donation five years prior. Morgan State President David Wilson stated that this donation would "accelerate our path toward becoming a top-tier public research university." The funds are expected to enhance the school's endowment, expand research capabilities, and improve student support systems. For a university that has historically balanced ambition with limited resources, Scott’s consecutive donations present a rare opportunity for long-term planning. Scott's approach to philanthropy differs significantly from traditional methods, where donors often dictate how their funds should be allocated. Instead, she provides recipients with full discretion, trusting that those closest to the mission understand best how to utilize the resources. This trust-based philosophy has enabled Morgan State to align its expenditures with its strategic goals rather than adhering to a donor's timeline.

Strengthening HBCUs Through UNCF

Before the donations to Morgan and Howard, in September 2025, Scott gifted $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), marking one of her largest institutional donations of the year. This grant supports a $370 million endowment initiative that benefits 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide. Unlike project-based funding, the UNCF initiative focuses on establishing long-term financial security for the colleges it represents. Michael Lomax, president of UNCF, described the gift as a turning point. He stated, “For generations, HBCUs have done more with less. This level of unrestricted investment gives them the means to plan boldly for the next century.” The gift highlights a consistent theme in Scott's philanthropic approach: rather than financing temporary programs, she invests in institutional strength, helping colleges achieve the financial stability that has historically been denied to them.

A Broader Ecosystem of Giving

Although her donations to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have received significant attention, they are part of a much larger philanthropic effort by Scott. In 2025 alone, she distributed nearly $1 billion to initiatives focused on education, equity, and disaster recovery. Earlier this month, she contributed $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to aid long-term disaster resilience and recovery efforts in communities vulnerable to climate change. Her giving cycle in 2024 involved another $2 billion awarded to hundreds of smaller nonprofits. Each grant adhered to the same principle: providing unrestricted support to organizations that serve communities often overlooked by traditional philanthropy.

A Philosophy of Trust and Speed

Since 2019, MacKenzie Scott has donated over $19 billion to more than 2,400 organizations. What sets her approach apart is not just the scale of her giving but also her method. Her process is quick, her oversight minimal, and her expectations straightforward: use the funds to create positive change in the way you see fit. This model, often referred to as "trust-based philanthropy," challenges the traditional norms of charitable giving. By eliminating restrictions, Scott shifts power from donors to those actively making an impact. This empowerment can have a transformative effect on institutions like Howard University and Morgan State University, allowing them to shape their futures with greater independence from inconsistent grants or fluctuating political funding cycles.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of Scott's donations extends beyond just financial contributions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that received her initial funding in 2020 have reported measurable improvements, including increased enrollment, stronger retention rates, and greater endowment stability. A recent study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that organizations benefiting from Scott's donations experience higher morale, greater financial resilience, and expanded reach. Her influence may also be inspiring a cultural shift. Other major donors are beginning to follow her lead by offering flexible, multi-year support to educational and community institutions. In this regard, Scott's most significant contribution may be her redefinition of what philanthropy can look like in the twenty-first century.

Investing in Resilience

MacKenzie Scott's recent surge in charitable giving—from Howard University to Morgan State University, from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy—is unified by a central idea: lasting resilience. Whether addressing a natural disaster, funding inequities, or a history of underinvestment, her approach emphasizes stability and self-determination as the most powerful tools for progress. For the institutions she supports, this philosophy provides breathing room—the ability to plan, grow, and innovate without waiting for permission. In a philanthropic landscape still dominated by restrictions and oversight, Scott's generosity feels radical in its simplicity. In her own words, it is about "yielding power." By doing this, she may be offering something far more valuable than money: the freedom to envision what comes next.