MacKenzie Scott Donates $70M to UNCF, Boosting HBCUs
MacKenzie Scott has made a substantial donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), giving $70 million to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This significant gift, seven times larger than her previous donation in 2020, brings the total amount she has given to the UNCF to $80 million.
The donation will bolster the UNCF Members Pooled Endowment Fund, aiming to raise $370 million in total. With this contribution, each of the 37 private UNCF member HBCUs will receive a share of the fund, moving them closer to their goal of a $10 million share per institution. Scott's donation has now provided each school with a $5 million share.
UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax praised Scott's generosity, dubbing her 'Saint MacKenzie Scott' and acknowledging her impact on philanthropy. Lomax also encouraged other philanthropic organizations to increase their giving in response to Scott's lead.
This week's donation is one of Scott's first publicly disclosed gifts of 2025, adding to the $1 billion UNCF Capital Campaign launched in 2021. Scott's commitment to giving away most of her fortune to charities, including the UNCF, continues to strengthen the long-term financial health of HBCUs.
