Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has made one of her largest single donations to date—a $70 million gift to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The donation supports the UNCF’s ongoing $1 billion capital campaign to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which have long faced chronic underfunding compared to other higher education institutions.
The UNCF announced the gift Tuesday on Instagram, calling it a “landmark” contribution that represents a major show of support for Black higher education. “MacKenzie Scott’s $70 million landmark gift is what it looks like to stand with HBCUs and students,” the organization said, adding that the funds will go toward the UNCF Members Pooled Endowment Fund.
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According to the organization, Scott’s donation will have a transformative impact, increasing the median endowment of UNCF member schools from $15.9 million to $25.9 million—a 63% rise. For many HBCUs that operate with limited resources, this endowment growth represents a significant step toward long-term financial stability.
The gift also comes amid a broader effort by both private donors and the U.S. government to bolster funding for HBCUs. The Trump administration previously redirected $435 million in Department of Education funds to HBCUs, while the Biden administration followed with an additional $1.3 billion in 2024, bringing total investments during Biden’s term to over $17 billion. Still, HBCUs continue to face funding disparities compared to predominantly white institutions.
Scott, who became one of the world’s wealthiest women after her 2019 divorce from Bezos, signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of her fortune. As of late 2024, she had donated more than $19 billion, much of it in unrestricted grants that allow recipients full discretion over how to use the funds. Her philanthropy has often centered on racial equity, education, and community-focused organizations.
Education—especially support for HBCUs—has been a major focus of Scott’s giving. In 2020, she donated over $500 million to HBCUs, part of more than $800 million given to colleges that year. Major beneficiaries included Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University, which collectively received $55 million. Scott also previously donated $10 million to UNCF that same year.
UNCF President Michael Lomax expressed deep appreciation for Scott’s renewed commitment. “By entrusting UNCF to decide how best to use these funds, she affirms that HBCUs merit investment at this scale,” Lomax said. “Her generosity will strengthen our member institutions and provide pathways to success for tomorrow’s changemakers.”
With this latest $70 million donation, MacKenzie Scott continues to reshape the financial landscape for Black higher education—helping HBCUs not only survive but thrive in a competitive and often unequal educational system.
