MacKenzie Scott Gifts $50M to Virginia State University

MacKenzie Scott has donated $50 million to Virginia State University, the largest gift the 143-year-old HBCU has ever received from an individual donor.

That’s on top of the $30 million she donated to the institution in 2020 as part of a broader $4.2 billion effort to support underfunded organizations.

“Ms. Scott’s generosity and trust in our mission will change the trajectory of Virginia State University for generations to come,” said VSU president Makola M. Abdullah. “Her investment allows us to continue to build upon our legacy of excellence and expand our reach to more students who deserve access to a world-class education.”

Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated billions of dollars to philanthropic causes, with a special emphasis on minority-serving higher education institutions. Last month she donated $63 million to Morgan State University, another HBCU.

Scott signed the Giving Pledge in 2019, vowing to give away at least half her wealth.