MacKenzie Scott Donates $50 Million to Winston-Salem State University

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $50 million to Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), marking the largest single-donor contribution in the institution’s 133-year history. The donation, announced on Wednesday, builds upon a previous $30 million gift Scott made to the university in 2020.

Scott, who is known for her significant philanthropic efforts, especially towards historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), has now contributed a total of $80 million to WSSU. Her wealth, estimated at $42 billion, primarily stems from her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“This gift is truly life-changing for our students and our community,” said WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown. “It empowers us to make a high-quality education accessible, affordable, and within reach for students who never believed college was possible.”

The funds are unrestricted, allowing the university to allocate the money to areas of greatest need. Brown stated that the university intends to develop a comprehensive plan to prioritize student needs and resources that can make a lasting impact.

Scott’s donations this fall also include significant contributions to several other HBCUs, such as $63 million to Prairie View A&M University in Texas and $50 million to Bowie State University in Maryland. Her commitment to support minority education institutions highlights her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy.

“Higher education is the pathway to upward social mobility for our students and the communities we serve,” Brown added. “With this gift, their futures are brighter than ever.”

In total, Scott has contributed over $1.7 billion to various organizations, with a significant focus on HBCUs. Her philanthropic efforts have been described as transformative by many university leaders during a time when federal funding for such institutions has been historically inadequate.