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MacKenzie Scott Gives $80 Million To Howard As HBCU Gift Surge Reaches $172 Million

The unrestricted award follows her trust-based approach, arriving during federal funding delays affecting campuses.

Overview

  • Howard University announced an $80 million unrestricted gift split $63 million for the university and $17 million for its College of Medicine.
  • In the same burst of giving, Scott committed $50 million to Virginia State University and $42 million to Alcorn State University, bringing those three recent HBCU gifts to $172 million.
  • Spelman College confirmed a separate $38 million unrestricted donation that will expand financial aid and upgrade technology infrastructure.
  • Howard leaders said the funds will bolster student aid, infrastructure improvements, reserve capacity, and medical-center expansion as the government shutdown slows federal appropriations and grants.
  • Reporters note this round builds on multiyear, no‑strings donations to HBCUs and related groups, with cumulative support reported at just under $900 million, including recent gifts to Morgan State, Alabama State, UMES, and $70 million to UNCF.