MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist, has donated a historic $50 million to Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), making it the largest single gift in the university’s 133-year history. This donation is part of Scott’s ongoing giving streak this fall, where she has given over $19 billion to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The university says that Scott’s gift will transform lives for generations, empowering students to access high-quality education affordably. The donation also builds on Scott’s previous 2020 $30 million gift.
This fall, Scott made record-breaking donations of $80 million to Howard University, $19 million to Voorhees University, and $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). She has pledged to give away most of her wealth, worth roughly $36 billion, with an estimated donation of over $19.25 billion through her philanthropic platform Yield Giving.
Scott’s dedication to diversity-focused giving is evident in these recent donations. Her gifts often go towards supporting endowment growth, student recruitment and retention, scholarships, and deferred maintenance. The university says that Scott’s investment will ensure long-term institutional sustainability and continued academic excellence.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/11/13/mackenzie-scott-life-changing-record-breaking-hbcu-gifts-400-million