MacKenzie Scott donates $80 million to Howard University, one of the largest gifts in its history

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has provided Howard University with a massive $80 million donation, one of the largest single gifts the institution has ever received.

With this contribution, Scott’s total recent support to Howard now reaches $132 million, including earlier gifts of $40 million in 2020 and $12 million in 2023. The latest funding is unrestricted and will benefit both the university and the Howard University College of Medicine.

University officials say the money will be used to further accelerate research, innovation, and student development.

Scott, who has made major philanthropic commitments to higher education in recent years, has emerged as one of the most significant funders of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). As per People magazine, she has donated over $500 million to HCBUs since 2019.

A Rutgers University report noted that Scott’s investments have strengthened HBCUs by improving retention, attracting top faculty and students, and upgrading campus infrastructure.

Out of this new $80 million allocation, $17 million will be reserved specifically for the College of Medicine part of which will support the development of a new Academic Medical Center, building on the innovation facility Scott funded in 2023 in partnership with Howard’s College of Engineering and Architecture.