Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has donated more than a whopping $300 million over the course of just one month to universities and higher education scholarship organizations.
The 55-year-old divorcee seems to be focusing her efforts on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as nonprofit organizations that promote higher education access and affordability for students of color.
‘Votes are not the only way to show what we’d like to see more of in our societies,’ Scott wrote on her website, Yield Giving, amid the news of her latest philanthropy.
‘There are many ways to influence how we move through the world and where we land,’ she said.
Scott’s efforts apparently began in mid-October, when she gave Morgan State University, a Maryland-based HBCU, a $63 million unrestricted gift – its largest ever.
The university announced the funds on October 15, noting that it was Scott’s second major contribution to the school in less than five years.
In 2020, she had donated $40 million to the institution – which is the third largest HBCU in the nation.
Jeff Bezos ‘s ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has donated more than a whopping $300 million over the course of just one month to universities and higher education scholarship organizations
University officials said they would use the money to ‘further strengthen Morgan’s endowment, enhance support for student success and to advance initiatives that enhance Morgan’s role as an anchor institution in Baltimore and a Public Impact Very High Research University.’
‘MacKenzie Scott’s renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work we’ve done to drive transformation, not only within our campus, but throughout the communities we serve,’ President David Wilson said.
‘To receive one historic gift from Ms Scott was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about the confidence she and her team have in our institutions, stewardship, leadership and trajectory,’ he added.
‘This is more than philanthropy – it’s a partnership in progress.’
But Scott also donated $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore one week later, representing the largest single gift in the school’s history.
She had previously given $20 million to the institution five years ago.
‘This gift is a resounding vote of confidence in UMES and in the strategic direction President [Heidi] Anderson has said,’ University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman said.
‘MacKenzie Scott’s generosity will deepen the university’s capacity to serve students, strengthen communities across the Eastern Shore and expand UMES’s national impact as a high-value, high-quality HBCU.’
Scott’s efforts apparently began in mid-October, when she gave Morgan State University (pictured), a Maryland-based HBCU, a $63 million unrestricted gift – its largest ever
She also donated $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (pictured) one week later, representing the largest single gift in the school’s history
In a message to the UMES community, Anderson said the school will take suggestions on how to use the newfound money.
The letter notes, however, that a ‘significant portion’ would go toward strengthening the school’s endowment, Maryland Matters reports.
Some other uses for the money at the school of nearly 3,000 students would go toward scholarships, academic research and the creation of internships, apprenticeships and jobs.
David Balcom, the vice president for university relations, added that the funding could also be used toward the implementation of the school’s new school of veterinary medicine, which is slated to begin in the fall of 2027.
‘We’re still charting how best to use the funds, but literally hundreds of students will be supported by these funds over time,’ he said.
Scott’s more recent donations include a $38 million gift to Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery.
University president Quinton Ross said the donation ‘marks a defining moment’ in the 158-year history of the school, as its largest-ever gift.
‘Ms Scott’s generosity reaffirms Alabama State University’s reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education,’ he said.
‘This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU’s history.’
Scott’s more recent donations include a $38 million gift to Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery (pictured)
Scott further gave away $42 million this week to Alcorn State University in Mississippi after previously giving the school a $25 million gift in 2020, according to HBCU Gameday.
‘Receiving another record transformational gift within five years is both a powerful affirmation of Alcorn’s impact and a charge to all Alcornites to help accelerate our work for student success, campus sustainability and enrollment growth,’ Dr Marcus D Ward, senior vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation.
Like Morgan, university leaders will collaborate with the ASU Foundation to strategically allocate the money across initiatives that strengthen the school’s infrastructure, enhance academic programs and expand access.
‘This gift opens a new chapter for Alcorn State,’ said Dr Tracy M Cook, the university president. ‘We will use every dollar to support students, strengthen the university and serve Mississippi and the nation for generations to come.’
In addition to the millions Scott has given individual schools, the philanthropist gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund in September, which will be invested in the UNCF Pooled Endowment Fund – designed to strengthen the long-term financial health of its 37 member institutions.
The donation brings the organization closer to its goal of raising $370 million specifically for the endowment.
Scott also made a $10 million unrestricted donation to the George M. Pullman Educational Fund this month, as well as a $42 million gift to 10,000 Degrees, a California-based nonprofit.
Scott, 55, is estimated to have a net worth of more than $33 billion, most of which came as part of her divorce settlement in 2019, when she received a four percent stake in Amazon
Those funds would be used to help the organization expand its support for low-income students, the group announced.
‘We are deeply grateful for Ms Scott’s confidence and investment in our mission and proven college success model,’ President and CEO Kim Mazzuca said.
‘This extraordinary gift is not only a bold affirmation of the power of education, but it is a vital investment in our communities at a time when it’s needed most.’
Finally, the Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of college scholarships for Native American students, announced a $50 million gift from Scott this fall, marking her second major gift to the fund.
Her most recent donation is the largest private donation to date to a Native American organization, and comes as Native Forward is seeing a 35 percent increase in scholarship applications, according to Forbes.
‘This unrestricted gift allows us to meet Native students where they are, respond to their most pressing needs and ensure they not only enroll, but thrive and graduate,’ said Angelique Albert, CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund.
Scott is estimated to have a net worth of more than $33 billion, most of which came as part of her divorce settlement in 2019, when she received a four percent stake in Amazon.
She has since signed the Giving Pledge, vowing to give away at least half of her fortune over the course of her lifetime.
