Morgan State University, a historically Black university in Baltimore, announced it has received a $63 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This contribution marks the single largest gift in the institution's 158-year history and brings Scott's total donations to the university to $103 million.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan State University received a $63 million unrestricted donation from MacKenzie Scott.
- This is the largest single gift in the university's history.
- Scott has now donated a total of $103 million to the university, following a $40 million gift in 2020.
- The funds will be used to grow the university's endowment, support student success initiatives, and advance community programs.
A Historic Contribution for the University
Morgan State University confirmed the landmark $63 million contribution on Wednesday. The funds are unrestricted, granting the university full discretion over their allocation to best serve its strategic goals and student population. This second major gift from Scott underscores a continued confidence in the university's direction and management.
David Wilson, the university's president, commented on the significance of the repeated support. He emphasized that receiving two historic gifts highlights the trust Scott and her team place in the institution's leadership and future.
"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 institution’s stewardship, leadership, and trajectory. This is more than philanthropy — it’s a partnership in progress."
This new donation builds upon a previous $40 million gift from Scott in 2020, which at the time was also the largest in the university's history. The combined $103 million represents a substantial investment in the future of the Northeast Baltimore institution.
Understanding Unrestricted Gifts
An unrestricted gift allows the receiving institution to use the funds for any purpose it deems necessary. This flexibility is highly valued as it enables leadership to address the most urgent needs, invest in long-term strategic goals, or respond to unexpected opportunities without donor-imposed limitations.
Strategic Plans for the Funds
The university has outlined three primary areas for the allocation of the $63 million gift. A significant portion will be directed toward strengthening the university's endowment, which provides a stable, long-term source of funding for its operations and programs.
Another key focus will be enhancing support for student success. This can include scholarships, academic support services, research opportunities, and other initiatives designed to improve retention and graduation rates. The university aims to ensure students have the resources they need to thrive academically and professionally.
Finally, the funds will be used to advance initiatives within the city of Baltimore. This reflects the university's commitment to its role as an anchor institution and its dedication to contributing to the well-being of the surrounding community.
Building on a Foundation of Growth
This donation arrives as Morgan State experiences a period of significant expansion and academic achievement. The university is currently the third-largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States and is actively pursuing a prestigious Research One (R1) Carnegie classification. If successful, it would become only the second HBCU to achieve this elite status.
For the fifth consecutive year, Morgan State has set a new enrollment record, now serving 11,200 students. This includes a robust graduate program with more than 1,000 Ph.D. candidates.
The university is also breaking new ground in medical education. It is in the process of launching the nation's first public, nonprofit medical school at an HBCU, an effort supported by an initial $1.75 million grant.
The Ripple Effect of Philanthropy
The university described Scott's first gift in 2020 as a "watershed moment." That $40 million donation not only provided critical funding but also catalyzed further philanthropic interest in the institution. It inspired other major contributions, including a record-setting $20 million gift from alumnus Calvin Tyler and his wife, Tina. At the time, this was the largest donation ever made by an alumnus of an HBCU.
The 2020 funds were instrumental in establishing several key campus centers, including:
- The Center for Urban Health Equity
- The National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities
- Several endowed faculty chairs to attract and retain top academic talent
India DeCordova, vice president for institutional advancement, stated that the continued support from Scott affirms the university's positive trajectory. She noted that the gift confirms Morgan State is "not only rising but leading, charting a bold path forward for our students and our institution."
MacKenzie Scott's Broader Giving
MacKenzie Scott, an author and the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has become one of the world's most prominent philanthropists. With a net worth estimated at $32.3 billion, she is a signatory of the Giving Pledge, a commitment by many of the world's wealthiest individuals to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.
To date, Scott has donated nearly $20 billion to more than 2,500 nonprofit organizations across the country. Her giving has frequently focused on educational institutions, particularly HBCUs. In 2020, she also gave $25 million to Bowie State University and $20 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. More recently, last month she donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the largest private scholarship provider for HBCUs.
Her philanthropic model often involves large, unrestricted gifts, which are intended to empower organizations to pursue their missions as they see fit. This approach places significant trust in the leadership of the recipient institutions.
