Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Continues To Spend The Bezos Fortune Helping Black Students
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is making major headlines again — this time for her extraordinary generosity toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
According to reports, Scott has quietly given $300 million in donations in just one month, with several HBCUs receiving record-breaking gifts that will directly support scholarships, campus development, and access to affordable education for students of color.
Historic Gifts to HBCUs Across the South
One of her most recent donations was $38 million to Alabama State University, a public HBCU located in Montgomery, Alabama. University leaders called it a “transformational gift” that will strengthen academic programs, student housing, and financial aid for years to come.
Scott also gave $42 million to Alcorn State University in Mississippi, the largest single donation in that school’s 153-year history. Combined with a $25 million donation she made in 2020, Scott has now gifted a total of $67 million to Alcorn.
“These funds will help us recruit top talent, expand scholarships, and invest in new academic programs,” Alcorn officials said in a statement. “It’s a monumental moment for our university.”
Record-Breaking Support for Morgan State
In mid-October, Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, announced a staggering $63 million gift from Scott — marking the largest single donation in the university’s history.
The university confirmed this is Scott’s second major gift to Morgan in five years, reinforcing her deep commitment to institutions that serve underrepresented communities.
Morgan’s president, Dr. David Wilson, called the donation “a game-changer,” saying it will help the school expand graduate programs, upgrade facilities, and create new pathways for first-generation students.
More HBCUs Benefit
Scott also recently gave $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, located in Princess Anne, Maryland. That gift follows her $20 million donation to the school in 2020, bringing her total contribution to nearly $60 million.
In total, Scott’s latest round of giving represents one of the largest private funding waves to HBCUs in modern history — a direct investment in institutions that have long shaped generations of Black professionals, educators, and leaders.
Scott’s Mission: Equity and Access
MacKenzie Scott, who received a multibillion-dollar settlement following her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, has made a name for herself as one of the most active and independent philanthropists in the world.
Her focus, she says, is on “equity, inclusion, and long-term systemic change.” Through her foundation, Yield Giving, she has donated over $16 billion since 2019 to causes including racial justice, education, and women’s empowerment.
“Votes are not the only way to show what we’d like to see more of in our societies,” Scott wrote on her website. “There are many ways to influence how we move through the world and where we land.”
A Lasting Legacy
With this latest round of donations, Scott has cemented herself as one of the most impactful donors to HBCUs in U.S. history. Her giving not only uplifts campuses but also strengthens communities and futures across the country.
As one university president said, “She’s not just giving money — she’s investing in potential.”