by Marc H. Morial
(Trice Edney Wire) – “It’s easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts. Who nurtured a child in the kitchen; who was kind to a stranger in line at a grocery store; who gave fifty dollars to a local food shelter: these are not news stories. But all of it matters.” – MacKenzie Scott
When MacKenzie Scott announced hundreds of millions of dollars in unrestricted donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities —after record contributions to Urban League affiliates—it wasn’t just philanthropy. It was a game-changing reimagining of how resources can empower institutions that have long been underfunded and overlooked.
For generations, HBCUs have been engines of Black excellence, producing leaders, innovators, and changemakers despite chronic underinvestment. Scott’s approach—trust-based, unrestricted giving—has allowed these institutions to dream bigger and act faster, without the strings that often limit traditional grants.
Howard University received $80 million, including $17 million for its College of Medicine. President Wayne A. I. Frederick called the gift “transformational,” saying, “It will allow us to expand our research footprint and provide more scholarships for students who will become the next generation of leaders.”
Spelman College used its $38 million gift to increase scholarships and upgrade technology infrastructure. President Helene Gayle said, “This historic gift strengthens our ability to support talented students and ensure they have the resources to thrive.”
Morgan State University and Prairie View A&M each received $63 million, bolstering research capacity and faculty recruitment. Morgan State President David K. Wilson said the donation positioned the university to compete at the highest level and build an endowment that secures the institution’s future.
Alcorn State University, with a $42 million gift—the largest in its 154-year history—is investing in scholarships and campus improvements. President Felecia Nave said the gift will impact “generations of students.”
Scott also gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund to create a pooled endowment benefiting 37 member schools, strengthening financial sustainability across the HBCU network.
While HBCUs build future leaders, Urban League affiliates address immediate needs in housing, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Gifts like $7.4 million to Seattle and $6 million to Pittsburgh have expanded housing programs and connected thousands of families to jobs and childcare resources.
Since 2020, Scott has given away over $26 billion to more than 2,500 nonprofits that support causes like racial justice, education, and economic mobility.
Scott’s model challenges the status quo of philanthropy. By removing strings, she empowers organizations to respond to local needs with agility and vision. This is not charity—it’s partnership. And it’s a blueprint for how transformational giving can dismantle systemic barriers.
If we want lasting change, more donors must follow Scott’s lead: trust the organizations closest to the work, fund them boldly, and let them lead. Communities thrive when resources meet vision without constraint.
