HBCUs within the Atlanta University Center have already begun putting to use the $55 million donation from MacKenzie Scott. The philanthropist made the contribution after her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, receiving Amazon stock valued at more than $38 billion. On her own mission, Scott pledged to give away much of her wealth, directing significant sums to Black institutions in the wake of the 2020 protests for Black Lives Matter. That July, she gave $20 million each to Morehouse and Spelman, with Clark Atlanta receiving $15 million later in the year.
The donations came without restrictions, giving school leaders freedom to decide how best to use the funds. For institutions historically underfunded compared to their peers, the money provided support for scholarships, endowments, and new campus facilities. At Morehouse, the gift has been used toward construction of a three-story, 58,000-square-foot campus center designed to serve as a hub for students. The project is expected to cost $80 million, with Scott’s contribution covering a significant portion. Administrators noted the importance of a donor showing full trust in HBCUs to determine their own needs and priorities.
Clark Atlanta allocated $10 million of its donation to its endowment, a move its president described as a “turning point” for the university. It remains the largest single private gift in the school’s history. The funding also went to the W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development, with $500,000 set aside for full-tuition scholarships for graduates of Atlanta Public Schools.
At Spelman, more than half of the $20 million gift strengthened the endowment. With its smaller enrollment of about 2,100 students at the time, the school was able to provide each student with a $3,500 award. The rest of the money was directed toward technology upgrades and enhancing the student experience.
Beyond the direct impact, the schools noted that the donations served as a signal to other philanthropists that HBCUs were worthy of investment. Inspired by Scott’s example, additional fundraising efforts drew millions more from other sources. Leaders across the AUC emphasized that the gift elevated the visibility of Black institutions and reinforced their role in supporting future generations of scholars.
Scott has continued her philanthropy across a wide range of causes, with billions still left to distribute. Her contribution to the AUC not only advanced immediate projects but also sparked a movement highlighting the importance of sustained investment in HBCUs.
