$120 million in two new gifts from MacKenzie Scott will advance educational equity for historically underfunded communities

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has announced two significant contributions totaling $120 million, underscoring her continued focus on advancing educational equity for historically underfunded communities.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) received a $70 million gift, while the Native Forward Scholars Fund was awarded $50 million—both donations described as “transformational” by the organizations.

At UNCF, Scott’s $70 million gift will be directed to the Members Pooled Endowment Fund, designed to strengthen the long-term financial health of 37 private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The fund’s goal is to raise $370 million, with about $10 million earmarked for each institution. Scott’s donation immediately secures a $5 million stake for every member school and advances UNCF’s broader $1 billion Capital Campaign, launched in 2021 to provide critical resources to Black institutions.

The gift follows her $10 million contribution in 2020, bringing her total giving to UNCF to $80 million.

President and CEO Michael L. Lomax called the donation a new benchmark for philanthropy, saying, “We often say we do more with less. Now it’s time for us to do more with more.”

Announced during HBCU Week 2025, the gift comes amid a surge in federal support, with the Department of Education recently increasing HBCU funding to $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2025.

Scott also awarded $50 million to the Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of scholarships to Native students in the United States.

This is her second significant investment in the organization, which has supported over 22,000 scholars from more than 500 Tribes across all 50 states since its founding in 1969.

Native Forward CEO Angelique Albert, a citizen of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, said the unrestricted funding will enable the group to expand wraparound services and meet the growing demand for scholarships, which has surged by 35% this year.

Building on Scott’s earlier support, Native Forward has already launched six new scholarships, created a $2 million endowment, and broadened its programming to help Native students not only enroll but also graduate at higher-than-average rates.

Board Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said the contribution reflects “the trust that national leaders like MacKenzie Scott place in our ability to deliver long-term change.”

Together, the $70 million for UNCF and the $50 million for Native Forward highlight Scott’s ongoing pledge to give away the majority of her $30 billion fortune, as well as her commitment to bolstering institutions that have historically been overlooked by major philanthropy.