Morgan receives record $63 million gift from repeat donor MacKenzie Scott

On the heels of its Homecoming, Morgan State University received a school record donation, from its largest sole donor, MacKenzie Scott, as the philanthropist awarded the university with $63 million, her second sizable donation to the university in under five years.

Wednesday’s donation is now the largest gift from a donor to the university since Scott gifted the school $40 million in 2020, bringing her total donations to $103 million.

“MacKenzie Scott’s renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work we’ve done to drive transformation, not only within our campus but throughout the communities we serve,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, said in a statement.

“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.”

According to a release from the university, the $63 million gift will be used to increase the university’s endowment, “enhance support for student success, and advance initiatives that enhance Morgan’s role as an anchor institution in Baltimore and a Public Impact Very High Research University.”

Morgan State University joins 37 HBCUs this year to receive funding from Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. In September, Scott donated $70 million to the nonprofit philanthropic organization, The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to be invested within the organization’s Members Pooled Endowment Fund which will serve its 37 private member institutions around the country.

Scott’s donation comes following an August meeting where the university’s board of regents voted unanimously to authorize a 2% tuition increase, along with 5% and 8% hikes for housing and board rates.

The university’s statement did not mention if the funds would waive the potential tuition hike.

“We are grateful for donors like MacKenzie Scott, whose groundbreaking vision through philanthropy has created sustained, generational impact at Morgan,” said Endia DeCordova, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the Morgan State University Foundation. “Our thoughtful stewardship of her initial gift has strengthened Morgan’s capacity to grow our endowment and create meaningful opportunities for our students while strategically investing in the University’s future.”