MacKenzie Scott Amplifies Commitment to DEI with Transformative $42 Million Donation
MacKenzie Scott’s Generous Donations Reinforce Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Major Donations to Support Students of Color and Underrepresented Communities
MacKenzie Scott continues to demonstrate her unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion through substantial, unrestricted financial support. Her recent donations include a remarkable $42 million to 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit organization based in the Bay Area dedicated to expanding college access for low-income and primarily non-white students.
In addition, Scott has committed eight-figure donations to support Native student scholars and HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) endowments through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). These actions underscore her ongoing strategy to enhance education opportunities for first-generation and underrepresented students of color.
Boosting 10,000 Degrees and Native Student Support
The $42 million gift to 10,000 Degrees represents the largest single donation in the organization’s 45-year history, aimed at creating opportunity pipelines for students who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education. Scott’s philanthropy further extends to Native Forward, the largest scholarship provider for Native students, reinforcing her commitment to racial equity in education amidst challenges facing the DEI sector.
Significant Impact on HBCUs through UNCF
In September, Scott made a transformational $70 million donation to UNCF, designed to boost pooled endowments across 37 HBCUs. This strategic move is intended to establish sustainable revenue streams and bridge historical funding disparities compared to predominantly white institutions.
This donation is one of Scott’s largest and builds upon her previous support for Black higher education, solidifying education equity as a cornerstone of her philanthropic endeavors.
Scott’s Giving Model Emphasizes Speed and Flexibility
Scott’s philanthropic approach is characterized by swift, sizable, and unrestricted grants, allowing recipient organizations to allocate funds to critical needs swiftly. In 2024, she formalized part of her strategy with an open-call process through Yield Giving while preserving the surprise element that has made her donations particularly impactful.
Extensive Track Record in Philanthropy
Over the past five years, Scott has donated more than $19 billion to thousands of organizations, with approximately $2 billion granted to nearly 200 organizations in 2024 alone. Her philanthropic portfolio covers economic security, housing, jobs, child development, postsecondary education, and health care, demonstrating her commitment to financial inclusion and equity-centered institutions.
| Area of Focus | Examples of Support |
|---|---|
| Education | HBCUs, 10,000 Degrees, Native Forward |
| Economic Security | Equity-centered institutions |
| Health | Health equity initiatives |
No-Strings-Attached Philanthropy
Scott’s funding approach is designed to empower organizations without imposing restrictions, allowing them to enhance capacity and accelerate institutional development. Her $19 billion commitment over five years reflects a strategic shift to “mission-aligned” investing that amplifies social impact, particularly in economic mobility and education.
Looking Ahead: Continued Focus on Equity and Inclusion
Scott is committed to expanding her philanthropy into mission-aligned investments, aiming to catalyze economic mobility and education while continuing to offer unrestricted grants to nonprofits. Her emphasis on trust-based funding is expected to persist, with repeat support for high-performing organizations and endowment-strengthening efforts that convert equity goals into sustainable assets, particularly within HBCUs and scholarship networks for underrepresented students.
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