Who is MacKenzie Scott?

MacKenzie Scott is the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. She has emerged as a major philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in recent months.

How much has MacKenzie Scott donated to HBCUs?

Since late September 2025, MacKenzie Scott has donated a total of $700 million to at least 15 different HBCUs across the United States.

What is the largest donation MacKenzie Scott has made to an HBCU?

The single largest donation MacKenzie Scott is known to have made was $80 million to Howard University at the beginning of November 2025.

Home / Education / Billionaire Ex-Wife Donates $700M to Historically Black Colleges

Billionaire Ex-Wife Donates $700M to Historically Black Colleges

17 Nov

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Summary

MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, donated $700M to HBCUs since late September
Earned nickname 'Saint MacKenzie Scott' for transformational gifts
Largest single donation was $80M to Howard University

Billionaire Ex-Wife Donates $700M to Historically Black Colleges

In the past two months, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has continued her unprecedented donation blitz, gifting a staggering $700 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States.

Scott, who was previously married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has emerged as a major force in higher education philanthropy. Her contributions have earned her the moniker "Saint MacKenzie Scott" from United Negro College Fund President and CEO Michael Lomax, who praised her "transformational" $70 million donation to his organization.

Scott's recent donations include a $63 million gift to Prairie View A&M University in Texas, $50 million to Bowie State University in Maryland, and $19 million to Philander Smith University in Arkansas. The single largest donation she is known to have made was $80 million to Howard University at the beginning of November.