Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife recently donated a lump sum amount $42 million to Elizabeth City State University, marking one of the record-setting donations of the time. The donation comes at a great time as well, since the University has set a five-year strategic plan that requires a good amount of financial assistance.
The donation was made to a public Historically Black College (HBCU) in North Carolina, marking the first time the institution has received a gift as large as $42 million. It was a record setting gift and one of the most strategic investments in HBCUs to date.
At the anniversary celebration of the University Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove, Sr. framed the moment as both historic and forward-looking. He said, “I want to express our deepest gratitude to MacKenzie Scott for this remarkable act of generosity and for her recognition of the critical role that HBCUs play in expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. Her investment affirms what we already know: that institutions like ECSU are powerful catalysts for change.”
Expressing how this investment is a true gift for the future of the University, Keith added, “Gifts like this do more than provide resources; they accelerate momentum. This gift allows institutions like Elizabeth City State University to move boldly toward the future while remaining grounded in the mission that has guided us for 135 years.”
Appreciating the timing of the donation, the University added in a statement, “More importantly, it comes at a pivotal time at the university, as ECSU just launched its five-year strategic plan—ASCEND 2030”.
Notably this donation is triple the amount Mackenzie paid back in 2020 to the University. It is even more special because the gift represents the largest dollar-per-student donation among recent HBCU contributions from the philanthropist.
Not only in this, but calculating her year round donations she has become one of the fastest large-scale donors in recent years. And in 2025 alone, her donations reached $7.2 billion which surpasses a lifetime donation of many top individuals like Elon Musk, Larry Page, Larry Ellison, and even Jeff Bezos.
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