Alabama State University (ASU) has received the largest single donation in its 158-year history: a $38 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. announced the news on social media Monday, sharing a letter to the university community that called it “a defining moment in the history of Alabama State University.”
“Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated an extraordinary $38 million gift to our great University,” Ross wrote. “Ms. Scott’s generosity affirms Alabama State University’s reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education. This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU’s history.”
Founded in 1867, Alabama State University is a prominent HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Montgomery. University officials say this donation will help strengthen the school’s academic mission and expand its capacity to serve students.
MacKenzie Scott is a novelist, billionaire, and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists. She helped found Amazon.com alongside her former husband, Jeff Bezos, in 1994. After their 2019 divorce, she received a 4% stake in the company, which became a major source of her philanthropic giving.
Britannica states that since 2019, Scott has donated more than $16 billion to roughly 2,000 organizations, with a strong emphasis on racial equity, childhood development, and higher education. Many of her previous gifts have gone to HBCUs, tribal colleges, and Hispanic-serving institutions as part of her broader commitment to supporting organizations that advance equity and opportunity. She is known for giving unrestricted donations, allowing recipients to use the funds where they are needed most.
Scott signed The Giving Pledge in 2019, committing to give away the majority of her wealth. In 2024, Forbes estimated her net worth at $37 billion.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
