MacKenzie Scott is continuing her streak of headline-making philanthropy—this time with a $50 million contribution to Winston-Salem State University, marking the largest gift in the HBCU’s 133-year history.
According to a statement from the university, the donation also increases her total support for the school to $80 million, following a previous $30 million gift in 2020.
For WSSU, Scott’s continued generosity isn’t just symbolic. The school says her earlier contribution reshaped its long-term planning by strengthening its endowment, expanding scholarship potential, and providing the university with the flexibility to acquire property needed for future growth.
That real estate investment was considered critical for a campus that’s out of space, but seeing rising demand.
This new $50 million gift arrives without restrictions, giving the leadership room to determine how the funds will best support students. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown acknowledged the scale of the moment, saying in a statement that “this gift is truly life-changing for our students and our community.”
She added that Scott’s support “enables us to transform lives, not just today, but for generations.”
WSSU plans to fold the donation into a broader strategic blueprint currently being developed. That includes updating the campus master plan and outlining long-term goals tied to academic programs, facilities, and student services. The university’s board of trustees will work with the chancellor to determine how and when funds are used.
The legacy of Scott’s first gift is still unfolding. Because much of the money was invested in the endowment, it needed time to grow before generating usable scholarship dollars.
The school anticipates that the first scholarships associated with this investment will be awarded in 2026. Meanwhile, the real estate purchased with the initial contribution is being evaluated as part of the updated campus master plan.
WSSU emphasizes that while Scott’s donation is historic, immediate student expenses—like small account balances that prevent registration or graduation—still rely on separate gap funding. Those emergency dollars can be depleted quickly and require ongoing replenishment.
As North Carolina’s only Carnegie Opportunity College, a designation given to institutions that help students move up the socioeconomic ladder, WSSU says Scott’s newest investment will directly support its mission of access and upward mobility. University leaders anticipate sharing more details about how the funds will be allocated in the coming months.