MacKenzie Scott Delivers $42 Million to Elizabeth City State University in Second Historic Gift

MacKenzie Scott has delivered a transformative $42 million donation to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), nearly tripling her initial $15 million gift to the North Carolina institution in 2020 and marking one of the largest per-student investments in HBCU history.

The philanthropist and former spouse of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced the historic contribution during ECSU's Founders Day Convocation, where Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. celebrated the monumental gift that will impact the university's approximately 2,500 students.

"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."
— Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr.

Founded in 1891 to provide training for aspiring Black teachers in North Carolina, ECSU was established as Elizabeth City State Teachers College in 1937 before adopting its current name in 1969 following the introduction of graduate programs. Today, the university serves students across multiple disciplines including education, business, sciences, and the humanities.

Strategic Investment in ECSU's Future

The substantial gift will directly accelerate ASCEND 2030, the university's strategic plan designed to expand resources and opportunities for students.

• Endowed scholarships for current and future students
• Comprehensive facility renovations and upgrades
• Expanded academic programs and student resources
• Long-term institutional sustainability initiatives

Chancellor Hargrove emphasized the transformative nature of Scott's investment, noting its impact beyond immediate financial support. "Gifts like this do more than provide resources; they accelerate momentum," he stated. "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."

Leading Philanthropic Movement for HBCUs

Scott's commitment to ECSU is part of her broader investment in historically Black colleges and universities. The philanthropist has emerged as a transformative force in HBCU funding, having given over $7 billion in 2025 alone, with more than $1 billion directed specifically to HBCUs. Her sustained support has catalyzed a movement among other philanthropists to increase their investments in these historically underrepresented institutions.

As an Amazon stakeholder with vast resources at her disposal, Scott has pledged to direct her wealth toward underrepresented schools, championing new eras of academic achievement and institutional strength across the HBCU landscape. Her support of Elizabeth City State University exemplifies this commitment, providing the institution with resources to enhance educational opportunities for generations of scholars to come.

Originally reported by Black Enterprise.