MacKenzie Scott Donates $42 Million to Elizabeth City State University, Boosting HBCU’s Future
Historic gift nearly triples billionaire philanthropist’s previous donation to the North Carolina university
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — MacKenzie Scott has made a second historic donation to Elizabeth City State University, giving the North Carolina HBCU $42 million to support student success, campus improvements, and long-term institutional growth.
The latest contribution nearly triples Scott’s initial $15 million gift to ECSU in 2020, bringing her total philanthropic support for the university to $57 million.
University leaders say the transformational donation represents one of the largest gifts in the institution’s history and one of the largest per-student donations ever made to an HBCU.
ECSU Chancellor Calls Gift “Transformational”
ECSU Chancellor Dr. S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced the gift during the university’s Founders Day Convocation, praising Scott for her continued investment in historically Black colleges and universities.
“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,” Hargrove said.
He added that the gift will help the university move forward with confidence while continuing to serve future generations of students.
“Gifts like this do more than provide resources; they accelerate momentum,” Hargrove said. “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.”
Funding Will Support Scholarships and Campus Improvements
University officials say the $42 million donation will strengthen ECSU’s long-term strategic vision through ASCEND 2030, the institution’s comprehensive growth initiative.
Funding from Scott’s gift will help support:
- Endowed student scholarships
- Facility renovations and campus improvements
- Expanded academic opportunities
- Resources that strengthen student success
ECSU currently enrolls about 2,500 students, offering programs in fields such as education, business, science, and the humanities.
Founded in 1891, the university began as a training school for Black teachers and later became Elizabeth City State Teachers College in 1937 before adopting its current name in 1969.
Philanthropy Continues to Transform HBCUs
Scott has become one of the most influential philanthropists supporting historically Black colleges and universities.
Her donations have provided billions of dollars in funding to HBCUs and other nonprofit organizations, helping expand scholarships, infrastructure, and academic programs at institutions that have long faced funding disparities.
In 2025 alone, Scott reportedly donated more than $7 billion to charitable organizations, including over $1 billion directed to HBCUs.
Education leaders say gifts like these can significantly accelerate growth at institutions that play a vital role in educating generations of Black professionals and community leaders.
Strengthening Opportunity for Future Scholars
For Elizabeth City State University, Scott’s latest gift represents more than a financial investment — it signals continued national recognition of the institution’s impact.
University leaders say the funding will help position ECSU to expand opportunities for students, strengthen academic programs, and ensure the university’s continued legacy as a leading HBCU in North Carolina.