Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given Morgan State University an unrestricted $63 million gift—her second major donation to the institution in less than five years, the school announced.
The latest contribution brings her total giving to the university to $103 million, underscoring confidence in Morgan’s leadership and impact.
Unlike most major donations, Scott’s gifts come without restrictions, allowing Morgan State to direct the funds strategically. University officials say the money will strengthen the endowment, enhance student success programs and advance Morgan’s role as Baltimore’s anchor institution and a high-impact research university.
“MacKenzie Scott’s renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work we’ve done to drive transformation, not only within our campus but throughout the communities we serve,” said university president David K. Wilson. “To receive one historic gift was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about her confidence in our leadership and trajectory. This is more than philanthropy—it’s a partnership in progress.”
Scott’s first gift, a $40 million donation in 2020, remains the largest individual gift in Morgan’s history. That funding created the “Leading the World Endowment Fund,” the university’s first unrestricted endowment, and sparked additional philanthropy, including a record $20 million donation from alumnus Calvin Tyler and his wife Tina.
Proceeds from the initial gift helped establish the Center for Urban Health Equity, the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities, and endowed faculty chairs in brain science, cybersecurity engineering, and predictive analytics. The funds also bolstered interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Center for Religion and Cities.
“We are grateful for donors like MacKenzie Scott, whose groundbreaking vision through philanthropy has created sustained, generational impact at Morgan,” said Endia DeCordova, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the Morgan State University Foundation. “Her continued trust affirms that we are not only rising but leading, charting a bold path forward for our students and our institution.”
