Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced a transformative $42 million donation to Elizabeth City State University, a historically Black college and university in northeastern North Carolina, marking one of the largest gifts in the institution's 135-year history.

At a naturalization ceremony on June 14, 2016
At a naturalization ceremony on June 14, 2016 (center in the back)

Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. revealed the gift during the university's Founders Day Convocation on Friday, March 13, 2026, eliciting cheers from attendees celebrating the school's legacy. The unrestricted contribution ranks as the largest dollar-per-student gift among Scott's recent donations to HBCUs and nearly triples the $15 million she gave ECSU in 2020.

"This gift allows institutions like Elizabeth City State University to move boldly toward the future while remaining grounded in the mission to educate, empower, and elevate students," Hargrove said in the university's official announcement. "Her investment affirms what we already know: that institutions like ECSU are powerful catalysts for change."

Elizabeth City State University, founded in 1891 as a teacher-training school for Black students, enrolls around 2,000 undergraduates, primarily from North Carolina and surrounding areas. The school offers programs in aviation — the only four-year aviation degree at an HBCU in the state — alongside strong offerings in business, arts, STEM, and education. The donation arrives as ECSU advances its five-year strategic plan, ASCEND 2030, focused on student success, academic innovation, and infrastructure improvements.

Scott's gift will fund endowed scholarship programs to support student learning and retention, establish resources for innovative academic initiatives, enhance athletic programs, and address critical campus infrastructure needs. University officials emphasized the funds' flexibility, allowing ECSU to prioritize areas of greatest impact without donor restrictions — a hallmark of Scott's philanthropy.

The contribution underscores Scott's ongoing commitment to HBCUs. Since 2020, she has directed hundreds of millions to these institutions, with 2025 seeing over $1.1 billion in gifts to HBCUs, tribal colleges, community colleges, and organizations promoting college access for underserved students. Her total lifetime giving exceeds $26 billion, with $7.2 billion donated in 2025 alone — the highest annual total since she began publicizing her philanthropy.

Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has adopted a low-profile, high-impact approach. She identifies recipients through research and recommendations, often making large, unrestricted grants to organizations she believes can drive systemic change. Her focus includes equity, education, economic mobility, and community strength — priorities that align closely with HBCUs' missions.

For ECSU, the timing proves pivotal. The university navigates challenges common to many small public institutions, including enrollment pressures and funding constraints. Hargrove highlighted the gift's role in accelerating progress toward strategic goals, from expanding scholarships to modernizing facilities.

Community and state leaders praised the announcement. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper shared congratulations on social media, noting the donation's significance for ECSU and HBCUs statewide. Local media and HBCU advocacy outlets described it as a "blockbuster" boost for the Viking Nation.

Scott's pattern of repeat giving — this marks her second major gift to ECSU — reflects confidence in the university's stewardship. In 2020, her $15 million contribution supported similar priorities during the pandemic recovery.

The donation drew widespread coverage from outlets including Forbes, HBCU GameDay, The Daily Advance, and university-affiliated channels. Social media buzz highlighted Scott's reputation as a leading force in philanthropy, with some calling her the "greatest billionaire of all time" for her giving scale.

As Scott continues her quiet but prolific campaign, this gift reinforces her belief in the power of targeted investments in higher education. For Elizabeth City State University, the $42 million infusion promises lasting impact, enabling expanded opportunities for generations of students.

The university plans to provide further details on allocation as implementation begins. In the meantime, ECSU celebrates a milestone that strengthens its role as a beacon of opportunity in northeastern North Carolina.