MacKenzie Scott’s $76 Million Gift Strengthens Atlanta’s Legacy as the Capital of Black Higher Education

ATLANTA — In a powerful testament to Atlanta’s enduring role as the epicenter of Black higher education, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated a combined $76 million to two of the city’s premier historically Black colleges — Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College.

The twin gifts — $38 million to each institution — mark another milestone in Scott’s sweeping commitment to advancing racial equity and educational access across the country. Her latest contributions solidify her place among the most transformative donors in the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Fueling Growth at Clark Atlanta University
At Clark Atlanta University (CAU), the $38 million donation stands as the largest private gift in the school’s history, following Scott’s $15 million contribution in 2020. The unrestricted funds will be used to bolster student success initiatives, expand academic programs, and strengthen financial support for students.

“The magnitude of Ms. Scott’s generosity significantly enhances our capacity to expand the student success initiatives and support infrastructure already underway,” said Dr. George T. French Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University. “Her continued support underscores her commitment to HBCUs and her trust in our mission to foster academic excellence and innovation.”

Formed through the historic 1988 merger of Atlanta University (founded in 1865) and Clark College (founded in 1869), CAU continues to stand as a beacon of leadership, social justice, and intellectual advancement for the Black community.

Empowering the Next Generation at Spelman College
Spelman College, one of the nation’s top-ranked liberal arts colleges for women, also received a $38 million unrestricted gift from Scott — her second in five years. Combined with her 2020 donation of $20 million, her total support for Spelman now reaches $58 million. Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, C’84, called the gift “transformative.”

“The flexibility of this gift allows us to move more swiftly to strengthen the student experience, modernize our technology infrastructure, and expand financial opportunity for scholars who call Spelman home,” Brewer said. The funds will directly support two key priorities — expanding scholarships and upgrading campus technology — ensuring Spelman women remain at the forefront of innovation and leadership in an increasingly digital world.

Continuing a Legacy of Philanthropic Impact
Scott’s gifts are part of a broader movement to channel private wealth toward racial equity and educational access. Her ongoing support has reached HBCUs nationwide, including Morgan State, Howard, Virginia State, and Alcorn State Universities.

For Atlanta — home to a cluster of world-renowned HBCUs known collectively as the Atlanta University Center — Scott’s latest contributions reaffirm the city’s title as the “Capital of Black Higher Education.”

“Atlanta has always been a city where education and social progress intersect,” said one CAU alum. “MacKenzie Scott’s generosity ensures that legacy continues for generations to come.”

With a combined $76 million investment in Clark Atlanta and Spelman, Scott isn’t just funding institutions — she’s fortifying the very foundation of Black excellence that has shaped Atlanta’s identity for more than a century.