MacKenzie Scott has made a significant impact on higher education with a generous donation of $17 million to Northern Oklahoma College (NOC). This contribution marks the largest single donation in the college’s history, which has served students since 1901. The announcement was made through a recent post on the college’s Facebook page.
Scott, who gained most of her $38.9 billion fortune from her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019, has committed to giving away the majority of her wealth through her organization, Yield Giving. To date, she has donated over $19 billion to various organizations focusing on issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion, education, and disaster recovery.
NOC President Diana Morris expressed profound gratitude in the college’s announcement. “I cannot possibly adequately articulate my gratitude for Ms. Scott’s vote of confidence in the mission and activities of the college,” she stated, noting that the funds would be allocated in a way that best serves the institution’s needs.
The donation is particularly timely, as approximately 80% of NOC students currently receive financial aid or scholarships. This financial support is crucial, with 75% of these students graduating debt-free. Brad Purdy, Chair of the NOC Foundation Board of Trustees and a college alumnus, emphasized that while this donation is substantial, it does not diminish the need for ongoing fundraising efforts. He expressed hope that this announcement would inspire further contributions to the college’s annual Greater Gifts drive.
Scott’s Philanthropic Approach and Impact on Education
Scott is known for her large, unrestricted donations that allow organizations the flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed. Recently, she has focused her giving on higher education, providing over $740 million to more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Howard University and Morgan State University.
In addition to these efforts, Scott signed The Giving Pledge in 2019, a commitment initiated by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, encouraging the world’s wealthiest individuals to pledge at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropic causes during their lifetimes or in their wills.
Her contributions span a diverse range of causes, including an $84 million donation to the Girl Scouts, $20 million to Vermont’s Champlain Housing Trust, and $436 million to Habitat for Humanity. In 2020, she also provided $10 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
Support for Smaller Educational Institutions
The donation to Northern Oklahoma College continues Scott’s trend of supporting smaller educational institutions. Most recently, she donated $5 million to Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Nebraska, marking the largest gift in the college’s history. This institution was established by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska in 1996.
LPTC President Manoj Patil expressed gratitude for the transformative gift, stating, “This is a truly historic moment for Little Priest Tribal College.” The funds are earmarked for the development of a new 10-acre campus, which is expected to cost $60 million. The project is set to begin in mid-2026 and aims to enhance the college’s ability to serve its students and community.
As Scott continues her philanthropic journey, her contributions reflect a commitment to fostering educational opportunities for all, particularly at institutions that serve underrepresented populations.
