Grants and Gifts

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education

Over the past week, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $38 million to Alabama State University, $42 million to Alcorn State University, and $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. These gifts mark the largest single donations ever received by each institution.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

“Dartmouth wasn’t made in my image, but it is possible to remake it to include my image. There has been a continual making and remaking of who Dartmouth is for and who belongs here,” said alumna and television mogul Shonda Rhimes, who has donated $15 million to construct the Shonda Rhimes Hall - the first Dartmouth building named for a woman or a Black alum.

Beginning in the upcoming spring 2026 semester, Clark Atlanta University, Morgan State University, Spelman College, Texas Southern University, and Xavier University of Louisiana will participate in a new program to improve sustainability practices on HBCU campuses and train the next generation of leaders in clean energy.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Scott's latest donation is her second major gift to Morgan State University, bringing her total investment in the HBCU to $103 million in just five years.

Over the next ten years, the new funding will provide gap scholarships to students at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College who are close to completing their degrees, but face financial challenges that could prevent them from finishing.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

“At Morgan, we are steadfast in our commitment to conducting research that not only advances science but also transforms communities,” said President David K. Wilson. “These new NSF investments in Morgan ingenuity, resourcefulness, and inventiveness underscore our ascendency as a leading urban research university — one that produces solutions to society’s greatest challenges while preparing the next generation of innovators.”

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund. The organization will leverage the gift to bolster the endowments at its 37 member institutions.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

“We hope this gift, focused on the students, can become a catalyst, a spark, the beginning of something transformative for students, this city, and the future of Huston-Tillotson,” said Ross Moody. “We believe in the vision of Huston-Tillotson and the extraordinary leadership of [President Melva Wallace] and the board.”

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Some $350 million in grant funding initially allocated for Minority-Serving Institutions – including Predominately Black Institutions – will be redirected to other programs “that do not include discriminatory racial and ethnic quotas,” according to the U.S. Department of Education. Notably, these cuts do not affect federal grant programs allocated for historically Black colleges and universities.

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

“With the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s support, we are charting a new course toward a public, nonprofit M.D. program that will train physicians where they are most needed, close gaps in care, and reflect the diversity of the populations served,” said Morgan State University President David Wilson.

Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Jackson State University, and South Carolina State University are set to receive new funding from the Atlanta Braves and Truist to support the HBCUs' baseball and softball teams.