Morgan State University just made history again. The Baltimore-based HBCU has received a monumental $63 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, marking the second time she’s invested in the institution in less than five years. The unrestricted gift brings her total contributions to $103 million, further cementing Morgan’s place among the nation’s leading public research universities and proving that its growth, vision, and impact are impossible to ignore.
Now the nation’s third-largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Morgan has become a powerhouse of academic innovation, research, and community impact. Over the past five years, the university has seen record-breaking enrollment, launched new degree and certificate programs, and created research centers tackling critical issues like urban health, climate change, artificial intelligence, and educational equity.
Unlike most major philanthropic donations, Scott’s gift comes without restrictions, giving Morgan full freedom to decide how to invest in its future. The funds will strengthen the university’s endowment, expand support for student success, and fuel initiatives that reinforce its role as a key anchor institution in Baltimore.
“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 President David K. Wilson. “To receive one historic gift from Ms. Scott was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about the confidence she and her team have in our institution’s stewardship, leadership, and trajectory. This is more than philanthropy—it’s a partnership in progress.”
Scott’s first $40 million gift to Morgan in 2020 was a game changer, creating the university’s first unrestricted endowment fund, “Leading the World.” That milestone sparked a new era of giving, including a $20 million donation from alumnus Calvin Tyler and his wife Tina, the largest ever made by an HBCU graduate. Those funds helped establish Morgan’s Center for Urban Health Equity, the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities, and endowed faculty positions in brain science, predictive analytics, and cybersecurity.
“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.
“Our thoughtful stewardship of her initial gift has strengthened Morgan’s capacity to grow our endowment and create meaningful opportunities for our students while strategically investing in the University’s future. This new transformative contribution—and her continued trust in Morgan—affirm that we are not only rising but leading, charting a bold path forward for our students and our institution.”
Morgan’s reputation for strong fiscal management has earned it top credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings (A+) and Moody’s (A1), signaling to major donors that the university’s financial foundation is as strong as its mission. That credibility continues to attract historic investments, like the recent $1.75 million planning grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to launch the nation’s first public, nonprofit M.D. medical school at an HBCU.
With this second major gift from Scott, Morgan is solidifying its position as a national model for growth, equity, and innovation.
“Morgan is on an extraordinary journey,” said President Wilson. “This investment will allow us to accelerate that momentum, breaking barriers, advancing equity, and fulfilling our vision to become one of the top public research universities in the country—without losing our soul.”
Cover photo: Morgan State Receives Another Groundbreaking $63 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott/Photo credit: Morgan State University