MacKenzie Scott Donates Nearly $60 Million to Xavier and Dillard Universities, Continuing Major Support for Louisiana Nonprofits

Benjamin Bates Data News Weekly Contributor

Louisiana’s Philanthropic Landscape received a major boost this holiday season as Billionaire Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced nearly $60 million in new donations to two of New Orleans’ Historically Significant Institutions of Higher Education. The gifts, $38 million to Xavier University of Louisiana and $19 million to Dillard University, continue Scott’s sweeping commitment to supporting HBCUs and community-based organizations across the country.

The announcement comes just after the Thanksgiving and Bayou Classic Weekend, offering both campuses and the wider community another reason to celebrate. Xavier, the nation’s only Catholic HBCU, described the contribution as transformational, strengthening its ability to expand academic programs, increase scholarship support, and invest in long-term institutional growth. Dillard University echoed similar sentiments, noting that the unrestricted nature of Scott’s donation will accelerate its strategic initiatives, faculty development, and student success efforts.

These latest gifts push Scott’s total contributions to Louisiana organizations to nearly $240 million since 2020. Her donations in the state now span almost 50 institutions, including universities, nonprofits, social-service providers, arts organizations, and community-based groups working to address systemic inequities.

Scott’s approach to Philanthropy is notable for its speed, scale, and trust-based model. Unlike traditional grantmaking processes that often require lengthy proposals and reporting, Scott does not solicit applications. Instead, her Team Research Organizations privately and awards unrestricted funding directly, allowing recipients to determine the most effective ways to use the resources. This flexibility enables nonprofits and educational institutions to strengthen core operations, invest in expansion, build endowments, support emergency needs, or innovate without restrictive guidelines.

Local leaders say Scott’s donations continue to have a ripple effect across the region, especially during a time when many institutions face rising costs and increased demand for services. For Xavier and Dillard, two pillars of Black Higher Education and workforce leadership in the city, the impact will be both immediate and long-lasting.

As Louisiana reflects on a weekend rooted in tradition, gratitude, and community, Scott’s contributions stand out as a powerful reminder of how Strategic Philanthropy can reshape futures and expand opportunities across generations.