MacKenzie Scott is back at it again!

The wealthy philanthropist has donated $25 million to Lincoln University of Pennsylvania — her second largest gift to the school — bringing her total financial support of Lincoln to $45 million and giving the nation’s oldest HBCU a major, unrestricted cash infusion to fuel scholarships and student programs.

Lincoln labeled the gift “unrestricted,” meaning leaders can deploy the money where it’s needed most (from scholarships to curricular and co-curricular initiatives) and plan it as an anchor for a larger student-success campaign. The university said Scott’s renewed commitment shows confidence in Lincoln’s leadership and long-term vision.

“Lincoln University was founded to break barriers and create pathways for African Americans to thrive,” Lincoln President Brenda A. Allen said in a statement. “This investment honors that legacy and propels us forward, enabling us to build on 171 years of excellence and innovation.” 

Lincoln’s second gift arrived amid one of the biggest single-year philanthropic waves to Black colleges. In 2025 alone, Scott has directed hundreds of millions to HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, including headline-making gifts to Howard, Morgan State, Prairie View A&M and others, using the same no-strings approach that university leaders say helps stabilize operations and expand access. 

Scott, who has publicly pledged to give away most of her wealth, has repeatedly favored unrestricted grants that let schools set priorities. Leaders said this strategy can be transformational for institutions that often operate with limited endowments. Lincoln officials said this latest gift will be pivotal to recruiting and supporting the next generation of leaders.