Media Contact:
Tara G. Cunningham
Dillard University
tcunningham@dillard.edu
(504) 816-4024
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Dillard University has received a historic $19 million gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. The unrestricted donation constitutes the largest single contribution in the university’s history which dates back to 1869 making Dillard the oldest HBCU in the state of Louisiana. With this record gift, Dillard joins several HBCUs celebrating repeat donations from Scott, having received an initial gift of $5M in 2020.
The gift comes as part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation. In recent years, the MacKenzie Scott Foundation has invested in several HBCUs to support institutional sustainability, enhance student access, and expand academic and community-centered programming. Dillard University is honored to join the distinguished list of institutions impacted by this meaningful philanthropic effort.
“If anyone ever doubts the difference one person can make, look no further than MacKenzie Scott and how her generosity will resonate across generations,” says Dr. Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University. “This gift will strengthen the university at a moment when our mission has never been more urgent.”
The unrestricted gift will allow Dillard University to accelerate strategic priorities that enhance student success, increase scholarship access, and bolster institutional advancement.
Dillard Board Chair and proud alumnus Michael D. Jones added:
“This incredible gift will allow Dillard University to continue doing what we have done for more than 150 years—take students, many from Pell-eligible families, and provide them with the foundation and inspiration to become history makers.”
Jones highlighted one of Dillard’s most distinguished alumna, Dr. Ruth Simmons—the daughter of a sharecropper who rose to become the first African American president of an Ivy League institution.
“The MacKenzie Scott gift will help us continue producing leading thinkers and achievers, lifting students from Pell to prosperity. That is what we call the Dillard Difference,” Jones said.
Dillard University extends its deepest appreciation to the MacKenzie Scott Foundation for its generosity and for recognizing the vital role that HBCUs continue to play in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
