MacKenzie Scott donates $50 million to Native Forward Scholars Fund for student aid

The Native Forward Scholars Fund (NFSF) has detailed its plan to utilize the entirety of a $50 million unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The organization announced that the substantial gift will be directed towards supporting Native American students through scholarships and establishing long-term funding. The donation, the largest single gift in NFSF's 57-year history, will be divided. Approximately $10 million will be allocated over the next five years to expand scholarship offerings, adding about $2 million annually. The remaining $40 million will be invested in a permanent endowment, ensuring sustained support for students for generations to come.

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For Native students, the path to higher education has never been without barriers, and yet, generation after generation, they persist.

This significant contribution comes at a time when demand for higher education financial aid among Native students is rising. NFSF reports that its scholars face an average unmet financial need of $26,000, highlighting the increasing financial hurdles students encounter. The organization's decision to balance immediate needs with future security reflects a core value within Native communities, according to NFSF CEO Angelique Albert.

Scott, a novelist and philanthropist, is known for her large, unrestricted donations, which empower recipient organizations to allocate funds as they see fit. She maintains a low public profile, rarely commenting on her philanthropic activities. This $50 million gift marks her second major contribution to NFSF; she previously donated $20 million in 2020, which helped establish an endowment and launch new scholarship programs.

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This investment reflects a principle long understood in Native communities: that decisions made today must hold in mind those who are seven generations in the future.