The unrestricted donation, announced Thursday, brings Scott's total giving to Lincoln to $45 million, following a $20 million gift in 2020. The two contributions represent the largest single gifts in the 171-year-old institution's history.
"This investment honors that legacy and propels us forward, enabling us to build on 171 years of excellence and innovation," said Lincoln President Dr. Brenda A. Allen. "It is a powerful affirmation of the enduring value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities."
Scott's latest contribution to Lincoln is part of her broader philanthropic strategy of providing substantial, unrestricted gifts to minority-serving institutions. Since 2020, she has distributed billions of dollars to colleges and universities, with HBCUs receiving significant portions of her giving. Her approach of offering unrestricted funds allows institutions maximum flexibility in addressing their most pressing needs.
Lincoln plans to use the $25 million as an anchor for a comprehensive campaign focused on student success. The funds will support scholarships, curricular and co-curricular experiences, and initiatives benefiting students, faculty and staff at the Pennsylvania institution, which enrolls approximately 1,650 students in more than 34 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Founded in 1854 as the nation's first degree-granting HBCU, Lincoln has educated generations of African American leaders. The institution was established specifically to break barriers and create educational pathways for Black Americans at a time when such opportunities were severely limited.
The gift comes as HBCUs nationwide continue to advocate for increased funding and resources while facing challenges including enrollment pressures and facility maintenance needs. Unrestricted gifts like Scott's provide crucial flexibility for institutions to address both immediate priorities and long-term strategic goals.
