A sign is seen at one of the main entrances to Howard University in Washington, DC on August 28, 2024.

Howard University is the latest HBCU to receive another significant financial contribution from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The private, historically Black institution in Washington, DC, announced the unrestricted $80 million gift on Monday, Nov. 1. It's not the first time Scott has donated to the school.

"When combined with gifts of $40 million and $12 million to Howard in 2020 and 2023, respectively, this gift brings Scott’s recent contributions to Howard to $132 million," according to The Dig, the university's news blog.

Howard plans to use the funds "to accelerate Howard’s momentum and impact at the forefront of higher education research and student development," the school said in a statement.

Howard plans to invest Scott's gift in the student body, other projects

Howard said that it will invest $17 million in the College of Medicine, which will be partly utilized for a new academic medical center. The donation will also support students in financial need.

"Recent changes to federal funding for college students, including eligibility and lowered caps on funding amounts, make it even more important for the university and its donors to provide financial assistance to the talented students who will follow in the footsteps of other Bison in world-changing leadership, regardless of their economic background," the school noted in its blog post.

The gift will also aid renovation projects and a reserve fund to address potential roadblocks such as a government shutdown.

Scott has donated to other HBCUs in recent months

According to Howard's blog, Scott has ties to a famed novelist and educator, Toni Morrison, one of the university's notable alumni.

Morrison "was Scott’s thesis adviser and close friend," the post said, adding, "part of Scott's 2020 gift was used to establish the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities." That's a coveted faculty position the school announced in 2022.

Scott's donation to Howard is among a string of philanthropic efforts to Black institutions and programs. On Monday, Nov. 3, Spelman College, an all-women's HBCU based in Atlanta, announced a $38 million gift from Scott that will help "the student experience, modernizing technology, and expanding financial opportunity."

Additionally, last month, she donated $38 million to Alabama State University, $63 million to Morgan State University in Baltimore, and $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne.

Scott, considered one of the wealthiest people in the country, is the former wife of billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos. After their divorce, she pledged to give the majority of her wealth to charity.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MacKenzie Scott gifts Howard University $80 million amid donation wave

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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