Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Gives $40 Million Gift to Cal State Fullerton
Donation Recognizes University’s Leading Role in Student Success, Research, and Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
An unrestricted gift of $40 million dollars to California State University, Fullerton was announced June 15. This funding from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is the largest gift in the university’s history.
“While we are still in the very early stages of allocating this gift, all decisions will be driven by our strategic plan and core mission of student success; diversity, equity and inclusion; and faculty research, support and retention,” said CSUF President Fram Virjee in a letter that was distributed across campus. “We will also be looking at possible infrastructure improvements, matching fund projects with our eight colleges and enhancing community partnerships. Of course, to ensure the enduring power of this gift, a large portion of it will be placed in our endowment where it will continue to generate funds to benefit future Titans and have transformative effects around the world for generations to come.
“As we celebrate this investment and begin the planning phase that will ensure its impact is eternal, please join me in expressing our profound gratitude to Ms. Scott – not just for the generosity of her gift, but also for her vision and diligence in seeking out and supporting our work and success.”
In an earlier statement, Scott explained that her life includes “two assets” that she can use to help others: the wealth delivered to her by an “imbalanced” social system and “a conviction that people who have experience with inequities are the ones best equipped to design solutions.”
As a result, Scott has focused many of her gifts on helping historically marginalized people by supporting groups that focus on racial, gender and social justice.