Mackenzie Scott gives $50M to Native Forward for scholarships and endowment

Native Forward Scholars Fund has revealed how it will use the entire $50 million unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The organisation will spend $10 million over the next five years to expand scholarships for Native students, while placing the remaining $40 million into a permanent endowment to provide long-term support. The gift, the largest in the organisation’s 57-year history, comes as demand for financial aid continues to rise, with scholars facing an average unmet need of $26,000. Native Forward says the funding will help both current students and future generations pursue higher education.