Robeson Community College officials announced a $24 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, one of the largest gifts ever received by a North Carolina community college. Nearby, Bladen Community College received $12 million, according to President Amanda Lee.
The Robeson school in Lumberton enrolls nearly 9,600 students, many of whom are the first in their generation to attend college, along with many adult and military-affiliated students. About 27% of the county’s population has income deemed to be at or below the poverty level, compared with 13% in North Carolina overall, according to the N.C. Budget & Tax Center.
As for Bladen County, the community college in Dublin enrolls about 3,500 students, Lee said. The county has a poverty rate of 24%, including 41% of children.
The donations continue a series of gifts from Scott, who co-founded Amazon with her former husband, Jeff Bezos. Her foundation has provided $108 million to N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro, including a $63 million grant last month and $80 million to Winston-Salem State University, including a $50 million grant last month. Dozens of other nonprofits in North Carolina have received support from Scott.
Since 2019, she has donated $26 billion to nonprofits, never seeking applications or progress reports, the Associated Press reports. Much of the giving has centered on colleges with histories of serving Black and other minorities. N.C. A&T and Winston-Salem State are HBCUs. Robeson County is the home to the nation’s largest Lumbee Indian populations.
“This generous gift is far more than a financial contribution; it is a profound affirmation of our students, our faculty and staff, and the limitless potential of Robeson County,” RCC President Melissa Singler said in a statement. “I am beyond grateful to MacKenzie Scott and want to make sure she understands that this investment in Robeson Community College will yield an incredible return.”
RCC hosted a celebration of the donation today that attracted many community leaders.
Singler says the gift gives “our team the time, space and freedom to think, dream and plan boldly.” She adds that “We are committed to being fierce and steadfast stewards of these resources. Our entire team is dedicated to ensuring that this gift is in service to the people of Robeson County and Robeson Community College. Period.”
Lee said the gift has a potential to transform Bladen County, which has a population of about 30,000. While there are no strings attached to the grant, she says the college is determined to use the money to benefit students and the community. “We are humbled by this generosity.”
North Carolina’s community college system is made up of 58 campuses. Robeson had a total budget of $40.6 million in 2023-24, while Bladen’s was about $17 million, according to the system.
David Mildenberg is editor of Business North Carolina. Reach him at dmildenberg@businessnc.com.