Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has gifted $36 million to two North Carolina community colleges.
Robeson Community College (RCC), located in Lumberton, announced on Dec. 11 it had received $24 million from Scott, the largest single gift in the college’s 60-year history.
In neighboring Bladen County, Bladen Community College (BCC) also received the largest gift in its history thanks to a $12 million gift from Scott, according to WECT.
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Dr. Amanda Lee, president of BCC, expressed her college’s gratitude for Scott’s support.
“We are overwhelmed by this remarkable support,” Lee told WECT. “This gift reflects a shared belief in the power of education to change lives and communities. It will allow us to reimagine what is possible and ensure that our mission thrives for decades.”
EdNC reported in November that BCC helped restore a century-old school to house Bladen Smart Start’s headquarters, spaces serving BCC’s culinary and agribusiness programs, and four classrooms set aside for meeting the community’s child care needs in the future.
RCC said the gift had the potential to accelerate growth and opportunity for the college’s rural community.
In 2025, Robeson County was ranked as the second most economically distressed county in the state, according to the North Carolina State Department of Commerce’s economic development tier designations. In 2026, the county is ranked at seventh most economically distressed, according to the latest department data. Both Bladen and Robeson counties are designated at Tier 1, which is the most economically distressed designation.
“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,” said RCC President Melissa Singler. “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. Never before have we been given a gift of this magnitude that affords our team the time, space and freedom to think, dream and plan boldly.”
Singler, who has served as president since 2019, also emphasized that both she and the college’s board of trustees see Scott’s gift as a serious responsibility and will ensure the gift serves RCC’s 9,587 students and Robeson County at large.
“This historic gift is a beacon of hope and a powerful testament to the value of our college and our community,” said Faline Dial, chair of RCC’s board of trustees. “The Board is dedicated to a thoughtful, transparent and strategic deployment of these resources. Our focus is on long-term sustainability, ensuring this investment builds lasting educational infrastructure that supports local economic development efforts and unlocks unprecedented opportunities for all of Robeson County.”
RCC said the gift will help the college expand its programs, such as the utility fundamentals program launched this year. The first of its kind in the state’s community college system, the program gives students a hands-on, intensive look at how utility teams function.
“This gift will undoubtedly allow the college to continue to expand upon successful programs such as this, while also cultivating innovation in other high-impact programs in response to the region’s economic development and educational needs,” RCC’s press release said.
Two colleges in Oklahoma and a tribal college in Minnesota also received gifts from Scott last week, according to Inside Higher Ed. The donations mark the latest unrestricted gifts from Scott to higher education institutions, many of which are rural or serve large populations of minority students.
Editor’s note: Melissa Singler serves on EdNC’s strategic council.
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