Huston-Tillotson University Receives Single Largest Donation to an HBCU With $150 Million Gift, School Says

September 25, 2025

The Moody Foundation has announced a historic $150 million donation to Huston-Tillotson University, marking the largest single gift ever given to any Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The donation, revealed during the university's 150th anniversary celebration, will be distributed over ten years and primarily fund student scholarships and campus expansion. Huston-Tillotson's President Melva K.

Who is affected

Huston-Tillotson University's 1,059 current students
Future students who will benefit from expanded scholarships
The university's administration and faculty
The Austin, Texas HBCU community
The broader HBCU network and educational landscape
The Moody Foundation, which is making its largest donation in its 83-year history

What action is being taken

The Moody Foundation is donating $150 million to Huston-Tillotson University over the next ten years
The university is using the funds to support students through scholarships
The donation is being applied toward expanding university housing and campus buildings
The Moody Foundation is continuing its commitment to education in Texas as part of its pledge to donate $1 billion by 2035

Why it matters

This is the single largest gift ever given to any HBCU, surpassing the previous record of $100 million to Spelman College
The donation comes amid the Trump administration's crackdown on diversity programs at public universities and redirection of federal funding
It represents a significant investment in the future of the 150-year-old institution that has persevered through segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement
The gift serves as potential inspiration for other philanthropists to support HBCUs
It marks a major milestone in The Moody Foundation's 83-year history and its long-standing support of Huston-Tillotson, which dates back to 1968

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint