MacKenzie Scott Donates $7M to Red Lake Nation College

The gift is the largest in the 25-year history of the tribal college and will establish a permanent endowment.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:23pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of hardcover books with a tribal design, a mortar and pestle, and a small glass vial filled with an amber liquid, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to symbolize the academic mission, traditional knowledge, and growth potential of Red Lake Nation College.A symbolic still life representing the transformative potential of MacKenzie Scott's $7 million gift to Red Lake Nation College.Minneapolis Today

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $7 million to Red Lake Nation College in Minnesota, the largest gift in the 25-year history of the tribal college. Rather than spending the money immediately, the college's leadership has chosen to place the entire amount in a permanent endowment that could eventually grow into the billions to support future generations of students.

Why it matters

The donation arrives at a critical moment for the school, which relies heavily on private support and has seen Native American colleges and universities often be the 'last to get funded and first to get cut.' The endowment could provide long-term financial stability and growth for the college.

The details

Red Lake Nation College announced the gift on April 9, though officials said Scott's organization, Yield Giving, awarded the funding last year. The college's leadership chose to place the entire $7 million in an endowment that could continue to grow over time, shaped by Ojibwe teachings to think seven generations ahead. College officials estimate the endowment could eventually reach $225 million within 35 years if investment targets are met, and potentially grow into the billions over a longer timeline.

  • Red Lake Nation College received the $7 million donation from MacKenzie Scott in 2025.
  • The college announced the gift publicly on April 9, 2026.

The players

MacKenzie Scott

A philanthropist who has donated over $26 billion to organizations across the country since 2020, with a focus on underserved colleges and universities.

Red Lake Nation College

A tribal college in Minnesota that operates campuses in northern Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis, relying heavily on private support.

Yield Giving

The organization through which MacKenzie Scott made the $7 million donation to Red Lake Nation College.

Delwyn Holthusen Jr.

The board chair of Red Lake Nation College.

Sharon Norris

A board member of Red Lake Nation College.

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What they’re saying

“This permanent fund will be treated like a 401(k) fund for the college. Any future withdrawals would have to be repaid with interest so that the fund can continue to expand.”

— Delwyn Holthusen Jr., Board Chair, Red Lake Nation College

“Natives are usually the last to get funded and first to get cut.”

— Sharon Norris, Board Member, Red Lake Nation College

What’s next

Red Lake Nation College's board has approved strict rules limiting withdrawals from the endowment during the early years, and has hired Sovereign Investment Advisors to manage the $7 million fund.

The takeaway

This transformative gift from MacKenzie Scott will provide long-term financial stability and growth for Red Lake Nation College, a tribal college that has historically struggled to secure adequate funding. The endowment's potential to reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars could have a profound impact on the college's ability to support generations of Native American students.