Major philanthropy continued to reshape campus priorities: MacKenzie Scott announced $42 million to 10,000 Degrees and equity‑focused organizations, while a $25 million naming gift catalyzed additional fundraising for the University of Illinois’ new Gies College building. Both gifts target access and capacity—scholarships, DEI, and expanded facilities for online learning and experiential programs. Scott’s unrestricted grants bolster scholarship pipelines and HBCU endowments, reinforcing donor trends that favor flexible capital for equity‑centred initiatives. At Illinois, Steven Wymer’s $25 million anchor gift unlocked over $50 million from 150 donors and expanded classroom, studio and online learning capacity as undergraduate demand surged. Universities are using large unrestricted gifts to accelerate strategic priorities, but boards must also plan for long‑term operating costs tied to new facilities and scholarship commitments.