Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced over $155 million in unrestricted gifts this week to public, access‑oriented colleges including California State University–East Bay, Lehman College and several community colleges. The donations—some of the largest single gifts in recipients’ histories—target institutions that enroll high shares of low‑income, first‑generation and minority students and come as federal support and DEI funding face cuts. University leaders said the gifts will shore up financial aid, workforce programs and student support services at campuses under budget pressure. Scott’s pattern of large, unrestricted grants continues to reshape resilience strategies for institutions serving underrepresented students.