"This gift is an act of incredible generosity and due to its unrestricted nature, a demonstration of tremendous trust in our community's college,"
"It reinforces the importance of providing quality higher education that is accessible to everyone."
"The Board of Trustees has initiated its own investigation into what occurred, consistent with its commitment to sound governance and public trust,"
"The use of the MacKenzie Scott gift will be on the February 19, 2026, Board of Trustees agenda for an initial discussion and to hear public comment."
MacKenzie Scott donated $20 million to Santa Barbara City College in 2021, the largest gift in the school's 112-year history. The unrestricted gift arrived amid a serious community college enrollment decline during the pandemic and followed Scott's broader pattern of more than $26 billion in donations guided by trust-based philanthropy. About $10.5 million of the $20 million was later disclosed as spent without explicit authorization from the foundation's board, college officials, or the trustees. The SBCC Board of Trustees initiated an investigation and scheduled an initial discussion and public comment for February 19, 2026. The gift has raised concerns about governance and transparency.
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