MacKenzie Scott Donates $42 Million Gift to 10,000 Degrees to Advance Education and Career Opportunities for Students from Low-Income Backgrounds

The largest contribution to 10,000 Degrees in its 45-year history

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 10,000 Degrees, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing quality education and career opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds, announced that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has made a transformational $42 million gift that will go toward its mission to support students to, through and beyond college.

"We are deeply grateful for Ms. Scott's confidence and investment in our mission and proven college success model," said Kim Mazzuca, President and CEO of 10,000 Degrees. "This extraordinary gift is not only a bold affirmation of the power of education, but it is a vital investment in our communities at a time when it's needed most."

The new grant will allow 10,000 Degrees to address the growing educational opportunity gap in this country by serving more students from low-income backgrounds with college and financial aid advising, scholarships and mentorship support from recent college graduates to help them navigate the entire pathway to and through college. It will enable the organization to grow its proven model, test new ideas, grow other sources of capital and invest in long-term sustainability.

"Our mission has always been to ensure that every student, no matter their background, has a real chance to achieve their potential and to live a healthy, happy and prosperous life to positively impact their community and the world – but our students and families from low-income backgrounds don't," said Mazzuca. "Our students need a quality college education that leads them to viable career pathways and social mobility."

Kim Cook, CEO of the National College Attainment Network, a nonprofit membership and advocacy association supporting 10,000 Degrees, said, "This transformative gift recognizes and invests in those who support students to access the power of postsecondary education to create economic mobility. We look forward to the impact on students served by 10,000 Degrees and to the learnings and practices that will advance the field of college attainment."

"Ms. Scott's gift will have a profound and lasting impact – significantly increasing our support for our students from their first step toward college through graduation and into meaningful careers," said Guy Lampard, chair of the board of directors. "With this support, our students can build generational stability for themselves, their families and their communities, forever."

Since its founding in 1981, 10,000 Degrees has grown into the most effective and efficient college success organization in the nation, delivering scholarships plus holistic support to more than 16,000 students and alumni every year. By pairing scholarships with guidance to, through and beyond college, 10,000 Degrees' model has led to 80 percent of its four-year college students graduating – double the national average – as well as community college students transferring and graduating from four-year colleges at twice the national rate.

To learn more about 10,000 Degrees, please visit www.10000degrees.org . For media inquiries, contact Emiliano Garcia at [email protected]  

About 10,000 Degrees®
10,000 Degrees® is a nonprofit organization that creates more opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds to access quality college education and achieve career success. 10,000 Degrees has worked with more than 80,000 students and awarded more than $113 million in scholarships over the past 45 years, helping to break the cycle of generational poverty and create a positive ripple effect in the lives of students and their communities for generations to come. For more information about 10,000 Degrees, please visit www.10000degrees.org, or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Contact: Emiliano Garcia
Phone: (917) 446-7571
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE 10,000 Degrees