HBCU Huston-Tillotson University nets record-breaking $150 million donation, institution claims
In a groundbreaking move, The Moody Foundation has pledged a staggering $150 million donation over the next decade to Huston-Tillotson University, marking the single-largest gift ever given to a historically Black college or university (HBCU).
This generous donation surpasses the $100 million gift made by the Moody Foundation to Spelman College in 2024, previously holding the title for the largest-single donation to an HBCU.
The Moody Foundation's latest gift to Huston-Tillotson University, spanning over five decades, totals over $1.3 million. Remarkably, this is the largest gift the Texas-based foundation has donated in its 83-year history.
Founded in 1875 by George J. Tillotson, the institution was initially established with a goal of providing teacher training and quality education for African Americans. Over the years, it has evolved, with Tillotson College officially recognized as a four-year institution in 1931 and the school being renamed Tillotson College in 1909. The university merged with Samuel Huston College to establish Huston-Tillotson College in 1952, and was later renamed Huston-Tillotson University in 2005.
Today, the university, located in Austin, Texas, boasts a student body of 1,059 students. The donation, announced during the university's opening convocation by Ross Moody, trustee and vice president of The Moody Foundation, will support students through scholarships and expand university housing and campus buildings.
Melva K. Wallace, the university's president and CEO, hailed the donation as "transformational" for the university. She encourages other philanthropists to follow the Moody family's example and donate to HBCUs.
The Moody Foundation, originally created by W.L. Moody Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942, has a long-standing commitment to making a difference in the lives of Texans. In 2023, the foundation pledged to donate $1 billion by 2035 towards education in Texas.
The large donation comes amidst the Trump administration's crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities. This significant contribution serves as a testament to the Moody Foundation's unwavering support for education, particularly for historically underrepresented communities.
In addition to Huston-Tillotson University, The Moody Foundation has donated to several universities in Texas, including Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of North Texas. The foundation's ongoing commitment to education and its belief in the university's vision and future led to the increase in the initial donation from $130 million to $150 million.
As Huston-Tillotson University prepares to embark on this new chapter, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to its mission: to provide quality education and opportunities for its students, now and in the future.
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