Historic Huston-Tillotson University Receives Record-Breaking $150 Million Donation, Announces School
The Moody Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic organisation based in Texas, has made a historic donation to Huston-Tillotson University, a historically Black college or university (HBCU) located in Austin. Over the next 10 years, the institution will receive a $150 million donation, marking the single-largest gift ever given to an HBCU.
Founded in 1942 by W.L. Moody Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody, the Moody Foundation has a long history of supporting education. In addition to Huston-Tillotson, the foundation has donated to several universities in Texas, including Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of North Texas.
The Moody Foundation's relationship with Huston-Tillotson dates back over five decades, with the foundation having donated over $1.3 million to the university. For their continued investment, the Moody family has been referred to as "angels of change" for their impact on education at Huston-Tillotson.
Ross Moody, trustee and vice president of The Moody Foundation, announced the donation during the university's opening convocation. The funds will go towards supporting students through scholarships and expanding university housing and campus buildings.
Huston-Tillotson University, which was founded in 1875 by George J. Tillotson as the Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute, has a rich history. In 1909, the institution was renamed Tillotson College, and it was officially recognized as a four-year institution in 1931. Tillotson College merged with Samuel Huston College to establish Huston-Tillotson College in 1952. The institution was renamed Huston-Tillotson University in 2005.
Currently, the university is home to 1,059 students. President of Huston-Tillotson University, Wallace, encourages other philanthropists to follow the Moodys and donate to HBCUs, stating that the donation sends a clear message of support and commitment to the university's future.
The donation comes at a time when the Trump administration is cracking down on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public universities. However, Linda Y. Jackson, vice president for institutional advancement at Huston-Tillotson University, remains optimistic, stating that the university has overcome every obstacle thrown its way over the last 150 years.
In 2023, The Moody Foundation pledged to donate $1 billion by 2035 towards education in Texas. This latest donation represents the largest gift the Texas-based Moody Foundation has donated in its 83-year history. The Moody Foundation hopes that their donation will inspire other philanthropists to invest in education and help support the next 150 years of Huston-Tillotson University.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump recently redirected nearly $500 million in federal funding to HBCUs after cutting grants for Hispanic-serving colleges. This shift in funding could have a significant impact on the future of HBCUs, and the Moody Foundation's donation is a testament to the importance of continued support for these institutions.
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