Cal State East Bay gets $50M from MacKenzie Scott

Eligible OUSD graduates can automatically enroll at Cal State East Bay

The Oakland Unified School District is working with Cal State East Bay to automatically enroll eligible high school graduates into the college.

HAYWARD, Calif. - California State University, East Bay was given a $50 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the university said in a statement Thursday. 

The gift marks the largest single donation in the school's history, according to a news release from the university.

$50 million donation

What we know:

"This gift is truly transformational," said university president Cathy Sandeen. It will help us grow, not just now, but into the future. I am tremendously grateful." 

RELATED: Hayward High seniors automatically accepted to Cal State East Bay through new program

The Hayward-based university did not specify any plans for the money but said it would "strengthen the university's endowment and long-term capacity." 

CSU East Bay Foundation Board President Evelyn Buchanan credited Sandeen's leadership for securing the donation. 

Scott, a billionaire investor and philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, makes donations through her organization Yield Giving. 

"Cal State East Bay -- and our hard-working students -- are finally getting the recognition and credit they deserve, and in such a big way," said Sandeen.