Melinda French Gates has announced her intention to donate $1 billion over the next two years as she embarks on a “new chapter” in her philanthropy. The funds will be directed towards women, families, and reproductive rights, as stated by French Gates.
In an op-ed published in The New York Times, French Gates revealed her spending mission as an initial step in her work beyond the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She is set to depart from the nonprofit next week, which she co-founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates nearly 25 years ago.
Earlier in May, it was reported that as part of a divorce settlement with Gates, French Gates would receive $12.5 billion and vowed to allocate that money to support women and families. She highlighted the disadvantaged position of women and girls in the global agenda, expressing frustration at the lack of prioritization for gender equality.
French Gates emphasized the importance of investing in women and girls, citing research that demonstrates the wide-ranging benefits of such investments. She mentioned various global issues affecting women, from political violence to maternal mortality rates, particularly among Black and Native American mothers in the U.S.
Despite the evident need for support, only a small fraction of charitable giving in the U.S. goes towards organizations focused on women and girls, especially those serving women of color. French Gates aims to address this disparity with her latest commitment of $1 billion, which will be channeled through Pivotal Ventures to organizations like the National Women’s Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
In addition, French Gates has allocated $20 million grant-making funds to 12 individuals, including prominent figures like Jacinda Ardern, Allyson Felix, and Shabana Basij-Rasikh. She also plans to launch a $250 million initiative in the fall to improve the physical and mental health of women and girls globally, inviting grassroots organizations to apply for funding.
Reflecting on her journey, French Gates expressed determination to make a meaningful impact with the resources at her disposal, aiming to empower other women and girls to pursue their own agendas.
