Melinda French Gates announced Tuesday her plan 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, according to French Gates.
In an op-ed in The New York Times, French Gates shared her spending mission as she begins her work apart from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She will be leaving the foundation next week, which she co-founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates almost 25 years ago.
Earlier in May, it was reported that as part of her divorce agreement with Gates, French Gates would receive $12.5 billion and pledged to allocate that money towards women and families, as per The Associated Press.
In her op-ed, French Gates highlighted the challenges women and girls face in the global agenda, expressing her frustration with the lack of progress. She emphasized the importance of investing in women and girls, as research has shown the benefits for everyone.
She pointed out various issues worldwide, including the impact of the Taliban takeover on women’s progress and high maternal mortality rates in the U.S., particularly among Black and Native American mothers.
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French Gates noted the low percentage of charitable giving directed towards women and girls in the U.S., and emphasized the need for a shift in these numbers. With her second billion-dollar commitment to women since 2019, she aims to make an impact.
She mentioned that the $1 billion funding will be distributed through her organization Pivotal Ventures to organizations like the National Women’s Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Additionally, she has provided grants to 12 individuals to support their own philanthropic endeavors.
French Gates also announced a $250 million initiative to improve women and girls’ physical and mental health globally, with an open call for grassroots organizations to request funding. She expressed her determination to make a difference and empower other women and girls to pursue their own agendas.
