Melinda French Gates, the American philanthropist and former spouse of tech tycoon Bill Gates, has announced a bold commitment of $1 billion through 2026 to empower women globally through her Pivotal Ventures Foundation. In a revealing announcement made on the Pivotal Ventures website on May 28, French Gates detailed how this staggering sum will be allocated.
A significant chunk of $200 million is destined for organizations in the United States that are at the forefront of the fight to "advance women's power and safeguard their rights, encompassing reproductive freedom." Additionally, a generous $240 million will be dispersed among twelve global leaders, each receiving $20 million to dispense to the charitable organizations of their choice. The remaining $250 million will be awarded this autumn through Lever of Change to organizations committed to enhancing the mental and physical well-being of women worldwide.
"For too long, organizations advocating for women's rights have been forced into a defensive posture due to financial constraints, while those opposed to progress have taken the offensive," French Gates lamented. "I want to help balance the scales."
French Gates established Pivotal Ventures in 2015 with a vision to promote equality and opportunity through impactful donations, partnerships, advocacy, and philanthropy. Since its inception, Pivotal has forged partnerships with organizations like the Center for Inclusive Computing, Paid Leave for All, and the Center for American Women and Politics. French Gates and her team have also been instrumental in driving improvements in caregiving, education, and mental health.
For over two decades, French Gates co-chaired and served as a trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the health of children globally. Recently, the Associated Press reported that French Gates is set to depart from the Gates Foundation and will receive $12.5 million as per the terms of her divorce agreement with Gates.
