Melinda French Gates Vows $1 Billion for Women and Families Worldwide

By Madz Dizon

May 28 2024, 21:13 PM EDT

Melinda French Gates Vows $1 Billion for Women and Families Worldwide — US philanthropist Melinda French Gates arrives for the White House Correspondents Association gala at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2022. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Melinda French Gates has announced her commitment to donate $1 billion over the next two years to support individuals and organizations dedicated to the well-being of women and families worldwide which includes a focus on reproductive rights within the United States.

Melinda French Gates Prioritizes Women's Well-being

In a recent announcement, French Gates revealed her decision to resign from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She expressed her commitment to prioritize the well-being of women and families moving forward.

Upon her departure from the Gates Foundation, French Gates was granted a substantial sum of $12 billion by Bill Gates to support her future philanthropic endeavors.

According to AP, French Gates said over the last few weeks she's started directing what will total $200 million in new grants through her organization, Pivotal Ventures, to groups working in the US. to protect women's rights and advance their power and influence.

The funds granted are for general operating support, which means they are not allocated to specific initiatives.

The organizations include the National Women's Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, as well as the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Donations Aim to Boost Women in Tech, Media, Finance

French Gates' dedication will also focus on sectors such as technology, media, and finance, where women are noticeably lacking representation.

Through the implementation of mentorship programs, scholarships, and career development initiatives, the aim is to cultivate a pool of highly skilled women who can overcome the obstacles present in traditionally male-dominated industries, Forbes reported.

The funding from French Gates will be directed towards programs that aim to provide girls with equal opportunities for quality education, with a specific focus on STEM fields where there is a significant gender gap.

Supporting scholarships, mentorship, and training programs will play a crucial role in fostering the development of future female leaders and innovators.