Melinda Gates shares reasons behind her departure from the Gates Foundation and future plans.
"After prioritizing contraceptive access overseas, French Gates now feels the need to support reproductive rights at home as the post-Roe v. Wade era approaches," she wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times on June 7th. "For years, insufficient funds have pushed women's rights advocates into a defensive stance while their opponents advance, and she aims to even the playing field."
French Gates stepped down from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation earlier this month, with her last day scheduled for June 7th. After finalizing her divorce, she was granted $12.5 billion from the foundation to continue her work. Although she hinted that her future endeavors would involve women and girls, she didn't specify any details.
On Tuesday, she shared her intentions for the first time.
French Gates plans to contribute $1 billion to women's rights initiatives worldwide through Pivotal Ventures, her own foundation, by 2026. This will include $200 million in grants for organizations advocating for reproductive rights. Additionally, she will provide $250 million in awards to organizations trying to improve women's health.
Similar to MacKenzie Scott's approach, French Gates will award $240 million to 12 global leaders to distribute to their favored groups working in women's health. Scott has transformed the charitable landscape by quickly donating large sums of money to organizations without conditions or requirements.
"I'm also experimenting with non-traditional strategies to bring more perspectives into philanthropy," French Gates elaborated in her op-ed. "I'm excited to explore the philanthropic landscape from their viewpoints and witness the outcomes of their approaches."
The chosen leaders include former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Olympic medalist Allyson Felix, and Afghan education advocate Shabana Basij-Rasikh.
In her article, French Gates recalled being advised to set her own agenda before someone else does, prompting her decision to leave the Gates Foundation.
She expressed disappointment at those who question the merits of charitable efforts aimed at empowering women. French Gates deemed America's high maternal mortality rate as unacceptable and criticized its status as the only advanced economy without nationally-mandated paid leave.
Out of all the American donations, only 2% support organizations focused on women and girls. However, French Gates stressed that investing in women's health would lead to significant gains for the global economy.
"Because of this unique opportunity, I'm committed to utilizing it as much as possible, and to assisting other women and girls in creating their own agendas," she emphasized in her op-ed.
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French Gates plans to use her resources from the Gates Foundation to invest in various women's rights initiatives through her own foundation, Pivotal Ventures. This includes providing significant funding for organizations advocating for reproductive rights and improving women's health.
In her future business ventures, French Gates aims to bring more perspectives into philanthropy by collaborating with global leaders and organizations, experimenting with non-traditional strategies.
Source: edition.cnn.com
