What is the Pivotal initiative?

Pivotal is the organization founded by Melinda French Gates that awarded $250 million in grants to over 80 women's health groups worldwide.

How much funding did the Likhaan Center for Women's Health in the Philippines receive?

The Likhaan Center for Women's Health in the Philippines received a $5 million grant, which represents 10 years of funding at their current annual budget.

What is the goal of Melinda French Gates' $1 billion commitment to support women's rights?

Melinda French Gates' $1 billion commitment over two years includes $250 million in grants to women's health organizations, $20 million each to 12 individuals to distribute to nonprofits, and $150 million to boost gender equity in workplaces.

Home / Health / Melinda French Gates Grants $250M to Empower Global Women's Health

Melinda French Gates Grants $250M to Empower Global Women's Health

12 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Over 80 women's health organizations worldwide receive $250M in grants
Majority of recipients have not previously received funding from Pivotal or Gates Foundation
Grants range from $1M to $5M, aim to support community-based models

Melinda French Gates Grants $250M to Empower Global Women's Health

In November 2025, Melinda French Gates announced a major investment in global women's health organizations. Through a year-long application process, over 80 groups providing healthcare for women worldwide received a total of $250 million in grants from French Gates' Pivotal initiative.

The majority of the grant recipients had not previously received funding from Pivotal or the Gates Foundation, which French Gates co-founded with her ex-husband Bill Gates. The grants, ranging from $1 million to $5 million, are intended to support the organizations' community-based models and elevate their profiles among other major funders.

Cecilia Conrad, CEO of the Chicago-based nonprofit Lever for Change which ran the application process, said the open call for proposals helped uncover organizations that are often overlooked by large donors. The funding comes at a critical time for some recipients, like the Mujeres Aliadas group in Mexico, which had expected grants that did not materialize due to foreign aid cuts.