Re “Melinda French Gates Is Ready to Take Sides” (July 28).
Melinda French Gates is setting her own agenda. And I, as a woman leading a community of women philanthropists, am deeply inspired and energized.
Since transitioning from the Gates Foundation, Melinda has publicly stepped into her own power in new ways, challenging the many false binaries in philanthropy. It feels more uncensored than ever before, and it gives me hope: if Melinda – one of the world’s biggest philanthropists – can refresh her own philanthropic giving and perspective, women philanthropists everywhere can do the same.
Melinda’s interview underscores the following five key lessons about the progress, persistence, and power of women in philanthropy:
- Influence matters – Melinda recognizes her significant influence in philanthropy. In this interview, she speaks more freely about her influence, but she also highlights the importance of others’ influence too – including from her youngest daughter.
- Lead with curiosity and humility – Philanthropists should not be expected to be experts in every field. When they allow community experts and those with lived experience guide their decisions about philanthropy, their impact is exponentially greater.
- Power is not uni-directional – By investing in removing obstacles for women to step into their power, Melinda has also embraced her own. This means choosing where and how to invest and not letting fear hinder progress. Her journey reminds us that removing barriers benefits everyone involved.
- Don’t be afraid to break binaries – Philanthropy can go beyond the false binary choices presented, and philanthropists do not have to be boxed in with rigid labels or feel they have to use only one approach.
- Women philanthropists are just getting started –Melinda shared, “It’s only been in the last decade that you’re seeing women really come into their own in philanthropy.” Women are reshaping philanthropy and tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time. Above all, they are stepping into their power and using it to shape the world in new ways.
Melinda’s vision puts women’s needs and lived experiences at the center.
She blends trust-based and data-driven philanthropy to break siloes. But most importantly, she leads with curiosity. And she does it all anchored in the reality that, as another woman making headlines — Vice President Kamala Harris – reminds us, the coconut doesn’t just fall from the tree. Context matters and requires that these new modes of giving take a nuanced approach that upholds the dignity and agency of the people served.
Melinda suggested that it’ll take 25 years until we can see if women do philanthropy differently. But I say, she is setting a precedent that can accelerate philanthropy’s evolution, with women at the fore. Melinda isn’t just taking sides, as the headline states. She’s taking a stand – for herself and for women everywhere.
Read more from the Maverick Collective here.
