Pop Star and Philanthropist Join Forces to Fund Women's Health and Rights Initiatives

A benefit festival organized by Olivia Rodrigo raised $10 million for women's well-being, with an additional $10 million pledged by Melinda French Gates through Pivotal Ventures. The event, which featured artists like Chappell Roan and Bikini Kill, aimed to support organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the National Women's Law Center. The fundraising comes amid political efforts to reduce federal funding for reproductive health services.

The event’s “philanthropy village” let attendees interact directly with partner groups, collecting pins while learning about services like Planned Parenthood’s health offerings or the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s caregiver support. An installation by the Guerilla Girls used chalkboards for fan grievances, with messages ranging from “PROTECT QUEER KIDS!” to “ABORTION RIGHTS 4 ALL.” Rodrigo’s festival drew explicit inspiration from Lilith Fair, the 1990s all-women tour founded by Sarah McLachlan, who joined Saturday’s lineup. That earlier effort raised $10 million for charity and challenged industry assumptions about booking female artists consecutively.

The fundraising arrives as the Trump administration paused $27.5 million in family planning grants last year, including funds for some Planned Parenthood affiliates, before restoring the money. Rodrigo, 23, has sought to bridge Gen Z and nonprofits, which often struggle to engage younger donors who prefer informal giving. Attendee Grace Slevin, 24, noted that music creates a sense of connection that mobilizes people, adding that younger generations demand authenticity beyond superficial progressiveness.