Michelle Obama has announced that her Girls Opportunity Alliance will provide more than $1 million in support to 25 grassroots organisations across 15 countries, helping girls access education, develop leadership skills and overcome barriers to opportunity. The initiative aims to strengthen community-led programmes that empower adolescent girls and give them the resources and support needed to shape brighter futures.
The former First Lady shared the announcement on 11 October to mark International Day of the Girl, highlighting the work of community-based groups supporting young women around the world. Through the initiative, the organisations will receive support to expand programmes ranging from scholarships and mentorship to after-school activities and initiatives addressing gender-based violence.
Michelle Obama Explains Why Investing in Girls Matters
In her Instagram post, Obama encouraged people to support the organisations and help amplify their work. 'Today, on International #DayoftheGirl, I'm excited to announce that the Girls Opportunity Alliance will be providing more than $1 million to 25 incredible grassroots organisations supporting girls in 15 different countries,' she wrote.
She highlighted the range of issues being addressed, including scholarships in Kenya, efforts to reduce gender-based violence in Brazil and leadership education for girls in India and Sierra Leone. 'In so many ways, they're changing the lives of young women—and building a better world for all of us,' Obama added.
She also urged followers to get involved by donating what they could, sharing the organisations' stories and finding opportunities to support girls in their own communities. 'That's how we'll turn hope into action,' she wrote.
In a separate video accompanying the announcement, Obama reflected on the potential every girl holds and the wider impact of investing in her future. 'I've always believed that every girl holds a unique promise—a special way that she can change the lives of those around her, maybe even the world,' she said. 'And that's why investing in girls isn't just the right thing to do; it's an investment in our shared future.'
The Organisations Helping Girls Around the World
The funding will support grassroots organisations expanding girls' access to education, mentorship and leadership opportunities. Recipients include Girls First Initiative in Tanzania, Asociación Soy Niña in Costa Rica and Squash Dreamers in Jordan.
In Tanzania, Girls First Initiative plans to establish leadership clubs in four schools. Meanwhile, Haiti Adolescent Girls Network will train mentors and create 10 safe spaces offering weekly sessions on health, leadership, violence prevention and financial literacy, aiming to reach 700 girls and 3,000 community members.
Valerie Jarrett, chief executive of The Obama Foundation, stressed the importance of safe, supportive environments for girls. 'When we create safe and supportive spaces for girls to thrive and achieve their full potential, we create a spark for positive change in communities across the world,' Jarrett said.
A Growing Global Network
Launched in 2018, the Girls Opportunity Alliance is an initiative of The Obama Foundation that works to educate and empower adolescent girls worldwide. It supports grassroots projects and helps connect leaders working to improve opportunities for girls.
According to the Foundation, the alliance has supported more than 265 grassroots projects across 50 countries, reaching more than 190,000 girls. Its work includes funding, mentorship and opportunities for organisations to learn from one another and strengthen their programmes.
The latest global commitment is separate from funding announced in September for 10 Chicago-based organisations. That initiative provided $500,000 in funding and organisational support to help local groups expand their work with girls. Through her latest announcement, Obama is encouraging supporters to look beyond a single day of recognition and take practical steps to help girls access the opportunities they deserve.
Her message is that supporting girls benefits not only individuals but also their families and communities. By helping grassroots organisations expand their work, the Girls Opportunity Alliance aims to give more young women the resources and support they need to shape their own futures.
