Melinda Gates Doubles Olivia Rodrigo Daisy Chain Fields $20 M Nonprofit
After Olivia Rodrigo announced Friday that Daisy Chain Fields had raised $10 million for women-focused nonprofits, Melinda French Gates has doubled that number, totaling the donation to $20 million.
Before her headlining set Saturday night, the “drop dead” singer took the stage to thank all of the musicians who took part in the festival. She began, “The fact that they took the time out of their insanely busy schedules to come and do this festival for free is something I’m so grateful for. Because of that, and because of all of you who came to hang out today, I can stand on the stage and say we are donating $10 million to 10 incredible charities.”
“I really believe that giving women the tools to decide their own futures and live healthy lives free of violence and discrimination is the most effective tool we have at changing the world for the better,” she began, before introducing French Gates and her donation. “And I don’t know many people who represent that idea more than Melinda French Gates.”
“Melinda is one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met. She’s devoted her life to empowering women and girls that might have otherwise been forgotten,” Rodrigo said. “She’s generous and brave and has done so much good in this world, and I’m totally floored because as well as being in attendance here tonight, she’s pledged to double every dollar that we made here today to a grand total of funds being donated to $20 million. I’m so grateful!”
The 10 beneficiary organizations, which will equally split the total funds raised, are Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center for Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center and Planned Parenthood.
2026 marked the first year of Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields after being announced in June. At a Friday press conference ahead of the weekend, the singer announced that $10 million had been raised for its nonprofit partners.
“The organizations we’ve partnered with are doing incredibly important work every single day in the U.S. and globally,” Rodrigo said. “I’m so grateful to every person who bought a ticket, every artist who waived their fee, every sponsor for signing onto a brand new festival and every donation that helped get to $10 million dollars to support women and girls.”
Alongside Rodrigo, performers included Chappell Roan, Mitski, Doechii, Bikini Kill, the Breeders, Garbage, Eli, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, Devon Again and Not For Radio. Stevie Nicks, Karen O and Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan served as special guests. Katseye was originally announced as part of the performance lineup, but dropped out on Thursday due to an injury sustained by member Megan.
Nicole Fell contributed to this report.
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