Olivia Rodrigo raised a significant sum of $10 million with her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields Festival — and then doubled it to $20 million, thanks to a matching commitment from philanthropist Melinda French Gates.
Rodrigo introduced her own headlining set at the festival on Saturday in Irvine, California by thanking the crowd for attending and revealing that the event, which featured a robust lineup including Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Garbage and more, had raised $10 million. She then revealed that Gates had contributed another $10 million, bringing the overall sum to $20 million.
“Daisy Chain Fields is about what can happen when we come together and use our collective power to support one another,” said Rodrigo. “I’m incredibly grateful to Melinda and Pivotal for believing in this mission and making the impact of our first festival twice as powerful. Most of all, I’m so excited about what this means for the incredible organisations we’re supporting and the women, girls and communities they show up for every single day.”
Gates joined Rodrigo on stage to commend her for her philanthropic efforts with Daisy Chain Fields. “Olivia Rodrigo is a force,” said French Gates. “What Daisy Chain Fields sets in motion will last far beyond a single night, by opening up opportunity for women and girls around the world and showing a new generation how much their voices matter. I’m so proud to support Olivia’s vision.”
The $20 million will be distributed equally across 10 different nonprofit organisations supporting women and girls. Among the organisations are Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center for Reproductive Rights, FreeForm, Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center and Planned Parenthood.
At the festival, attendees enjoyed performances from a slew of performers that also included Bikini Kill, Eli, Mitski, Not for Radio, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, the Breeders and more. Throughout the day, concertgoers were encouraged to learn about the nonprofits through Daisy Chain Reaction, which offered information about the causes.
From Variety US
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