Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States, is stepping up efforts to support girls around the world through education and empowerment. Her Girls Opportunity Alliance has pledged more than $1 million to support 25 organizations across 15 countries, reports PEOPLE.
The initiative focuses on helping adolescent girls access education, overcome challenges and build better futures. In addition to the $1 million pledge, the alliance announced a $2.5 million fundraising plan in October 2025 to support 54 grassroots organizations across 28 countries working to improve educational opportunities for girls.
In a new video, Michelle said, “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. And that’s why investing in girls isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s an investment in our shared future.”
She continued, “That’s the work the Girls Opportunity Alliance has been committed to for years: lifting up the grassroots leaders and groups that are helping girls around the world get the education they deserve.”
How will Michelle Obama's funding help girls?
The organizations receiving support from Michelle Obama's $1 million funding include Associação Mempodera in Brazil, which promotes gender equality through sports and education. It also includes Girl Power Foundation in Uganda, which helps teenage girls and young women through mentoring and education; Milaan Foundation in India, which helps teenage girls build confidence and access better opportunities.
In 2019, Michelle Obama also pledged more than $500,000 from merchandise sales linked to her bestselling memoir, Becoming, to support girls’ education around the world. Earlier this year, the Girls Opportunity Alliance provided $500,000 in funding and support to 10 organizations in Chicago. The money will help them expand their programs.
For example, Girls First Initiative in Tanzania will use the funding to set up leadership clubs in four schools, while Haiti Adolescent Girls Network will train community mentors and establish 10 spaces where girls can attend weekly educational sessions.
In 2025, Michelle Obama group pledged $2.5 million
In October 2025, Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance pledged to raise $2.5 million to support 54 grassroots organizations across 28 countries that work to improve education and opportunities for adolescent girls. The initiative, part of the Obama Foundation, aims to help girls aged 10 to 19 overcome barriers to education and complete their schooling.
The funding will support programs that provide scholarships, educational materials, mentorship and after-school activities. It will also help organizations address challenges such as child marriage, sexual abuse and the financial difficulties that prevent girls from attending school. The alliance allows eligible organizations to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for specific projects. It also provides community leaders with training, networking opportunities and help raising additional funds through online campaigns.
In 2014, Michelle Obama gave $102 Million for military families
In 2014, Michelle Obama announced a philanthropic initiative which pledges over $100 million to help military families over the next five years. Obama unveiled the program as she and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Joe Biden, marked the third anniversary of Joining Forces, an initiative they started to mobilize all sectors of American society to support service members and their families.
“It’s called the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange,” she said during the event at the Washington headquarters of the Red Cross. “It’s going to allow these groups to do a number of things -- share best practices, create new resources, recruit even more donors to support our military families in the years ahead.” Many of these groups, Obama said, have been supporting these causes for years, and had already committed $62 million to military families by 2019.
“But they know that that is not enough if we’re truly going to meet the needs of these families,” she said. “We’re going to have to do more.” “And so, today, they’re announcing that they’re pledging $102 million in new funding toward our military families over the next five years,” Obama said. “So this is a huge deal.”