Chime for Change

Chime for Change
Name	Chime for Change
Formation	2013
Founders	Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Salma Hayek Pinault, Frédéric Mazzella
Type	Non-profit campaign
Headquarters	London
Region served	Global
Purpose	Women’s empowerment

Chime for Change is a global advocacy campaign founded in 2013 by Beyoncé, Salma Hayek, and Frédéric Mazzella to advance gender equality through funding, campaigning, and media. The initiative mobilized celebrities, corporations, and non-governmental organizations including Global Fund for Women, CARE International, and Plan International to support projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It leveraged cultural events, philanthropic partnerships, and digital platforms to raise awareness and resources for women’s and girls’ rights.

History

Launched in 2013, the campaign debuted with a benefit concert in London featuring performances and appearances by Beyoncé, Shakira, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Founders drew on networks that included Gucci leadership and philanthropic figures from France and the United States to scale programming across regions such as Nigeria, India, Mexico, and Brazil. Early collaborations connected the campaign with organizations like Girl Up, Equality Now, Women for Women International, and UN Women initiatives, and partnered with foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and corporate donors linked to Kering and LVMH. Over subsequent years the campaign expanded grant-making, advocacy, and storytelling, coordinating with actors, activists, and artists from South Africa to Indonesia.

Mission and Objectives

The stated mission focused on enabling access to education, healthcare, and justice for women and girls through advocacy, grant-making, and cultural influence. Objectives included supporting grassroots projects run by organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Save the Children, and CARE International; promoting civic participation alongside groups like Women Deliver and Equality Now; and amplifying survivor-centered services linked to International Rescue Committee programs. The initiative emphasized measurable outcomes by funding pilots with partners including Global Fund for Women, Malala Fund, and Girls Not Brides to advance rights in areas such as maternal health, legal protection, and economic empowerment.

Campaigns and Initiatives

Programs funded and promoted included community-based interventions in regions with partnerships across Kenya, Pakistan, Haiti, and Peru. Grants supported partners like ActionAid, Plan International, CARE International, Women’s Refugee Commission, and Refugee Council-affiliated projects. Advocacy strands aligned with campaigns from HeForShe, #MeToo, and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, while education-focused initiatives collaborated with UNICEF-linked programs and the Malala Fund. Digital storytelling initiatives drew content creators and platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram to disseminate narratives from activists like Leymah Gbowee, Malala Yousafzai, and Nadia Murad.

Events and Performances

High-profile events featured benefit concerts and public service campaigns staged in cities including London, New York City, and Paris. Performers and speakers involved artists and personalities such as Beyoncé, Shakira, John Legend, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Emma Watson, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alicia Keys, and public figures like Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. These events incorporated partnerships with media outlets including BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and Vogue to broadcast performances and panel discussions alongside activists from Amal Clooney-affiliated legal networks, human rights lawyers, and representatives from institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University who discussed issues ranging from reproductive health to anti-discrimination law.

Partnerships and Funding

Fundraising and grant distribution operated via collaborations with philanthropic entities and corporate partners such as Gucci, Kering, LVMH, and major donors connected to the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. The campaign allocated funds through intermediaries including Global Fund for Women and Girls Not Brides, and coordinated with international development agencies such as USAID and bilateral funds associated with United Kingdom development programs. Implementation partners comprised NGOs like ACLU, Equality Now, Women for Women International, Plan International, and local civil society organizations in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters pointed to grants, increased visibility, and collaborative projects with organizations such as CARE International, Global Fund for Women, and Save the Children as contributions to service delivery, legal reform advocacy, and awareness-raising. Critics raised concerns echoed in commentary from civil society analysts and journalists at outlets like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Atlantic regarding celebrity-led philanthropy, the sustainability of short-term grants, and the balance between branding by luxury corporations and grassroots accountability. Debates referenced similar critiques of initiatives involving celebrities and brands like UNICEF partnerships and corporate social responsibility programs linked to Gucci and Kering, urging stronger monitoring, local leadership, and long-term funding commitments akin to models from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and established humanitarian NGOs.

Category:Women's rights organizations