Michelle Obama Celebrates International Day of the Girl by Pledging More Than $1 Million to Organizations That Support Girls

Raven BrunnerSun, October 11, 2026 at 11:09 PM UTC

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Michelle Obama.Credit: Michelle Obama/Instagram -

Michelle Obama announced that she’s supporting 25 different organizations in 15 countries with a total of more than $1 million through her Girls Opportunity Alliance

“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 in a video

The initiative supports adolescent girls around the world through education, empowerment and advocacy

Michelle Obama is uplifting girls around the world.

The former first lady, 62, celebrated International Day of the Girl on Sunday, Oct. 11, with a major commitment through her Girls Opportunity Alliance, which supports adolescent girls around the world through education, empowerment and advocacy.

The alliance announced that it will support 25 different organizations in 15 countries with a total of more than $1 million.

Associação Mempodera.Credit: Associação Mempodera

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.”

A few of the organizations receiving support include Associação Mempodera in Brazil, which promotes gender equity through sport and education; Girl Power Foundation in Uganda, which is a community-based organization that works with adolescent girls and young women through mentorship and education support; and Milaan Foundation in India, which helps adolescent girls build agency, opportunity and wellbeing.

The funding will allow the organizations to expand their programming. For instance, Girls First Initiative in Tanzania will use the support to establish leadership clubs in four schools, and Haiti Adolescent Girls Network in Haiti will train community mentors and establish 10 spaces for weekly education sessions.

Leaders of the organizations are also invited to join the Girls Opportunity Alliance Network, which offers engagement opportunities and resources.

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Since the Girls Opportunity Alliance launched in 2018 under The Obama Foundation, it has supported more than 265 grassroots projects across 50 countries.

Milaan Foundation.Credit: Milaan Foundation

In 2019 alone, Michelle committed to donating more than $500,000 in proceeds from merchandise around her bestselling memoirBecoming to support girls’ education worldwide.

Earlier this year, the alliance gave $500,000 in funding and support to 10 Chicago-based organizations.

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Back in June, Michelle and husband Barack Obamaspoke with PEOPLE ahead of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.

At the time, Michelle said of the couple’s daughters, Malia and Sasha, “As my mom would say about us, and I have to say this about Malia and Sasha, as wonderful as they are, they just reflect back what their generation has to offer. There are millions of amazing young people like our girls, and we see them every day.”

The two also spoke about the current stage of their lives, with Barack, 65, saying, “I feel great.”

The former president pointed to their philanthropic efforts, adding, “Over the last 10 years, we have been working with young leaders through the foundation’s programs around the world. That’s given me the most satisfaction.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”