Rihanna is adding to her long list of philanthropic contributions, giving $15 million to climate justice organizations. The Barbados-born singer made the announcement through her Clara Lionel Foundation on Tuesday. According to the foundation, the contribution will benefit 18 organizations across the U.S. and Caribbean nations.
"Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of color and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation said in a statement.
"These grants support entities focused on and led by women, youth, Black, Indigenous, people of color and LGBTQIA+ communities," the statement added. "We invite others to join us in elevating, funding and supporting these groups and others who are on the frontlines of the climate justice movement."
The organizations collectively will impact various communities and demographics.
The grant will impact initiatives such as the Climate Justice Alliance, the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Movement for Black Lives. Many of the organizations are led by Black advocates, women's rights groups and indigenous communities. Rihanna also partnered with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey to strengthen the initiative.
The Black Feminist Fund, one of the organizations receiving the grant, strives to increase the resources available to Black feminist movements globally. The resources include land, food, water, shelter, work and income.
Another group, Black Visions Collective, describes itself as a Black-led, Queer and Trans centering organization that is focused on dismantling systems of violence. The Caribbean Youth Environment Network, another one of the 18 organizations, aims to improve the quality of life for young people in the island nations by addressing issues such as youth unemployment, climate resiliency and water resource management.
"This powerful group of climate justice leaders and organizers from seven Caribbean countries and nearly all 50 states — relentless doers and innovators — are responding effectively and urgently to climate change," the Clara Lionel Foundation said.
As Blavity previously reported, Rihanna was honored as a national hero of Barbados in November.
"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions, and to do credit where you shall go. God bless you, my dear," Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley said to the artist.
The “Umbrella” singer was designated an ambassador of Barbados in 2018. She was given the task of "promoting education, tourism and investment for the island."
“I have traveled the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in,” Rihanna said when she was honored in November.
