NEW YORK — Rihanna is no stranger to challenging norms. The nine-time Grammy Award winner has channeled her extensive collection of hits, such as “Umbrella” and “Work,” into a thriving business empire valued at roughly $1.4 billion, placing her prominently on Forbes’ list of the wealthiest “self-made” women in America last year. The Barbados native took fans by surprise with a pregnancy announcement during her solo 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance. Her widely successful Fenty Beauty cosmetics line also made waves in the industry by offering inclusive shades.
However, it’s not the anticipated new album following 2016’s “Anti” that’s turning heads this year; rather, it’s her philanthropic efforts. The Clara Lionel Foundation, named after her grandparents and partially funded by her brands, is set for a significant shift focusing more on climate solutions and support for women entrepreneurs in under-resourced areas of East Africa, the Caribbean, and the Southern U.S. Having operated under-the-radar for the past 13 years, the foundation is ready to step into the limelight.
“Our founder is a global figure from a small island. She’s an entrepreneur, a mother, a creative,” shared the Executive Director Jessie Schutt-Aine. “We want an organization that embodies her spirit: bold, ambitious, and innovative.” Experts highlight that it’s uncommon to witness such intentionality among celebrity philanthropists. The Clara Lionel Foundation has earned recognition for its “trust-based” giving approach, empowering beneficiaries with unrestricted funds.
Nick Tilsen, founder of NDN Collective, praised the foundation for allowing his Indigenous power-building organization to operate independently on its own terms. “They’re not intrusive; they support our mission and trust us to pursue our work,” Tilsen noted. Rihanna initiated the foundation with a $516,000 donation following her grandmother’s cancer-related passing in 2012. That same year, she established an oncology center in Barbados to enhance cancer screening and treatment. Initially focused on healthcare, the foundation has broadened its scope over the years.
By 2019, emphasis shifted to emergency preparedness, with grantmaking reaching over $33 million in 2020 in response to the pandemic and in support of racial justice movements. Now, the foundation embraces a revamped team and priorities that align with its expanded ambitions. A new women’s entrepreneurship director in South Carolina and Black Feminist Fund co-founder Amina Doherty have been appointed to enhance programmatic impact. The foundation’s pillars now encompass climate solutions, arts and culture, health access, and equity for future generations.
Ashley Lashley, a 25-year-old whose Barbados-based foundation collaborates with CLF on environmental challenges, commended the focus on youth. “Rihanna’s foundation exemplifies how women in influential positions can contribute to grassroots work,” she said. Rihanna has expressed her intent for the foundation to remain a beacon for “global inclusion in philanthropy,” reflecting a deep-seated love for community.
One of the latest developments involves a partnership with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Together, they aim to support artist-led initiatives that preserve the invaluable cultural history threatened by climate change, inspiring new narratives globally.
The collaboration with Mellon marks a significant milestone for CLF, according to Schutt-Aine. Justin Garrett Moore, director of Mellon’s Humanities in Place program, acknowledged CLF’s potential to amplify the power of the arts through its work.
Among its beneficiaries is a developmental performance arts program in Bridgetown, which also offers free social services to students. Operation Triple Threat, a beneficiary, secured essential resources thanks to CLF’s unrestricted support. “It’s unusual to receive such a flexible donation,” said founder Janelle Headley.
Mary Beth Collins of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlighted CLF’s unique model among celebrity philanthropies. Rather than engaging only when required, CLF takes a long-term perspective with partners, aligning with strategies that focus on empowering local leaders.
This approach was evident when CLF provided additional funds to a clean energy nonprofit affected by Hurricane Helene. Melanie Allen, co-director of The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, appreciated the immediate support, emphasizing CLF’s commitment to ongoing partnerships.
As other organizations retract funding, CLF aims to invite more partners to the table, planning a summer convening to strengthen networks. “We’re in this for the long haul,” affirmed CLF’s Doherty.
Jessie Schutt-Aine, with 25 years in global health, finds grounding in community-centered work critical. She emphasized the importance of understanding local contexts, drawing on her extensive experience treating major global health challenges.