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ABOUT US

Our Work

CENTERED AROUND 5 CORE PILLARS

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Over $100 million invested in community-led solutions to global challenges since 2012.

Climate Solutions

With roots in islands and regions vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, we support solutions that help communities withstand its effects and ensure those most impacted by climate change are empowered to lead.

Arts & Culture

We actively support arts initiatives that preserve cultural heritage and foster community engagement in the regions we fund. We invest in community-led organizations that promote asset creation, long-term sustainability, and innovative climate solutions through arts practices.

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Raising awarenessof the importance of performing arts education to the wider community impact.
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Nearly $80 millionin multiyear grants that support organizations charting a path for transformational change.

Women’s Entrepreneurship

We recognize that elevating women elevates communities and entire economies, so we invest in women-led entrepreneurs and solutions, from small businesses to social enterprises.

Health Access & Equity

Health equity is at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to expanding access to care across Barbados and the Caribbean, investing in innovations that advance universal health and equity. We also champion community-led health solutions that preserve traditional medicine and cultural practices, with a special focus on indigenous communities in the Caribbean and US South.

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$1.75 millioninvested to supply the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with their first modern radiotherapy equipment in 2012.
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Leveling the playing fieldthrough educational initiatives, scholarships, and youth programs

Future Generations

Lasting change starts with leveling the playing field for the rising generations who will be our future, so we invest in educational initiatives, scholarships, and other programs to support youth and ensure their voices are heard. We are interested in investigating the impact of the digital divide and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of education.

A Timeline

OF OUR PHILANTHROPY OVER THE YEARS

  • 2022

    CLF commits $15 million to 18 organizations working on climate solutions across the U.S. and Caribbean.


    In May, CLF’s Climate Resilience Initiative is recognized as a World Changing Ideas honoree by Fast Company.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2021

    In response to a devastating earthquake in Haiti, CLF partners with various organizations to distribute over $1 million to provide a combination of emergency aid as well as investment into long-term climate resilience projects in Haiti.
    Rihanna is honored by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley as a National Hero of Barbados. CLF’s inaugural project was at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rihanna’s home country of Barbados. CLF continues to fund legacy projects on the island, ranging from climate resilience work to scholarships.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2020

    In February, CLF is named one of the world’s Most Innovative Not-for-Profit companies by Fast Company, and Rihanna receives the NAACP’s prestigious President’s Award in recognition of her business and public service achievements.

    Shortly after, the global coronavirus pandemic hits. Rihanna and CLF immediately begin partnering with individuals and organizations to provide direct support to communities around the world. Altogether, they leverage more than $36 million to support 45 organizations working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response in 14 countries. 

    In parallel, the Foundation donates $11 million to organizations leading the charge on police and criminal justice reform.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2019

    Under Rihanna’s leadership, CLF launches the Climate Resilience Initiative and announces its first pilot emergency preparedness project--the hardening of reproductive health clinics across the Caribbean. Through "partnerships for preparedness" with organizations and suppliers, CLF begins the work to build long-term, sustainable alliances that prioritize the needs of women and girls through infrastructure hardening projects, gender-integrated emergency response planning, and local capacity building. 

    CLF also contributes more than $1 million to Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2018

    In February, Rihanna and CLF participate in the GPE’s Financing Conference in Dakar, Senegal. The conference, co-hosted by Senegal’s President Macky Sall and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, convenes heads of states, NGOs, and business leaders with the purpose of raising $2.3 billion in global funding for education. The day before the conference, Rihanna tweets at President Macron with the hope of influencing the president to increase his country’s financial commitment to the partnership. As a result, France commits to increase their funding to $200 million.

    Rihanna is appointed an Ambassador of Barbados.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2017

    In January, Rihanna travels to Malawi in her role as Ambassador for the GPE to spend time with key educators, government officials, mentors, and students who are working collaboratively to build a better future for the next generation of Malawians. CLF begins its support for more than 7,000 girls in Malawi to attend secondary school and transition to post-secondary school opportunities. CLF also responds to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in Texas, Puerto Rico, USVI and Dominica as well as the earthquakes in Mexico. 

    Rihanna receives the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award and is honored by The New School at the 69th Annual Parsons Benefit in NYC for empowering young women on a global scale.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2016

    CLF responds to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. CLF also launches its global scholarship program this year. Rihanna forms partnerships with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Global Citizen, the international education and advocacy organization, and together they tackle the global education crisis on a broader scale through advocacy. As headliner to the annual Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, to ask the Canadian and French governments to increase their commitments to education. The result: Canada pledges to invest $20 million in the Education Cannot Wait fund. Rihanna also partners with Live Nation this year to donate $1 from each of her ANTI World Tour tickets to CLF, raising over $1.2 million for the foundation.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2013

    The singer helms two Viva Glam lipstick campaigns with MAC Cosmetics, raising more than $60 million to benefit women and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. This same year, CLF responds to the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2012

    Rihanna starts the Clara Lionel Foundation through her gift of modern radiotherapy medical equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. The radiotherapy center was later renamed the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine in honor of Rihanna’s late grandmother. 

    Later this year, when Hurricane Sandy hits, CLF responds by supporting the relief efforts of the Food Bank of NYC.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids
  • 2011

    The Believe Foundation honors Rihanna for her support of the organization over the years.

    Rihanna taking selfie with group of kids

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