The Fistula Foundation, the global leader in obstetric fistula treatment, has announced a $15 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. 

The largest single donation in the organization’s history will help fuel a five-year, $110 million strategic plan to provide 80,000 life-changing surgeries to women in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia affected by obstetric fistula, which leaves them incontinent after childbirth. In addition, the gift will extend the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network model to five new countries and enable the organization to add at least 40 surgery and outreach organizations to its global network of Fistula Foundation Partners. 

“This donation is a milestone without precedent for our team, and for our dedicated partners that work every day to heal women with devastating childbirth injuries,” said Fistula Foundation CEO Kate Grant. “Our hearts burst with gratitude for Ms. Scott’s gift. Because of her generosity, we have a vital down payment on our plan to end—within a generation—the suffering caused by fistula.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/golero)