Village Enterprise has announced a $7 million gift from Giving Pledge signatory MacKenzie Scott. 

The largest single unrestricted donation in the organization’s history will support Village Enterprise’s work to equip three million first-time entrepreneurs in Africa with skills and resources to launch sustainable businesses, helping to end extreme poverty and build climate resilience for 20 million women, children, and men by 2030. Through collective action with governments, multilateral and bilateral agencies, funders, other nonprofits, and private-sector companies, Village Enterprise is working to scale its cost-effective poverty graduation model.

“It’s only fitting that Ms. Scott’s generous gift comes during Women’s History Month, as it will be life-changing for women living in extreme poverty in Africa and their families,” said Village Enterprise CEO Dianne Calvi. “When women have opportunities to launch climate-smart businesses, they not only lift themselves and their families out of poverty—they are also equipped to adapt to the threats of climate change. As East Africa is going through its worst drought in four decades, this is crucial to ensuring long-term prosperity for the most vulnerable households.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Untitled Images)