Founded by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal Ventures accelerates social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.

©$year Pivotal Ventures, A Melinda French Gates Company

Advocacy

We are advancing an ambitious policy agenda.

Public policy can be a powerful tool that helps break down barriers to progress. We work with our partners to build support for policies that will improve people’s lives.

approach-policy-vertical

Key Principles
& Tactics

Seeking Informed Perspectives

Our agenda is driven by the people who are closest to the issues, including people with lived experience, advocates, policy experts, and leaders who know how to work with decisionmakers to get things done.

Strengthening Collaboration

We support a wide range of people and organizations working together to secure policy wins. When individuals with diverse perspectives and skills unite around common goals, they can drive unprecedented progress.

Amplifying Partners

We use our resources, our platform, and our networks to help our partners expand their reach and bring more attention to their critical work. We believe in the change our partners can make in the world.

  • Mental Health for Young People

    Young people deserve a mental health system that meets their needs.

    We partner with organizations that support youth mental health and well-being. Inseparable, for example, works to advance public policies that expand access to care for young people.

    Learn More
    A young girl in a denim jacket holds her hand to her mouth while laughing.

    Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

  • Women’s Political Power

    Government works better when it includes women at every level.

    That’s why we partner with organizations working to reduce barriers to serving in public office that disproportionately affect women. For example, Vote Mama Lobby is advocating for reforms like child care and paid leave for elected officials.

    Learn More
    A mom holds her young son at an event to help mothers running for office.

    Courtesy of Vote Mama Lobby

  • Policy & Advocacy

    Our public policies should reflect the needs of U.S. families.

    MomsRising Together is an on-the-ground and online movement of people working to increase family economic security, end discrimination against women and mothers, and build a nation in which businesses and families can thrive.

    A woman speaks into a bullhorn at a rally next to a mom holding her young child.

    Courtesy of MomsRising Together

  • Policy & Advocacy

    Gender equality is a cornerstone of social progress for everyone.

    The National Women’s Law Center works in the courts, through public policy, and across our society on the issues central to the lives of women and girls in the U.S. It has been involved in every major legal and policy victory for women for the past 50 years.

    Five women gather at a rally wearing teal shirts that say, "Justice for her. Justice for all." One holds a sign that reads, "Everyone deserves care #CareCantWait."

    Courtesy of National Women's Law Center

"Public policy is ultimately about people. When you’re advocating for better policies, you’re advocating for the people whose lives will change because of them."

Portrait of Nicole Sawran
Nicole Sawran
Senior Director, Program Strategy, Advocacy & Public Affairs

Founded by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal Ventures accelerates social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.

Since Melinda French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures in 2015, we have used different kinds of funding to achieve our mission to advance social progress, including venture capital investments, advocacy funding, and philanthropic grantmaking. In 2022, Melinda formed Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to support philanthropic grantmaking and help facilitate this flexible approach to driving impact.

©$year Pivotal Ventures, A Melinda French Gates Company

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