American Fashion Designer Tory Burch Foundation Pledges $1 Billion Boost for Women Entrepreneurs by 2030

• Tory Burch Foundation commits $1 billion to support women entrepreneurs through 2030
• The project seeks to spur economic growth by empowering women businesses
• Support will include capital access, educational resources, and community-building

The Tory Burch Foundation has ambitiously pledged $1 billion to drive the U.S. economy forward by 2030 by speeding up the expansion of women entrepreneurs. Rolled out on May 1, this pledge reflects the foundation's ongoing purpose to uplift women through access to capital, education, and community.

Founded in 2009, the organization has already made loans to thousands of women worth over $100 million in low-interest loans, over $3.2 million in grants to women of color, and free online education to over 650,000 individuals per year. Its signature Fellows Program has enriched 280 women in business growth, with an astonishing half of these women achieving the $1 million revenue mark—far more than the national average for woman-owned businesses.

Three pillars support the new promise: capital, education, and community. The Capital Program, which is partnered with Bank of America, has already made millions in loans and features a Funding Finder tool to guide women through various financing options. From an education perspective, the foundation offers complimentary webinars covering topics from marketing to operations and becomes the biggest free business resource for women founders. Simultaneously, the Fellows Program and conferences such as the Embrace Ambition Summit form crucial support systems that bridge founders with mentors, investors, and colleagues.

The commitment occurs at a pivotal economic time when the U.S. is experiencing increased inflation and an accelerating economy. In spite of these obstacles, women have been shown to be tough business leaders, opening half of all new small businesses since the pandemic and with a 98 percent loan repayment rate. Tory and Foundation President Tiffany Dufu both point out that investing in women is not charity—it's a sound economic decision. This initiative is not merely about creating $1 billion in revenue, but about transforming how women are viewed in business.

Strategic alliances are key to the foundation's scope and influence. Its alliance with Bank of America has played a key role in offering resources, and a new alliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce introduces women to federal intellectual property and market access programs. Programs like the Fellows program continue to equip women with the capabilities they need to grow and scale.

All this notwithstanding, there are still challenges that include persistent funding gaps, economic uncertainty, and the isolation of entrepreneurship. The foundation's focus on alternative capital and community is intended to cut through these barriers. Ultimately, the Tory Burch Foundation's $1 billion commitment is money, but not just money—rather, a call to action.