Who we are
In May 2024, Melinda French Gates announced a new $1B commitment to advancing women’s power and influence globally via Pivotal Ventures. Specifically, Melinda generously allocated $240 million to partner with a diverse group of 12 global leaders (including olympian Allyson Felix, filmmaker Ana DuVernay, and fomer New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern) to distribute to charitable organizations they consider to be doing urgent, impactful, and innovative work to improve women’s health and wellbeing globally.
Amongst this group, Melinda selected Sabrina Natasha Habib who she met through her pioneering work on childcare with Kidogo. Sabrina founded Zera Fund to find, support, and connect social innovations working to improve life for all by investing in the strength and resiliency of women and girls.
“It’s an incredible experiment. This approach could really redefine how we do philanthropy.”
Inspiration
Zera Fund is named after Zerakhanu Kurji, Sabrina’s grandmother, who’s extraordinary life inspired the ethos of the fund. She was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania in 1927 and pursued her education for many more years than girls typically did at the time with the support of her father. She went on to become one of the first women to hold volunteer leadership roles within her faith community (ethic of seva - selfless service) and treated all people with kindness and love. After becoming a single mother with the passing of her husband, Zera migrated from East Africa to Canada. She was able to integrate, learn English, and become an independent, contributing member of society - even deciding to get her drivers licence at the age of ____. Zera passed away in 2024, just a few months before Sabrina was asked by Melinda to participate in this new initiative.
Zera Fund takes inspiration from her story, and honours her memory.
Meet the Team
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Sabrina Natasha Habib
Executive Director
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Jenna Rogers-Rafferty
Senior Advisor
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Afzal Habib
Senior Advisor
Contact us
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