Isabel Allende Foundation awards MSI Espíritu Award Grant

The $100,000 grant to MSI United States will advance women’s health globally

Washington, DC – March 4th, 2026 – MSI United States (MSI US) is proud to announce it has been awarded the Isabel Allende Foundation’s 2026 Espíritu Award. The award includes a $100,000 grant that will support MSI Reproductive Choices’ mission to end unsafe abortion and make contraception available to all who want it.

The grant runs from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, and reflects a shared commitment between MSI US and the Isabel Allende Foundation to empower women and girls, and support them to lead healthier, fuller lives.

“We are proud to support MSI Reproductive Choices’ important work to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, uphold the rights of women and girls, and strengthen networks of empowerment across communities,” said Lori Barra, Executive Director of the Isabel Allende Foundation.

The Isabel Allende Foundation, founded by internationally acclaimed author and humanitarian Isabel Allende, supports organizations working to secure reproductive rights, economic independence and freedom from violence for women and girls. Through the Espíritu Award, the Foundation recognizes organizations whose work embodies resilience, courage, and transformative impact.

“We are deeply honored to receive recognition from a foundation rooted in the values and legacy associated with Isabel Allende, a world-renowned advocate for humanitarian causes and the rights of women and girls,” said Amanda Seller, President of MSI United States. “This award affirms the urgency of advancing women’s health globally and strengthens our commitment to building communities of solidarity that empower women to make informed choices about their bodies and their futures.”

MSI Reproductive Choices works in partnership with in-country teams and local organizations in 36 countries primarily across Africa and Asia to expand access to high-quality, voluntary family planning and reproductive health services. With this support, MSI will continue to invest in programs that remove barriers to care, support frontline health providers, and amplify women’s leadership within their communities.

The Espíritu Award underscores the power of global solidarity at a time when women’s health and rights face mounting challenges. With this generous support from the Isabel Allende Foundation, MSI will further its efforts to ensure that women everywhere have access to the care, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.

For more information about the Isabel Allende Foundation, visit: https://isabelallende.org.

MSI Press office

Kylie Harrison kylie.harrison@msichoices.org

Grace Dunne grace.dunne@msichoices.org

IMPACT STORIES

Real people, real stories, real solutions.

How choice advances gender equality
Bodily autonomy

How choice advances gender equality

Gender equality isn’t possible without reproductive choice.   Only 57% of women around ... Read More

Meet a Big Sister changing lives 
Girls' Education

Meet a Big Sister changing lives 

Teen girls have a lot of questions about sex and sexual ... Read More

Expanding access through advocacy
Reports

Expanding access through advocacy

In 2025, MSI country programs led advocacy efforts that contributed to ... Read More

View All