Canva's billionaire founders donated $150 million directly to residents of Malawi; aided 90% rise above extreme poverty | TheBriefWire
Canva's billionaire founders donated $150 million directly to residents of Malawi; aided 90% rise above extreme poverty
Published 25 July 2026 ยท world
Canva billionaires Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have made a move challenging conventional aid by putting cash directly into the hands of an East African
Canva billionaires Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have made a move challenging conventional aid by putting cash directly into the hands of an East African country's poorest households. The cofounders of the Australian design software maker are investing a whopping $150 million into a cash transfer program in Malawi. Since launching the initiative in 2021 through the Canva Foundation and nonprofit GiveDirectly, the couple has expanded what began as a $10 million pilot into the largest unconditional cash transfer program ever attempted in a low-income country.
Published: July 25, 2026 โข 1:39 PM IST ยท Updated: July 25, 2026 โข 2:03 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Canva billionaires Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have made a move challenging conventional aid by putting cash directly into the hands of an East African country's poorest households.
The cofounders of the Australian design software maker are investing a whopping $150 million into a cash transfer program in Malawi.
Since launching the initiative in 2021 through the Canva Foundation and nonprofit GiveDirectly, the couple has expanded what began as a $10 million pilot into the largest unconditional cash transfer program ever attempted in a low-income country.