Photo features: (L-R) Fatima Goss Graves, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Norah Weinstein, Dr. Allyson Bear, Christian LoBue, Olivia Rodrigo, Caren Spruch, Jenn Stowe, Sonya Passi, Madeline Halperin-Robinson, Angela D. Aina and Dr. Melissa Walls of CIH attend Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Press Presentation on August 28, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.

Sept 1, 2026

Dear Friends,  

This past weekend was one we will never forget—a deeply joyful experience that reminds us what is possible when people rally around a common belief in the strength and leadership of women, girls and the communities they nurture. 

The generosity and infectious energy of Olivia Rodrigo and Daisy Chain Fields festival continues to multiply. During Olivia’s headline performance, we learned that the initial gifts announced for the festival’s nonprofit partners would be matched by Melinda French Gates. As a result, $2 million will come to the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health—to protect and grow our programming for Indigenous mothers, women, children and families. 

When we began planning our 35th anniversary this past January, we vowed to infuse the arts and creative expression into our work to achieve wellness more holistically —uplifting a vision for “Thriving Indigenous Communities Worldwide”.  And, the universe responded with an opportunity to participate as one of 10 non-profits in the Daisy Chain Fields festival.  At the Festival, we found ourselves at a magical crossroads of public health, music, art and joyful community engagement.   

We receive the Daisy Chain proceeds with enormous gratitude and humility. This funding does not mean that our need for philanthropic support has diminished. In a moment of profound cuts and uncertainty in federal funding, and rising threats to Indigenous well-being, these funds will help fill essential gaps. As our Co-Director Melissa Walls stated in several interviews, “Simply put, we would be unable to do our place-based work led by and with Indigenous Peoples without private funding.” 

We left the festival deeply honored by how our CIH work was elevated—providing unprecedented visibility for Indigenous health. From the Daisy Chain Reaction Philanthropy Village to the festival stages, our name, message and mission were visible to an audience of 45,000 festival attendees and tens of thousands more through social media. Melissa and our Communications Director Crystal Austin even had the joy of introducing Santigold on the main stage —a moment we couldn’t have imagined when this journey began. 

The energy from the festival has charged us with positivity and even greater determination. Visitors to our booth displayed kindness, solidarity and genuine curiosity across diverse ages and lived experiences. We were particularly moved by the young people who were so eager to learn about Indigenous health and how we do our work. We felt their warmth and embodied optimism that a better future is possible.   

We came home inspired by the seeds planted this weekend and the daisy chains we will make together in the seasons to come! You remain an essential link to our path ahead. 

Joy and optimism fill us as we shift our focus from survive to thrive!

With respect and gratitude,

Allison Barlow

Executive Director, CIH

Daisy Chain Fields Press Clips: