The Social Impact Fund and Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation are hosting the March 30 event, which will focus on the intersection of fashion, beauty and philanthropy. The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner.
Analysis & Context
The Social Impact Fund and Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation are hosting the March 30 event, which will focus on the intersection of fashion, beauty and philanthropy. The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner. This article provides comprehensive coverage and analysis of current events.
The Social Impact Fund and Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation are hosting the March 30 event, which will focus on the intersection of fashion, beauty and philanthropy. The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner.
Selena Gomez and Kenneth Cole Michael Buckner/2026GG/Penske Media/Getty Images; John Nacion/WWD/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Selena Gomez and Kenneth Cole will be honored at the 2026 Social Impact Summit, taking place at the Fashion Institute of Technology on March 30. The Social Impact Fund and Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation said Tuesday that Gomez will receive the Excellence in Beauty Philanthropy Award, while Cole will be presented with the Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award at the summit. Now in its third year, the event will present its first fashion- and beauty-focused philanthropy summit. It aims to serve as a “platform for dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of fashion, beauty and purposeful advocacy” featuring “high-level” panels and conversations. (The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner of the event.) Related Stories Movies Lux Pascal, Rain Spencer, Rupert Everett and Lena Dunham Films Set for London's LGBTQIA+ Film Fest Movies Spirit Awards Snubs: Top Nominees 'Peter Hujar's Day,' 'One of Them Days,' 'Twinless' Shut Out Gomez will be recognized for her work through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. Rare Beauty, which was founded with a commitment to mental well-being and self-acceptance, has pledged 1 percent of all sales to support the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to mobilize $100 million to expand access to mental health services and education for young people worldwide. The Rare Impact Fund supports 30 nonprofit organizations — including The JED Foundation, The Trevor Project, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services — to help youth in school, in communities and in moments of crisis. In five years, Gomez’s leadership has helped raise more than $30 million. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the Social Impact Fund and the FIT Foundation,” Gomez said. “Using my platform in a meaningful way has always been important to me. I knew from the start that I wanted Rare Beauty to help create real change. For too long, young people have faced mental health challenges without the support they deserve. Through the brand and the Rare Impact Fund, we’re working together with partners to expand resources, reduce stigma, and meet young people where they are.” Cole will be honored for four decades of work toward social justice. He is credited with being a pioneer in using the fashion platform to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and more recently founded the Mental Health Coalition in 2020, when the mental health crisis was exacerbated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have always believed that business and philanthropy are not independent; they are in fact interdependent,” Cole said. “To have this work acknowledged, particularly in the mental health space, is incredibly meaningful. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made at the Mental Health Coalition in advancing mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open, honest dialogue — and I remain committed to continuing this important work. And I’m honored to be recognized by the Social Impact Fund for the work I care so passionately about.” Craig Cichy, executive director of the Social Impact Fund said, “The Social Impact Summit was created by the Social Impact Fund to bring together culture and conscience into the same room. Bringing our third Summit to NYC, and partnering with the FIT Foundation, feels especially meaningful, as fashion and beauty continue to shape not only how we express ourselves, but how we show up for our communities. This gathering is about spotlighting leaders, like Kenneth and Selena, who understand that creativity carries responsibility — and that impact is strongest when it’s woven directly into business, storytelling, and design.” Added FIT President Jason S. Schupbach: “We are thrilled to be hosting this year’s Social Impact Summit at FIT and to celebrate the incredible philanthropic contributions of fashion icons Selena Gomez and Kenneth Cole. Their commitment to entrepreneurship in service of community reflects FIT’s own core values and is a shining example for our students and beyond. We thank the FIT Foundation for supporting FIT and for helping bring this important event to our campus.” Panels will include: Trailblazers in Fashion and Beauty Philanthropy with Nicola Formichetti, senior vp/global creative director, M·A·C Cosmetics, and Taryn Bird, executive director, social impact, Kate Spade New York Diversity and the Importance of Creative Inclusion with Corey Smith, vp diversity and inclusion and academic relations a
