Selena Gomez and fashion icon Kenneth Cole are set to be honoured at the 2026 Social Impact Summit, hosted by The Social Impact Fund and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Foundation on March 30th. The Hollywood Reporter is the official media partner for this impactful event.
Recognizing Leaders in Philanthropy
Gomez will receive the Excellence in Beauty Philanthropy Award, acknowledging her dedication to mental health advocacy through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. Cole will be presented with the Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award, recognizing his decades-long commitment to social justice, particularly his pioneering work addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis and his recent founding of the Mental Health Coalition.
Rare Beauty’s Impactful Mission
Rare Beauty, founded on the principles of mental well-being and self-acceptance, pledges 1% of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund. This fund aims to mobilize $100 million to expand access to mental health services and education for young people globally. Over the past five years, Gomez’s leadership has already raised over $30 million, supporting organizations like The JED Foundation, The Trevor Project, and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.
“It’s an incredible honour 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.”
Kenneth Cole: A Pioneer in Socially Conscious Fashion
Kenneth Cole has long been a champion of social justice, using his fashion platform to raise awareness and support for critical causes. He founded the Mental Health Coalition in 2020, responding to the increased mental health challenges brought on by 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.”
A Platform for Dialogue and Collaboration
The Social Impact Summit aims to be a “platform for dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of fashion, beauty and purposeful advocacy.” The event will feature high-level panels and conversations with industry leaders, including Mahon, Reese, Steven Kolb (CFDA), Fern Mallis, Amber Valletta, Robert Rizzolo (Alexander Wang), and Elaine Welteroth. The summit will take place from 3-6 p.m. on March 30th, followed by a reception.
Craig Cichy, executive director of the Social Impact Fund, emphasized the importance of bringing together culture and conscience. FIT President Jason S. Schupbach highlighted the alignment between the summit’s values and FIT’s commitment to entrepreneurship in service of community.
Sponsors for the event include Kate Spade New York (Gold Sponsor), Perlman & Perlman, LLP and Ulta Beauty (Bronze Sponsors), and Delta Air Lines (official airline).
