On March 30, 2026, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City will play host to a celebration that’s set to leave a lasting mark on the beauty, fashion, and philanthropy industries. Selena Gomez, the multi-hyphenate star known for her chart-topping music and acclaimed acting, will receive the Excellence in Beauty Philanthropy Award at the 2026 Social Impact Summit—an honor that recognizes not her entertainment achievements, but her transformative work in mental health advocacy through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund.
This recognition arrives at a pivotal moment in Gomez’s life and career. Just weeks after celebrating her first Valentine’s Day as a married woman with husband Benny Blanco, the 33-year-old entrepreneur is being heralded as one of the industry’s most vocal champions for mental health. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the summit will also honor fashion pioneer Kenneth Cole with the Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award, cementing the event’s focus on the intersection of creativity, responsibility, and social impact.
Selena Gomez’s journey into philanthropy began with the 2020 launch of Rare Beauty, a cosmetics brand that quickly distinguished itself by pledging 1 percent of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund. The fund’s mission is ambitious: to mobilize $100 million in support of youth mental health services and education on a global scale. In just five years, Gomez’s leadership has already helped raise more than $30 million toward that goal, as reported by the Rare Impact Fund’s official mission statement. The fund partners with 30 nonprofit organizations—including The JED Foundation, The Trevor Project, and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services—to ensure resources reach young people in schools, communities, and moments of crisis.
“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,” Gomez said in a statement shared by Women’s Wear Daily and echoed by the summit’s organizers.
This year’s Social Impact Summit is the third in a growing tradition. After successful events in Los Angeles in 2024 and 2025, the summit’s move to New York underscores its expanding influence. The invitation-only event, running from 3 to 6 p.m. at FIT, will convene industry leaders for panels and presentations on topics such as Trailblazers in Fashion and Beauty Philanthropy, Diversity and Creative Inclusion, and The Sustainability and Impact Mandate. Panelists will include representatives from major brands like MAC Cosmetics, Kate Spade New York, LVMH, Tommy Hilfiger, the Estée Lauder Companies, and Hope for Flowers by Tracey Reese and Artisan Studio, according to coverage by Women’s Wear Daily.
What makes Gomez’s recognition especially notable is the model she’s built—one where entrepreneurship and philanthropy are not parallel efforts, but deeply interdependent. Rare Beauty’s business model weaves social impact directly into its DNA, setting a new standard for how brands can leverage commercial success to drive systemic change. This is not just about writing checks; it’s about sustainable, purpose-driven business practices that create a ripple effect far beyond the beauty counter.
The Rare Impact Fund’s progress is striking. Since its inception, the fund has raised over $30 million, with a stated goal of $100 million to be reached in the coming years. The impact is tangible: increased access to mental health services, educational resources for youth, and support for vulnerable communities worldwide. The fund’s partnerships with organizations like The JED Foundation and The Trevor Project ensure that its resources are channeled where they’re needed most—often in moments of acute crisis, or in communities where mental health support has historically been lacking.
Gomez’s commitment to advocacy is not new. Since 2009, she has served as UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador, using her platform to champion children’s rights and mental health. Her philanthropic work has previously been recognized with accolades such as the Morton E. Ruderman Award and the Stanford Mental Health Award. Yet, the 2026 Social Impact Summit marks a milestone: it’s a moment when the entertainment and beauty industries are elevating mental health advocacy to the same level as artistic achievement.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the Social Impact Fund and the FIT Foundation,” Gomez said, reflecting on the significance of the award. “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.”
Gomez’s recognition comes on the heels of personal milestones as well. Following her high-profile marriage to music producer Benny Blanco in September 2025, Gomez shared intimate Valentine’s Day moments with her husband on social media, delighting fans and reminding the world that even as she scales new heights professionally, she remains grounded in her personal life.
Her co-honoree at the summit, Kenneth Cole, is no stranger to the intersection of business and social justice. As the founder of the Mental Health Coalition and a designer with four decades of advocacy under his belt, Cole’s work has helped advance mental health awareness and reduce stigma across industries. “I have always believed that business and philanthropy are not independent; they are in fact interdependent,” Cole stated, as quoted by Women’s Wear Daily. “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, honored dialogue — and I remain committed to continuing this important work.”
The summit’s broader agenda reflects a growing industry trend: brands are being called to account for their social impact, and consumers are increasingly seeking out companies that align with their values. The panels and presentations at FIT will explore not only how to amplify philanthropic efforts, but also how to embed them into the very fabric of business models, design, and storytelling.
For Gomez, the recognition is both a celebration of progress and a call to action. With $30 million already mobilized and a $100 million target in sight, the Rare Impact Fund is poised to expand its reach even further. The hope, as articulated by summit organizers and echoed by Gomez herself, is that this model of purpose-driven business will inspire others across the beauty and fashion industries—and beyond—to follow suit.
On March 30, all eyes will be on FIT as the Social Impact Summit honors two trailblazers whose work proves that creativity and compassion, when woven together, can change lives. For Selena Gomez, it’s a moment of recognition that underscores not just what she’s achieved, but the example she’s setting for a new generation of leaders committed to making a difference where it matters most.