Billionaire philanthropists and authors Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott are doubling down on gender inequality in the U.S.
The two are teaming up to launch a national competition that will award a total of $30 million to nonprofits with the best ideas on how to tackle what's holding women back in their careers, at home, in tech, and beyond. There will be a special focus on how to elevate Black women and women of color.
Submissions for the Equality Can't Wait Challenge, open to any US nonprofit with an idea on how to advance women's place in society, will be evaluated on four criteria: Is the idea transformative? Does it approach the issue from an equity lens that considers the experiences of women of all backgrounds, including women of color, women living in poverty, and LGBTQ women? Is it innovative? Is it feasible?
Winners, who will split the $30 million, will be selected by a team of judges, including French Gates and Scott. French Gates' investment and incubation firm, Pivotal Ventures, is spearheading the project.