Equality Can't Wait Challenge
Launched on June 16, 2020, the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge will award $40 million to help expand women’s power and influence in the United States by 2030. Hosted by Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates, with additional support from MacKenzie Scott and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Challenge seeks to accelerate the pace of progress for more women of all backgrounds to be in positions to make decisions, control resources, and shape policies and perspectives in their homes, workplaces, and communities – because equality can’t wait. Applicants must register online by Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
Accelerating Progress for Women in the U.S.
Inequality runs deep in America. The injustices Black Americans face every day have forced a spotlight on systemic racism in our country. At the same time, COVID-19 has magnified the structural inequities that disproportionately affect women.
While there has been a groundswell of awareness, activism, and energy in recent years to accelerate change, progress is not moving fast enough. Women in the U.S., especially women of color, women living in poverty, and LGBTQ women, are still vastly underrepresented in the places where agendas are set, and decisions are made.
Accelerating progress toward gender equality will require many things, especially strategic capital and stakeholder collaboration. Through this competition, we are looking for innovative ideas that will bring additional capital and energy into one or more key areas that can expand women’s power and influence:
- Dismantling the barriers that hold women back
- Fast tracking women in critical sectors
- Calling society to action
Is your organization a good fit? Use the Organizational Readiness Tool to find out. Then register online by Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Applications are due Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
