- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Melinda Gates and billionaire philanthropist and novelist Mackenzie Bezos are partnering on a $30 million gender equality initiative
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Melinda Gates and billionaire philanthropist and novelist Mackenzie Bezos are partnering on a $30 million gender equality initiative. This initiative focuses on creating solutions for addressing the challenges that women face and expand upon the power and influence of women of all backgrounds.
“The entrenched inequalities that divide America — race, gender, class — will not go away without systems-wide change,” said Gates. “This Challenge is seeking bold ideas to dismantle the status quo and expand power and influence for women of all backgrounds.”
Gates’ venture firm Pivotal Ventures will provide at least two grants of $10 million or more through the “Equality Can’t Wait Challenge.” And the most compelling proposals will be awarded in the summer of 2021. And another $10 million will be divided between the finalists.
This challenge is going to be overseen by Lever for Change. This organization is known for overseeing similar initiatives for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation.
“Closing the gap on gender equality will benefit everyone. History keeps teaching us that when a diversity of voices is represented in decisions, the outcome is better for all,” explained Bezos. “I’m excited that the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge will focus energy and innovation on this vital catalyst for positive change.”
This is not the first time that Bezos partnered with Gates on philanthropic efforts. Bezos signed the Giving Pledge in the spring of 2019, which means she has committed to donating at least half of her approximate $50 billion in assets to charitable causes.
