In May, Melinda French Gates resigned as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and announced that she would commit $1 billion to women’s organizations over the following two years.
On Wednesday, a part of that vision unfolded – French Gates opened Action for Women’s Healtha $250 million nonprofit fund that supports women’s mental and physical health worldwide.
“Women’s health continues to be secondary and impacts the health of our families, our communities and our economies,” said French Gates in a promotional video for the fund. “Fortunately, there are so many amazing organizations around the world working to change that.”
Melinda French Gates. Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Action for Women’s Health will help fund grassroots organizations that address women’s health issues, French Gates said. Each winner receives between 1 million and 5 million dollars and undergo multiple rounds of review before funding is secured. The winners shall be announced at the top of next yr.
Related: Melinda French Gates reveals her next step after leaving the Gates Foundation: “Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you.”
Here’s what the fund is searching for and find out how to apply.
Who should apply?
Applicants must concentrate on and meet women’s mental or physical health needs 4 criteria: Be effective, scalable, equitable and feasible.
For example, impact is measured by the nonprofit organization’s demonstrated contributions. A rating of 1 represents no contributions and an ineffective, impractical approach, while a rating of 5 is achieved through examples of contributions and an approach with proven effectiveness.
A Organization readiness tool is accessible to applicants to evaluate whether or not they meet the necessities. The form addresses criteria reminiscent of who can apply – individuals, nonprofits, LLCs and B-Corps aren’t eligible.
It also asks whether the nonprofit’s focus is on women’s mental or physical health and whether it has not less than two years of audited financial records, amongst other questions.
How to use
Action for Women’s Health is now accepting applications, which have to be submitted by January 10, 2025. Organizations must do that register your intention to use until December 3, 2024.
Related: Melinda French Gates says this mindset hack helped her overcome imposter syndrome