Search Through Educational Access Equity Grants in the U.S.

Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to conscientious corporate citizenship and supports efforts that make a positive difference in the world. Bristol Myers Squibb provides corporate giving support to organizations to help patients and their families, improve healthcare and advance scientific understanding. We also provide support to help build and sustain strong communities where our employees live and work.

Health equity

Bristol Myers Squibb promotes health equity globally and strives to increase access to lifesaving medicines for populations affected by serious diseases and conditions, giving hope and help to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We take an intentional approach to enabling broad access for different patient populations, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, geography, or background.

Corporate Giving

As we work to bring life-saving medicines to patients with serious diseases, we are also committed to improving healthcare, advancing scientific understanding and making the difference in the lives of patients and their families.

What We Support:

• Charitable Donations
• Independent Medical Education
• Corporate Sponsorship Support
• Corporate Membership
• Scholarship Support
• Fellowship Support
• Independent Patient Education

Purpose

At Bristol-Myers Squibb, we are firmly focused on our Mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. We are committed to supporting quality initiatives to make a difference in people’s lives through Corporate Giving.

The purpose of this document is to describe our principles that BMS uses to review requests for Corporate Giving.

Corporate Giving includes funds or in-kind Support (products, assets or services) provided by BMS to eligible third-party organizations for educational, healthcare-related, scientific, community, public policy, patient advocacy or charitable purposes. Some examples are charitable donations to non-profit organizations, support of medical education programs, corporate sponsorships, fellowships, and corporate memberships.

Corporate Giving Principles

BMS provides Corporate Giving in compliance with our Principles of Integrity, applicable laws,

regulations and industry codes of conduct.

• Bristol Myers Squibb provides Corporate Giving in compliance with our Principles of Integrity, applicable laws, regulations, and industry codes of conduct.
• Bristol Myers Squibb provides Corporate Giving to organizations where we do not have control over the activity for which the funding or In-Kind Support will be used.
• Bristol Myers Squibb provides funding only to eligible institutions or organizations. Funding is not provided to individuals or physician groups.
• Bristol Myers Squibb requires that our funding provided to support a request be acknowledged publicly.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Mission

Centene’s mission is to transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this mission. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

About The Foundation

The Change Happens Foundation is dedicated to allocating our resources to charitable activities and programs that are aligned with our pillars and fall within our budgetary constraints. Organizations whose projects do not satisfy our eligibility standards or match to our focus areas are encouraged not to proceed with an LOI. For those seeking foundations with interests aligned to their work, the Foundation Center offers a valuable resource—a searchable database designed to assist nonprofits in identifying potential funding opportunities.

The Change Happens Foundation is dedicated to supporting charitable activities that align with our pillars areas, strictly adhering to the guidelines of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. We are committed to the effective use of our grants, which are monitored through comprehensive financial and performance reporting by our grantees.

Our Pillars

Environmental Science

Systemic Change

Fostering a future where innovation intersects with environmental stewardship, we are committed to strategically investing in forward-thinking programs that catalyze systemic and sustainable solutions. Our dedication lies in addressing and overcoming the critical environmental challenges that confront our planet. Through these targeted investments, we aim not just to contribute, but to set in motion a ripple effect of change, driving progress towards a healthier, more resilient, and greener world for generations to come.

Education

Creating Opportunities

At the heart of our mission is a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a strong focus on early education and STEM learning. We are dedicated to empowering women and underrepresented communities, breaking down barriers to education and access in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the earliest stages of learning. By fostering opportunities that ignite curiosity, fuel aspirations, and open doors, we are laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and innovation. Our investment in these communities is an investment in a future where transformative change is not only envisioned but realized, shaping a society that celebrates diversity, practices equity, and embraces inclusion at every level.

Human Services

Nutrition & Support

Our approach to combatting food insecurity and bolstering community health is rooted in thoughtful and strategic funding initiatives that delve deep into the underlying causes of these pervasive issues. We are unwavering in our commitment to support and scale up programs that do more than just provide – they empower. By ensuring access to wholesome, nutritious food and comprehensive healthcare services, we are actively bridging gaps for those in dire need. Our mission transcends mere assistance; it's about nurturing a robust infrastructure that fosters long-term resilience and well-being, affirming our belief that everyone deserves the fundamental right to health and nutrition.

Democratic Practice 

The Democratic Practice program seeks to strengthen the vitality of democracy in the United States and in global governance. The program’s core ideas—that for democracy to flourish and deliver on its promises, its citizens must be engaged, empowered, and assertive, and institutions of governance must be inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive—provide a frame for the Fund’s Democratic Practice work in the United States and on global challenges.

Democracy in the United States

Democracy in the United States is facing myriad challenges as persistent and deep divisions continue to undermine the nation’s social, economic, and political vitality. The current U.S. political system suffers from outsized influence of money in politics, extreme partisanship, retrenchment of voting rights, issues with outdated and inefficient election administration, and concentrations of power in narrow segments of society not reflective of the larger population. Alternatively, new opportunities for systemic reform are developing and gaining traction. The nation is seeing a resurgence of grassroots political activism, protest, and a democratization of both traditional and social media. Digital resources are fueling different kinds of engagement and activism that are reaching people in entirely new ways. Further, the ability to leverage creative investigative and solution-based journalism and broadly available government and election data to improve both democratic systems and grassroots civic engagement provides exciting opportunities to build a vital and inclusive 21st-century democracy.

The Fund recognizes that the gaps between rich and poor, and white and non-white, are widening, while the diversity of elected officials remains misaligned with the electorate, fundamentally undermining the quality of representative democracy. Exorbitant amounts of private money spent on political campaigns and lobbying by a very small percentage of the electorate profoundly distort the political system. Others without the financial resources to influence public policy are further marginalized, undermining the ability of voters and constituents to hold elected officials accountable and fostering public cynicism and distrust of elected officials and public institutions.

The quality of our political culture continues to deteriorate. Consequently, there are fewer and fewer examples of true bipartisanship and constructive compromise in state and federal legislatures. Additionally, partisan actors, with a goal of achieving partisan supremacy rather than ensuring democratic fairness, exert disproportionate control over voting rights, poll access, and redistricting. Participation in national elections remains below that of most advanced democracies, and turnout for local elections is persistently low. Moreover, fair, efficient, and effective election administration is undermined by inaccurate voter rolls and outdated processes and technology. In addition, eligible voters have been kept from the polls by restrictive voting laws, or worse, by overt voter-suppression efforts.

Meaningful and informed public participation in all phases of democracy in the United States provides the foundation for a truly vibrant democracy. The Fund believes that innovation in traditional grassroots organizing strategies, development of opportunities for underrepresented populations in civic leadership, and effective integration of digital media and communications into civic life are promising ways to improve public participation in governance. Authentic public participation in democracy lays the groundwork for substantive policy reforms that are a true reflection of our representative democracy.

Goal: Advance a Vital and Inclusive Democracy in the United States

In the United States, the Fund supports innovative strategies to strengthen and broaden participation in the practices and institutions of democratic governance, foster greater transparency, accountability, and responsiveness of government institutions, and promote social, economic, and racial justice in our democratic systems.

Strategies:

• Supporting innovations in systems and practices to strengthen equality of representation and disrupt corruptive influences, including money and privileged relationships.
• Increasing opportunities for meaningful citizen participation in democratic systems through election and voting reforms, including improvements in voting rights, election laws, redistricting processes, and election administration.
• Supporting movement-building strategies for systemic reform of democratic institutions to advance economic and racial justice.

The Democratic Practice–U.S. program works to enhance the quality of American democracy through support for high leverage opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels (including New York City as the Fund’s home).

Global Challenges

The dramatic increase in cross-border flows of capital, goods, and people and their values and ideas—“globalization”—is producing deep interdependencies and changes in power relations. It is a defining process of the 21st century, offering both challenges and opportunities.

Public engagement in decision making across all levels of governance must contend nowadays with powerful global actors, forces, and institutions, presenting profound challenges to democracy. Economic interests have largely overshadowed democratic practices, social equity, and environmental concerns in the evolution of global institutions. Powerful international trade and financial institutions remain opaque and exclusive, and the power and reach of multinational corporations often escape public scrutiny or effective regulation. Thus, although the impact of global forces on peoples’ lives is growing, they face enormous impediments to both defend their existing rights and engage to meet new global challenges.

At the same time, globalization has opened up new opportunities for building cross-border, citizen-based coalitions, which are finding innovative ways to frame, address, and resolve global problems. Evolving understandings of planetary limits and the drivers of climate change have given rise to citizen groups pressing for economic and environmental rights. Common experiences of inequality and the erosion of democracy have led to demands for changes in how rules of the global economy are written—and in whose interest. New technologies and ways of organizing undergird citizen networks working across languages, geographies, and cultures. These novel combinations of grassroots, professional, public, private, intergovernmental, and nongovernmental organizations are analyzing global processes, articulating alternatives, and advancing in democratic practice and accountability to address global challenges.

Vision

To promote wellness and access to opportunities so that individuals and communities can thrive.

Grounded in our work in Connecticut and New York, we support visionary leaders and nonprofit organizations that serve historically marginalized populations, help individuals contribute to their communities, and champion advancements and experiences that make it possible for all people to live healthy and joyous lives.

Our Story

The Tow Foundation was established in 1988 by Leonard and Claire Tow as a way to give back to the communities that shaped them.

Leonard and Claire’s three children, Andrew, Emily and Frank, joined the board of directors soon after its inception, and our initial investments were largely guided by the personal passions of the boardroom. With a focus on New York, our earliest grants went to innovative projects in the fields of medical research and higher education.

As our organization evolved, so did our areas of support. Emily Tow was hired as the Foundation’s president and first full-time staff member in 1995. Motivated by the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to thrive, our grantmaking expanded to include nonprofits with a focus on youth justice. As the years went by, the transformative power of theater and performing arts led us to add culture as a core area of interest.

Today, our five primary impact areas are

• Arts and culture,
• Higher education,
• Civic engagement,
• Equity and justice
• Medicine and public health.

What We Fund - Justice Initiatives

We must address the harm caused by unfair systems and work to build new ones grounded in equity and justice. To realize a future in which all people are healthy, safe, and free to lead a fulfilling life, there must be a commitment to racial equity and justice.

We invest in work at the policy-change level to end mass incarceration, mass criminalization, and other harmful systems. We also fund direct service organizations working to support and empower individuals and families who have been impacted by these systems.

• Advocacy, organizing, and coalition-building, led by directly impacted leaders
• Initiatives that affirm the humanity and dignity of people who are incarcerated and remove barriers to their success
• Opportunities, care, and resources for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system
• Cross-disciplinary, intersectional approaches to achieving equity and justice

Pursuing Health for All

The Gilead Foundation works to create a thriving health ecosystem with health prosperity for all. The inequities in our communities, classrooms and workplaces create lifelong barriers that prevent access to healthy, fulfilling lives. We take a holistic approach to mitigate the root causes of these inequities and create systems of support.

Pillars of Giving

Through the Gilead Foundation’s three giving pillars, we're working at all levels of impact, starting with Gilead’s generous employees and branching out to our communities and society as a whole.

Giving Together Program

Our employees' passions and willingness to help those in need is the foundation of our commitment to serving others. Through our internal Giving Together program, we encourage a culture of giving by matching employee contributions to organizations they care about while supporting employee volunteerism. Building Community Donations

Together with local community partners, our Building Community Donations program addresses social determinants of health. We build healthy communities by supporting local organizations focused on Science and Innovation, Access and Health Equity, and People and Culture. Learn more.

Creating Possible Fund

The Creating Possible Fund is our signature program where we work to address social determinants of health, with an emphasis on accelerating education equity. By mobilizing significant, multi-year funding, the Creating Possible Fund provides grantees the resources necessary to build capacity so they can implement critical programming with greater impact and longevity. Learn more.

What We Fund

We support community-informed, data-driven programs that strengthen healthcare infrastructures and provide education and financial support to the most vulnerable communities around the world. Our corporate giving programs focus support where the need is greatest and we prioritize applications that demonstrate a strong capability to deliver the specific outcomes the grant would support.

We welcome funding requests for innovative, high-impact projects that relate to at least one of our core therapeutic areas:

• HIV
• Liver disease
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis D
  • Primary biliary cholangitis
• Oncology
  • Hematology
  • Solid tumors
• Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Types of Support

Patient Community Support:

We strive to advance health equity, diversity in clinical trials and access to medicines to reduce disparities. We also support the local communities in which we operate.

• Examples of Patient Community Support projects Gilead has funded include:
  • Events or resources to educate patients about prevention and care options, such as:
    • Presentations
    • Web-based resources
    • Printed materials
    • Testing and screening initiatives
• The types of Patient Community Support organizations Gilead has funded include:
  • Patient advocacy and support groups
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Nonprofit service organizations
  • Professional associations
  • Academic medical centers and universities

Corporate Sponsorships:

Many individuals face barriers to accessing healthcare due to age, disability, ethnicity or race, location, gender, gender identity or socioeconomic status.

To help ensure all people have the opportunity to get the best possible care – regardless of background – Gilead sponsors select events or conferences that raise awareness and support organizations working in our therapeutic areas of focus.

Events Gilead has sponsored include:

• Walks/runs
• Awards dinners
• Fundraising galas
• Community conferences

Gilead North America Grants

We are inspired by the work that our grantees do every day to improve access and eliminate barriers to healthcare while advancing education among patients and healthcare professionals. We support projects in North America across all our therapeutic areas — HIV, liver diseases, oncology and inflammatory and respiratory diseases.

Funding Priorities

• HIV:
  • While advances in medical research help millions of people living with HIV have longer, more fulfilling lives today, HIV continues to have a devastating impact, especially on underserved communities and in populations who lack access to medical care and are impacted by stigma and discrimination. We support organizations working to help individuals learn their HIV status and get the care they need. We also support organizations that aim to solve the challenges of tomorrow, including how to:
    • Understand the impact HIV has on an aging population
    • Ensure continuity and retention in care
    • Spark appreciation for innovative thinking in HIV treatment
    • Identify and create a new generation of advocates
• HIV Cure:
  • We work to address the HIV epidemic by discovering transformative and life-saving medicines, developing simplified treatment regimens that increase efficacy, expanding access to treatment for those who need it most and building communities among people affected by HIV and AIDS. Continuing on this commitment, we partner with and support institutions, community groups and organizations that are engaged in HIV cure activities through grant funding.
• HIV Prevention:
  • We support the efforts of community-based organizations, public health entities and similar nonprofit organizations to educate their constituents about comprehensive HIV prevention, including the role of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Specifically, we support programs designed to:
    • Provide comprehensive education on the range of prevention options and strategies available
    • Ensure biomedical prevention plans, such as PrEP, are implemented safely and effectively in accordance with recommended guidelines
    • Engage communities and individuals at highest risk for HIV infection in prevention efforts
• Liver Disease:
  • Hepatitis C disproportionately affects people who use drugs and other at-risk populations and there remain gaps in access to testing and care. We are working to change this by providing funding for organizations that:
    • Raise awareness and provide education
    • Increase treatment capacity and sustainability
    • Move individuals down the care pathway from screening to cure
    • Eliminate barriers to testing, care and treatment
• Oncology: Cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges we face. We support organizations focused on health equity in order to: 
  • Enable people affected by cancer and their caregivers to make informed health decisions
  • Educate healthcare providers on identification, screening and diagnosis
  • Improve access to prevention and treatment by overcoming barriers to care
• Inflammatory and Respiratory Diseases: Inflammatory and respiratory diseases have a substantial impact on people of every age, gender, ethnic group and economic class. We fund organizations that work in this therapeutic area to:
  • Improve individuals’ health literacy, enabling them to make informed health decisions
  • Educate healthcare providers on identification, screening and diagnosis
  • Improve access to treatment by overcoming financial and other obstacles

Funding

Gilead doesn’t place a limit on how much grantees can apply for. We want you to request the level of funding that you’ll need to make your project a success.

Become a Partner

At the core of our model are our partnerships with courageous, dynamic organizations that are improving the lives of children and youth in the heart of their own communities.

We eagerly look for new groups and individuals to partner with across the globe, based on our regional strategies, and particularly when we launch and expand thematic and regional initiatives. Please explore information about our regional strategies and initiatives in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Eurasia, and Asia.

Global Fund for Children raises all the funds that we use to invest in community-based organizations around the world. We know that organizations spend precious time preparing proposals for prospective funders. We appreciate there are many worthy causes and changemakers that we will not be able to support. As such, we do not ask organizations to submit proposals. We visit organizations in person and build relationships, getting to know possible new partners when we have raised funds. As a first step, we maintain a database of organizations we can get to know if we have just the right opportunity.

Focus Areas

Together with our partners, we are building a future where all young people enjoy equal resources and opportunities in society and can live to their full potential.

Our work advances the rights of children and youth across four focus areas and five regions. We have a deep commitment to courageous organizations that support young people facing poverty, injustice, and discrimination.

We support grassroots organizations that are not afraid to tackle the root causes of poverty with innovative, local solutions. Most offer holistic care to comprehensively address the needs of each child. Many become regional and national leaders in children’s rights—raising awareness, influencing policy, and ultimately impacting thousands of children and youth beyond their doors.

Education

Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream. We work closely with our partners to make sure children across the world can learn, play, and go to school. We are committed to helping every child reach their potential through equal access to quality education.

Gender justice

GFC and our partners promote gender equity, advance girls’ education, inspire healthy masculinities, support the rights of LGBTQ+ youth, and ensure that young people live free from gender-based violence and exploitation.

Safety and wellbeing

We are committed to ending violence and exploitation of children, to helping young survivors rebuild their lives, and to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of every child and young person.

Climate resilience

Young people are mobilizing to address climate change. They are building resilience in their communities, educating their families and communities, advocating for policy changes, and stewarding the environment. We work with young leaders and youth-led organizations finding real solutions for both people and the planet.

Youth power

Young people are achieving incredible things - creating change in the present and shaping the future. We help young people become leaders and changemakers, making sure they have the opportunities, skills, and confidence to tackle the issues central to their lives and their communities.

Solidarity in emergencies

In times of crisis, we are committed to supporting our partners around the world as they respond in their communities. From natural disasters to conflict or health emergencies, our local partners are well-positioned to address emerging challenges. GFC provides emergency grants, technical support, and wellbeing solidarity to our partners as they navigate emergencies impacting their organizations and their communities.

Impact and Learning

Global Fund for Children funds community-based organizations and works closely with them to strengthen their capacity to create change. Our primary impact is on the organizations we support, and by extension, the impact they create with and for children and young people, in their communities.

Every organization has its unique aspirations and approaches, so our work with each organization is unique, tailored, and made possible by trust and understanding of their unique contexts.

We capture global quantitative indicators to capture how organizations change over time, but qualitative stories of change are critical to understanding the impact of GFC’s work. Our impact and learning approach is rooted in feedback, participatory learning reviews, and a commitment to capture only the information GFC and our partners will actually use to deepen our learning and to become more effective in our closely collaborative work.

We invest in educational projects that improve health by advancing the education and training of future health professionals.

Priorities

We aim to prepare future health professionals to meet the needs of the 21st century with a population that is the most diverse in U.S. history and who may live longer than any previous generation. We are focusing on the learning environments where our future health professionals train so that they learn not only prevention and the social determinants of health but are well prepared to care for people when they are ill. This means learning the scientific basis of disease and taking advantage of the discoveries and breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment so that they make wise choices while providing compassionate care.

At the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, we foster innovation in clinical learning environments by investing in three areas:

Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

We must ensure that everyone who receives care and those who learn, teach, and work in clinical environments are treated equitably. Systemic inequities that reduce career satisfaction and limit advancement opportunities for health professionals from historically underrepresented communities, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, members of some religious groups, and individuals from low-income households need solutions.

Increasing Collaboration Among Future Health Professionals

Students, residents, and graduate students historically learn and train as highly skilled, but largely autonomous, professionals. This “siloed” approach is obsolete and is being replaced by environments where health professionals and their learners work together as a high functioning team. This means promoting collaboration among health care providers, such as nurses, social workers, physicians pharmacists, and others so that learners in these environments are trained to provide the highest quality patient care as members of a collaborative team. Public health leaders play a critical role in promoting community health and preventing disease and are vital collaborators with the health care team.

Preparing Future Health Professionals to Navigate Ethical Dilemmas

To succeed today, health professionals need more than clinical skill. They must also be prepared to navigate the complex ethical dilemmas that arise when confronting barriers that conflict with professional ideals and aspirations. Those teaching in learning environments cannot anticipate every scenario, but they can equip future health professionals with essential tools for navigating dilemmas that arise when managing issues of patient access, end of life, interactions with other health professionals and many other complex situations.

President’s Grants

Grant applications are accepted at any time.

Our Mission

The Foundation's primary commitment is to improving the overall quality of life for economically and/or educationally disadvantaged individuals and families who manifest a genuine desire to help themselves. The Foundation also supports efforts designed to strengthen communities. Priority is given to those charitable organizations and institutions with an established record of increasing economic and educational opportunities in both low-income, inner-city neighborhoods, as well as in rural areas.

The Foundation provides support in a variety of areas, including: low-income housing, affordable day care, after-school programs, drug rehabilitation clinics, juvenile intervention (pre-incarceration) counseling, job-training, micro-loans to small, family owned businesses in Central and South America, and Africa, rural land/open space preservation, and college scholarship support to exceptional public high school students.

Sachs Family Foundation Program Related Investments (PRIs)

Equity investments in and/or loans to charitable organizations and institutions, where the activity engaged in/operations promise a substantial likelihood that the funding will be used effectively for charitable purposes, as well as initiate or expand a self-sustaining activity or operation.

Funding Guidelines

The Foundation's most important guiding principle is that it seeks to engage in philanthropic activities and to fund charitable organizations and institutions that have demonstrated they are self-sustaining, or clearly have the potential to become self-sustaining, or that focus on self-sustaining operations and activities.

Accordingly, the Foundation's primary focus is dedicated to strengthening the economic base of low income, disadvantaged communities, primarily within the U.S., but also in developing countries. The Foundation has a keen interest in supporting charitable organizations and institutions that have developed clear and effective economic development programs. To this end, the Foundation provides financial support, usually in the form of low interest rate loans known as Program Related Investments ("PRI's"), to a variety of 501c3 tax exempt charitable organizations and institutions.

In addition to its PRI program funding, the Foundation also makes charitable grants in the areas of education, health and housing. The Foundation has made grants (in the form of merit-based college scholarships) to low-income San Francisco Bay Area students, as well as to performance arts programs providing economical access to lower income individuals and families. The Foundation will also consider grants outside of its established guidelines, provided it can be demonstrated that the grant will be of significant assistance at a critical time in the development of an idea or project that has the clear potential to become self-sustaining/self-supporting.

Once the applicant has determined that its funding request falls within the Foundation’s established guidelines, it may submit a proposal/application for either a PRI or grant.

Charitable Donations

Sanofi provides donations to non-profit organizations that are aligned with our corporate social responsibility priorities: Health Equity, STEM Education Equity, and Local Communities (programs focusing on social determinants of health).

Everyone deserves equal opportunity to thrive...to be healthy...to be an innovator...to be part of a flourishing community. We aren't there yet. More needs to be done so all people, wherever they are in the world, have the same access to quality healthcare.

Sanofi purposefully partners with our patients and communities to learn where gaps exist and how we can develop sustainable solutions. Listening is a critical part of our process so we can focus investments and implement programs rooted in local cultures and populations where there is the greatest need.

• We collaborate for collective impact.
• We mentor and educate our next generation of talent to answer the medical challenges of tomorrow.
• We foster an inclusive community of purpose-driven employees who understand our responsibility is not just about driving innovation to improve health -- it goes deeper than that.

Our responsibility is to support society's fundamental right to health by contributing to healthcare access for the underserved, addressing environmental changes, and living by our code of ethics, so everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Specialty Care, General Medicines, and Vaccines

 Areas of interest include:

• Cardiovascular (Atrial Fibrillation)
• Community Relations (Bridgewater, NJ, Cambridge, MA, and Swiftwater, PA areas)
• Dermatology
• Diabetes
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Rare blood disorders
• Rare genetic diseases
• Researchers and Scientists
• Respiratory
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Transplant
• Vaccines
• Other Immunology

STEM Higher Education Program

The Foundation believes that increases in human welfare are largely driven by increases in our understanding and mastery of the forces of nature and society. The health of the scientific enterprise is thus an issue of fundamental concern to us. This includes the quality of scientific training and inquiry, the structure of scientific careers, the diversity of the scientific workforce, the strength of scientific educational institutions, and the openness and accessibility of scientific education and training to all.

Priorities

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the central tenets of our program. As articulated in Sloan’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, upholding these tenets is a matter of fundamental justice and our path to ensuring that the best science is done.

When educational settings are diverse, they comprise individuals with a variety of life experiences, whether they be racial, ethnic, economic, cultural, religious, geographic, or otherwise.

Equity and equity-mindedness is found in institutions and individuals who understand that while talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not, and thus seek to transform organizational practices, policies, and cultures in order to provide all individuals with the tools, resources, and supports needed to succeed at the highest levels.

Inclusion ensures that everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or held identities, feel belonging in a given environment, whether that be a classroom, laboratory, academic department, or entire discipline.

Six equally important strategic priorities guide our grantmaking. In particular, we seek to:

• Invest in widening pathways to STEM graduate education. The pathway to STEM graduate education is broken for far too many students given systemic barriers faced by individuals and institutions. Among other investments, we seek to support educational pathways from Minority Serving Institutions to master’s and doctoral STEM programs.
• Empower universities to transform graduate education. Increasing diversity is crucial but not enough. Institutions and their STEM departments must also pursue new and creative ways of ensuring inclusive environments and equitable outcomes for their students. Through the Foundation’s University Centers for Exemplary Mentoring and Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership, we seek to empower STEM departmental leadership, faculty, and staff in doing just that.
• Support innovative efforts to increase diversity in the STEM professoriate. Widening the pathway to and through graduate education requires a diverse faculty body, as does the ability of the STEM enterprise to truly innovate. We are interested in investing in efforts by institutions and organizations that seek to transform the culture and climate of STEM departments and disciplines such that more individuals are attracted to the professoriate and supported once there.
• Pursue systemic change. For too long, systemic change efforts have gone underinvested in and understudied, resulting in stagnant progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM disciplines. It’s not enough to promote individual advancement without also seeking to improve the capacity of STEM environments to attend to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their policies and practices, and in the standards and norms carried out by their community members. We seek to empower and equip institutions seeking this kind of change and to support research on how such change happens.
• Examine our own practices. Any grantmaking process also necessitates looking inward at one’s own practices. We commit to regularly revisiting and evaluating how we do things in order to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion at every stage of the grantmaking process – from the proposals we solicit to the reviewers we appoint.
• Coordinate and collaborate with others. We recognize that any one organization has a finite amount of dollars and finite amount of influence. We seek to engage private foundations, federal agencies, and corporate funders in enabling systemic change in STEM higher education and the field at large. This includes internal collaboration at Sloan, working alongside and in support of our colleagues in advancing their own DEI agendas.

Who We Are

Based in Portland, Oregon and created in 2019 by Dr. Ron Naito, the Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation continues his legacy of healing by supporting nonprofit organizations that strengthen, protect, and transform our communities and our planet.

Our grants support organizations working all over the world to mitigate the climate crisis, reduce health disparities, and build communities that are socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. We also support Oregon-based arts and education initiatives, particularly those focused on under-resourced communities.

Our grants are trust-based. Because we respect the expertise of our nonprofit partners and understand that they know best how to spend their funds, all of our grants are unrestricted.

Current Funding Trends

• Under-represented areas:
  • If you work in these areas and are eligible within our funding priorities and restrictions, please consider applying.
    • Nonprofits that work internationally or domestically outside of Oregon, including regional and national organizations
    • Climate crisis mitigation, especially aggressive efforts to curtail or prevent new greenhouse gas emissions
    • International long-term health equity initiatives and health equity initiatives addressing aging and supporting elders
    • Systemic initiatives and advocacy/policy work in any of our funding priorities
• Over-represented areas:
  • We value these types of work and still seek applications from these categories, but applicants may find these categories slightly more competitive if current trends continue.
    • Arts initiatives
    • Oregon frontline nonprofits across all sectors
    • Frontline services, especially organizations supporting people with mental health or substance use needs and organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence

Funding Area: Sustainable Communities

In Sustainable Communities, we seek to fund organizations that address pressing social issues and support equitable models of infrastructure so that communities can thrive socially, environmentally, and economically.

Sustainable Communities grants often intersect with our Climate and/or Health Equity funding areas, incorporating social justice advocacy, economic initiatives, climate adaptation, and other human rights and environmental justice initiatives that impact health outcomes, lead to healing, and increase communities’ capacity to thrive.

This includes (but isn’t limited to):

• Social justice, civil rights, and anti-hate initiatives that build power, sovereignty, community, and resources for people whose wellness and success are threatened by systemic prejudice or injustice.
• Triple-bottom-line initiatives that help historically-marginalized communities gain access to sustainable economic power and lasting health benefits.
• Environmental justice work that impacts the health and success of historically marginalized communities, and that help communities adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.

All of these are united by healing — of prejudice and hate, of inequities, and of the many social, economic, and environmental factors that adversely impact people’s health and well-being.

Funding Areas

There is urgent need in our world for healing: healing our planet, healing our communities, and healing ourselves, in body, mind and spirit. Our grants focus on four key areas of healing. 

• Climate
• Health Equity
• Oregon Arts & Culture
• Sustainable Communities

Current Funding Trends

Under-represented areas:

• Nonprofits that work internationally or domestically outside of Oregon, including regional and national organizations
• Climate crisis mitigation, especially aggressive efforts to curtail or prevent new greenhouse gas emissions
• International long-term health equity initiatives
• Health equity initiatives addressing aging and supporting elders
• Systemic initiatives and advocacy/policy work in any of our funding priorities 
• If you work in these areas and are eligible within our funding priorities and restrictions, please consider applying.

Over-represented areas:

• Arts initiatives
• Oregon frontline nonprofits across all sectors
• Frontline services, especially organizations supporting people with mental health or substance use needs and organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence

We value these types of work and still seek applications from these categories, but applicants may find these categories slightly more competitive if current trends continue.

Focus Areas

Through our Catalyze Fund, Pillars invests in a vibrant network of Muslim leaders who are developing thoughtful, multidisciplinary approaches to complex challenges of inequity and injustice and, in doing so, catalyze just public policy and social change. For this RFP, we are searching for Muslim-centered, justice-focused organizations whose missions and programs fall within one of the following three focus areas: 

Reimagining Public Safety

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, schools, places of worship, workplaces, and beyond. Too often, our communities experience racial and religious profiling and targeted policing in these spaces, jeopardizing our safety in our own communities. As a society, we must divest from harmful practices and invest in services and programs that promote individual and collective well-being. At Pillars, we support Muslim leaders and organizations who are working to end the unjust criminalization of our communities and who are promoting community-driven solutions that protect us all. Grantee partners reimagining public safety are organizing around mass surveillance, racial and religious profiling, immigrant detention and deportation, promoting prisoners' rights, and money bond/bail. 

Promoting Mental Health and Wellness

Access to adequate health care—including mental health care—is a basic human right. Yet barriers to access prevent Muslims from receiving the mental health support they need, even as the demand for it grows. We need to build an infrastructure that reimagines what healing and holistic care can look like for our communities. At Pillars, we support the promotion of healthy communities and spiritually and culturally relevant mental health resources designed with Muslims in mind. Grantee partners promoting mental health and wellness are organizing around mental health awareness and education; public events and campaigns; coalition building; mental health research; spiritual abuse; and suicide prevention. 

Building Civic Power

A true democracy demands transparency and fully informed, engaged citizens. However, entrenched inequality in the United States has kept many communities out of critical decision-making processes that have real-life consequences. We need to create more opportunities for full participation at all levels of civic life and to build the power necessary to reshape systems for the greater good. At Pillars, we support Muslim leaders who are organizing communities, creating timely and relevant civic media, training potential candidates, mobilizing voters, ad demographic and issue area research, and ultimately transforming our democracy to one that serves us all.

If you have any questions or concerns, check out our FAQ page. 

The Akamai Foundation

The Akamai Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of technology innovators by supporting STEM education, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence in mathematics in grades K-12. Grants focus on equal access to quality STEM education with grants supporting programs designed to attract more diversity to the technology industry. In addition, the Akamai Foundation provides disaster resilience, relief and humanitarian aid globally; and enables volunteerism by connecting employees to the communities in which Akamai operates.

Vision and Mission

Excellence in mathematics and innovation has always been and continues to be at the heart of Akamai’s mission. The Akamai Foundation promotes mathematics education and excellence among the next generation of technology innovators.

Through the Foundation and the programs that we partner with, we believe we will be able to help teach kids that math can be magical and fun. We hope our efforts will inspire young people to embrace math — and prepare for success in college and in their professional lives.

The Akamai Foundation is fueled by our belief in the wonderful possibilities for the future and grounded in the knowledge that our resources will be put to careful and thoughtful use.

Early Learner STEM Education Grant

The Akamai Foundation is pleased to launch the 2025 Early Learner STEM Education grant program. In addition to our core focus on STEM learning, we aim to help global education programs navigate the pandemic's economic impact and address digital inclusion gaps for young learners (pre-college students ages 5-19).

All applicants are required to provide a comprehensive plan outlining their STEM education program goals. This should include a digital inclusion strategy to address and eliminate barriers to access and use of technology in learning, especially for the most disadvantaged. Digital inclusion strategy examples include but are not limited to:

• Internet-enabled Device Access
• Digital Safety, Security & Citizenship Training (Digital Literacy training)
• Quality Technical Support
• Partnership with digital inclusion practitioners and advocates
• Digital content designed to encourage independent learning, participation, and collaboration
• Mental health support for online learners
• Development and implementation of new digital equity and inclusion strategies

Our Purpose

To Boldly Grow the Good in business and life drives our commitment to make a positive societal impact in everything we do.

Strong communities and the organizations supporting them are essential for building a thriving economy, ensuring a sustainable future, and fostering an inclusive society.

Whether we’re giving to community organizations across North America, investing in partnerships to address societal needs, or supporting the giving and volunteer activities of our 55,000 employees, we pride ourselves on our 200-year-plus legacy of growing the good in the communities we serve.

Our Giving Priorities

BMO’s employee and community giving aims to support programs and initiatives in the following areas:

• Community and economic resilience:
  • including support for financial literacy, skills development, social services, education,  health equity and accessible arts and cultural programming.
• Environmental resilience: 
  • including conservation efforts, alternative energy projects in low income neighbourhoods, public awareness and education campaigns and innovative new research efforts.

About Us

As a leading pharmaceutical company in the United States, we focus our innovation on some of the most devastating diseases and the most complex medical challenges of our time, across six therapeutic areas:

• Cardiovascular & Metabolism
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Therapeutic Giving

Janssen is interested in funding programs and initiatives that improve patient access to treatment and services, advance health equity and strengthen frontline health workforces within the therapeutic areas noted.

Across therapeutic areas, we support disease awareness efforts, patient empowerment and advocacy, and linkages to care. Our preference is in support of programs focused on health system improvement with measurable outcomes over fundraising activities.

Neuroscience

Disease Areas

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder

Areas of Interest

• Recovery-focused programs, including initiatives on quality of life, coping, housing, social isolation, employment, and wellness
• Early intervention programs
• Programs supporting access, continuity of care, and relapse prevention
• Programs addressing healthcare disparities and the stigma associated with mental illness
• Crisis intervention programs
• Education and programs addressing mental health and the criminal justice system
• Initiatives may be for patients, caregivers/families, peers, policy makers, community leaders, or the broader community

Challenge Overview

Climate change is an omnipresent issue with the hottest recorded year, continuous extreme weather, and long-term impacts that will be determined by near-term choices. While driven by emissions from energy, industry, and agriculture in a concentrated set of economies, climate change disproportionately impacts the up to 3.6 billion people living in contexts that are highly vulnerable to impacts including extreme heat, flooding, and droughts. The climate crisis requires dramatic action, including rapid technology deployment alongside bold policies, financial commitments from governments, private capital, and philanthropy, and global market shifts.

Technology and innovation have an important role to play in contending with the effects of climate change. Technology exists to replace or mitigate all major areas of current emissions but often has minimal adoption due to high costs, a lack of engagement with communities, and the need for design at scale. Innovation can offer new business models, decreased costs, and approaches to scaling impact alongside or in place of new technologies that can help meet mitigation and adaptation goals at the speed of the crisis.

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions that leverage technology to address the causes and impacts of the climate crisis. While we are excited to select and support innovators across any climate area, we have a particular interest in solutions that: 

• Adapt cities to more extreme weather, including through climate-smart buildings, incorporating climate risk in infrastructure planning, and restoring regional ecosystems.
• Enable a low-carbon and nutritious global food system, across large and small-scale producers plus supply chains that reduce food loss.
• Strengthen coastal and marine ecosystems and communities through the broader blue economy, including fisheries, clean energy, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program

Black and Latine communities in the US are structurally the most vulnerable to climate-fueled hazards and the least likely to have access to healthy and affordable food. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we encourage those working to address racial disparities in climate action across US communities to apply for the Challenge and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program.

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The Seeding The Future Food Systems Prize

The Seeding the Future Food Systems Prize is open to high impact innovations focusing on transforming food systems to be more sustainable, and to enable equitable access to safe and nutritious food that is affordable and trusted. Solutions benefitting underserved communities, countries or regions are encouraged to apply. Up to $150,000 will be awarded to two or more high-impact solutions selected for any of Solve’s 2025 Global Challenges. This prize is supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that seeds and supports innovative solutions to help improve the global food system.

The E Ink Innovation Prize

The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that currently utilize or propose to utilize ePaper materials, technology, or displays to address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, including topics such as architecture, education, or intercultural understanding. The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams selected for any of the 2025 Global Challenges or Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the 2025 Global Challenges.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the 2025 Global Learning Challenge, the 2025 Global Climate Challenge, and the 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of the future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities. Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams across all 2025 Global Challenges or Solve's portfolio of alumni teams. Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented to address workforce development challenges in Boston, MA and New York, NY that also have scaling potential to other geographies.

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize supports groundbreaking solutions that leverage data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical global social challenges. Sponsored by Crescent Enterprises - a diversified conglomerate spanning industries such as ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage, life sciences and business aviation - the prize reflects the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful global impact.

Up to $100,000 will be awarded to as many as four Solver teams addressing the 2025 Global Challenges or selected from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams. This prize aims to recognise and accelerate the growth of transformative solutions, driving positive change for a better future.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team.

The Community Innovation Prize

The Community Innovation Prize is open to innovative solutions for communities by communities. Up to $200,000, as well as custom workshops addressing innovator needs will be awarded to up to four Solver teams who are current or past Solvers across Solve's US Equity portfolio. Preference will be given to innovator teams based in or implementing/planning to implement in Chicago, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Houston, New York City, and/or Philadelphia in the areas of Health, Economic Prosperity, Climate, or Indigenous Communities.

Challenge Overview

Peace and stability are baseline conditions for economic prosperity and a thriving society, and both are at risk with escalating conflicts and economic shocks. Instability and conflict can severely erode economic prospects, reverse years of development gains, and exacerbate vulnerabilities. Poverty and lack of quality jobs contribute to conflict. With 114 million people forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and climate-related disasters, two billion workers worldwide in informal, precarious jobs, and disruptions from AI and other tech, the stakes are high.

Technology and innovation can be powerful tools to promote peace and prosperity. Social media has increased misinformation and polarization, but when well-designed, it also improved cohesion and civic participation and reduced the odds of violent conflict. Similarly, while technology can lead to more precarity, it can also facilitate more inclusive financial systems, new job opportunities, and more resilience. Ethically designing and implementing technology is a key component of building and maintaining more peaceful communities and inclusive economies. 

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions leveraging technology to increase peace and prosperity. Our focus centers on solutions that: 

• Promote and sustain peace by increasing community dialogue, civic participation, reconciliation, and justice efforts; strengthening cyber security, and monitoring or preventing violence, misinformation, and polarization.
• Foster financial and digital inclusion by supporting access to credit, digital identity tools, and insurance while securing privacy and personal data.
• Generate new economic opportunities and buffer against economic shocks for workers, including good job creation, workforce development, and inclusive and attainable asset ownership.

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program

Systemic inequities and institutional failures contribute to Black and Brown families in the US owning just 24 cents for every $1 of white family wealth. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we encourage those from the US working to address these disparities to apply for the Challenge and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program.

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The Seeding The Future Food Systems Prize

The Seeding the Future Food Systems Prize is open to high impact innovations focusing on transforming food systems to be more sustainable, and to enable equitable access to safe and nutritious food that is affordable and trusted. Solutions benefitting underserved communities, countries or regions are encouraged to apply. Up to $150,000 will be awarded to two or more high-impact solutions selected for any of Solve’s 2025 Global Challenges. This prize is supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that seeds and supports innovative solutions to help improve the global food system.

The E Ink Innovation Prize

The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that currently utilize or propose to utilize ePaper materials, technology, or displays to address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, including topics such as architecture, education, or intercultural understanding. The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams selected for any of the 2025 Global Challenges or Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the 2025 Global Challenges.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the 2025 Global Learning Challenge, the 2025 Global Climate Challenge, and the 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of the future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities. Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams across all 2025 Global Challenges or Solve's portfolio of alumni teams. Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented to address workforce development challenges in Boston, MA and New York, NY that also have scaling potential to other geographies.

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize supports groundbreaking solutions that leverage data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical global social challenges. Sponsored by Crescent Enterprises - a diversified conglomerate spanning industries such as ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage, life sciences and business aviation - the prize reflects the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful global impact.

Up to $100,000 will be awarded to as many as four Solver teams addressing the 2025 Global Challenges or selected from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams. This prize aims to recognise and accelerate the growth of transformative solutions, driving positive change for a better future.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team.

The Community Innovation Prize

The Community Innovation Prize is open to innovative solutions for communities by communities. Up to $200,000, as well as custom workshops addressing innovator needs will be awarded to up to four Solver teams who are current or past Solvers across Solve's US Equity portfolio. Preference will be given to innovator teams based in or implementing/planning to implement in Chicago, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Houston, New York City, and/or Philadelphia in the areas of Health, Economic Prosperity, Climate, or Indigenous Communities.

Challenge Overview

The world faces persistent gaps in learning and educational opportunities. Globally, 250 million children are not in school, and hundreds of millions are in classrooms that lack adequate access to learning materials or disability-adapted infrastructure. In addition, the skills taught—in school or via other informal pathways—may not allow people to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Technology in education works best when centered on the needs of communities and learners, and when designed to complement rather than replace human interaction. In doing so, it can offer new assistive tools, help cross language barriers, and support educators in creating more adaptive and inclusive learning opportunities. High-impact ideas can use technology for efficient network and scale, even as the end goal remains learner success.  

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions leveraging technology to address equity gaps in learning. While we are excited to select and support innovators across any learning area, we have a particular interest in solutions that: 

• Ensure that all children are learning in good educational environments, particularly those affected by poverty or displacement.
• Use inclusive design to ensure engagement and better outcomes for learners with disabilities and neurodivergent learners, while benefiting all learners.
• Provide the skills that people need to thrive in both their community and a complex world, including social-emotional competencies, problem-solving, and literacy around new technologies such as AI.

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program

Pre-pandemic, closing the learning gaps between Black, Latine, and white students in the US was estimated to take 60 to 160 years. The pandemic has widened racial gaps, and new technology can address - or exacerbate - biases. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we encourage those working to address racial disparities in US communities to apply for the Challenge and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators Program.and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program.

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the Global Learning Challenge, the Global Climate Challenge, and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The GSR Foundation Prize

GSR Foundation will award a prize to solutions that use technology in an innovative way to address pressing issues in their communities, which have the potential to scale globally. Preference will be given to solutions that remove barriers to financial inclusion, and that place a strong emphasis on learning. The prize is funded by the GSR Foundation, an independent charity founded by GSR, a leading cryptocurrency trading firm. The Foundation seeks to advance education, promote equality of opportunity, and contribute to a sustainable world, emphasizing blockchain and innovative technology-powered solutions. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve's Global Challenges.

Morgridge Family Foundation AI Innovation Prize

Solutions that use AI to boldly spark change through innovation, disruption, and transformation are eligible for the Morgridge Family Foundation AI Innovation Prize. The Morgridge Family Foundation invests in leaders and organizations who are reimagining solutions to some of today's biggest challenges. Up to $50,000 will be granted across up to two Solver teams from Solve’s Global Challenges or from Solve's portfolio of Solver teams.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the Global Challenges.

Community Connect Program

What is the Community Connect Grants Program?

The purpose of the Community Connect Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide, on a “community -oriented connectivity” basis, broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety benefits. 

Program Benefits

The Community Connect Program helps rural communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety, and community development.

Rural Development Key Priorities:

The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities (more details available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/​priority-points):

• Creating More and Better Markets.
  • Assisting rural communities to recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
• Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity.
  • Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
• Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice.
  • Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities

About Us

As a leading pharmaceutical company in the United States, we focus our innovation on some of the most devastating diseases and the most complex medical challenges of our time, across six therapeutic areas:

• Cardiovascular & Metabolism
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Therapeutic Giving

Janssen is interested in funding programs and initiatives that improve patient access to treatment and services, advance health equity and strengthen frontline health workforces within the therapeutic areas noted.

Across therapeutic areas, we support disease awareness efforts, patient empowerment and advocacy, and linkages to care. Our preference is in support of programs focused on health system improvement with measurable outcomes over fundraising activities.

Neuroscience

Disease Areas

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder

Areas of Interest

• Recovery-focused programs, including initiatives on quality of life, coping, housing, social isolation, employment, and wellness
• Early intervention programs
• Programs supporting access, continuity of care, and relapse prevention
• Programs addressing healthcare disparities and the stigma associated with mental illness
• Crisis intervention programs
• Education and programs addressing mental health and the criminal justice system
• Initiatives may be for patients, caregivers/families, peers, policy makers, community leaders, or the broader community

Community Solutions Challenge 

The Community Solutions Challenge (CSC), launched in 2021, works to advance health equity through the support of community-based nonprofit programming that prioritize the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of historically excluded and disenfranchised populations. To date, CSC has provided more than $2.6 million to over 100 local nonprofit programs working to address health inequities and advance opportunities in STEM among underserved communities.

Program Focus: Community-based programs must cover one of the following areas:

Nutrition

Address nutrition as a social determinant of health, including reducing food insecurity and providing comprehensive nutritional education to improve health outcomes.

Healthcare Access

Improve access to quality healthcare by addressing barriers, including health education, access to preventive screenings, and transportation services.

Lung Health

Improve lung health and achieve improved health outcomes for those impacted by asthma, COPD and lung cancer

About Us

As a leading pharmaceutical company in the United States, we focus our innovation on some of the most devastating diseases and the most complex medical challenges of our time, across six therapeutic areas:

• Cardiovascular & Metabolism
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Therapeutic Giving

Janssen is interested in funding programs and initiatives that improve patient access to treatment and services, advance health equity and strengthen frontline health workforces within the therapeutic areas noted.

Across therapeutic areas, we support disease awareness efforts, patient empowerment and advocacy, and linkages to care. Our preference is in support of programs focused on health system improvement with measurable outcomes over fundraising activities.

Oncology

Disease Areas

• Amyloidosis
• Leukemia & Lymphoma:
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL),
  • Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM),
  • Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease (cGVHD)
• Lung Cancer
• Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
• Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
• Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma
• Urothelial/Bladder Cancer

Areas of Interest

• Education of patients and caregivers
• Family/caregiver support including transportation/lodging challenges associated with treatment, psychotherapy, managing side effects of medications, wellness education, advocacy support
• Innovative efforts to empower patients and their caregivers to manage the disease
• Tools to assist patients and families related to therapy
• Efforts to build skills of professionals and caregivers to improve patient outcomes
• Efforts to address healthcare disparities for marginalized or at-risk groups (outreach and awareness, education to policy makers, stigma and cultural competence initiatives)
• Efforts to address impaired functionality, long absence or giving up work by patient and/or caregiver, and education for broader community around patient support
• Direct patient services or linkage to care; disease screenings
• Outreach to those without access to medical care or poor access
• Advocacy initiatives on access to care to treat individual patient need

About Us

As a leading pharmaceutical company in the United States, we focus our innovation on some of the most devastating diseases and the most complex medical challenges of our time, across six therapeutic areas:

• Cardiovascular & Metabolism
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Therapeutic Giving

Janssen is interested in funding programs and initiatives that improve patient access to treatment and services, advance health equity and strengthen frontline health workforces within the therapeutic areas noted.

Across therapeutic areas, we support disease awareness efforts, patient empowerment and advocacy, and linkages to care. Our preference is in support of programs focused on health system improvement with measurable outcomes over fundraising activities.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Disease Area

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Areas of Interest

• Early diagnosis and disease intervention
• Disease awareness and education of patients and caregivers
• Family/caregiver support, wellness education, advocacy support
• Innovative efforts to empower patients to manage their disease
• Tools to assist patients and families related to therapy to improve quality of life
• Efforts to build skills of professionals and caregivers to improve patient outcomes
• Efforts to address healthcare disparities for marginalized or at-risk groups (outreach and awareness, education to policy makers, stigma and cultural competence initiatives)
• Direct patient services or linkage to care, disease screenings
  • Outreach to those without access to medical care or poor access
• Advocacy initiatives on access to care to treat individual patient needs

What is 100x...?

100x Impact Accelerator is a world-leading impact accelerator, based at the London School of Economics. Our goal is to create cohorts of social unicorns driving positive social change around the world - at scale.

We have built 100x on a set of values that embrace ambition, humility, rigour, and trust. We believe in entrepreneurs that take risk, stay curious, and prioritise their mission. We like evidence based solutions where end customers and constituents find real value in the products or services they are accessing. And most of all, we know your work is some of the hardest work in the world. That’s why we believe in empathy – making sure you have people by your side who can support you on your journey and have been in your shoes before.

What we are looking for

100x is looking for the next generation of social unicorns - organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. We are looking for radical thinkers, the visionaries and the entrepreneurs who crave a new, better world.

Impact Areas

• Climate and Environment
  • We recognise that the world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges.
  • We aim to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that address these challenges and promote environmental sustainability.
  • We believe that entrepreneurship and innovation are key drivers of environmental progress.
  • This is why we work with passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are developing solutions that reduce environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
  • Our goal is to shape a planet where humans thrive, economies develop, and the environment prospers.
• Democracy
  • We believe that social movements and interventions are fundamental to shaping healthy democratic systems and that strong and inclusive democracies are essential for promoting human rights, social justice, and sustainable development.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the growth of innovative solutions that strengthen democracy and promote citizen participation.
  • We believe that access to information, civic education, and inclusive political processes are critical for promoting democracy and ensuring that all voices are heard.
  • At 100x, we aim to help ventures build scalable, impactful businesses that can transform how citizens engage with politics and hold their leaders accountable
• Happiness and Wellbeing
  • We believe that a thriving society must prioritise the well-being of its people.
  • We recognise that happiness and well-being are not just individual concerns but also significantly impact social and economic outcomes.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote happiness, mental health, and well-being.
  • We believe that access to quality mental health resources, community support, and healthy lifestyle choices are essential for promoting overall well-being.
  • There are social enterprises redefining how wellness works - for all, not just a few, and we're determined to accelerate the impact of those making huge strides towards a happier society.
• Education
  • Education is a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative education solutions that have the potential to transform the way people learn and acquire skills.
  • We believe there are social enterprises creating bold solutions that level the education playing field.
  • At 100x, we want to partner with these ventures and skyrocket their impact; fundamentally transforming education systems for students, families, and teachers around the world.
• Equitable Economies
  • We recognise that the current economic system is not working for everyone.
  • We believe that a more equitable economy is not only possible but essential for creating a sustainable and just future.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote economic equity and empowerment, particularly for marginalised communities.
  • We believe that radical thinkers are the key to replacing broken economic models.
  • At 100x, we're searching for social ventures who are proving that fair and inclusive economic systems are not only possible but scalable.
• Health and Social Care
  • Healthcare systems around the world are facing significant challenges, including rising costs, inadequate access, and poor-quality care.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that improve health outcomes, promote wellness, and increase access to healthcare and social services.
  • We believe there are social enterprises creating scalable solutions to improve population health, and we want to partner with these ventures that share our vision of driving radical social change in this area.
• New Frontiers
  • We believe that disruptive innovation and emerging technologies can potentially transform the world in unprecedented ways.
  • New frontiers in science, technology, and entrepreneurship are opening up new opportunities for addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies and disruptive business models to create positive impact at scale.
  • 100x aims to work with passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and disrupting the status quo by helping them to build scalable impactful businesses that can transform industries and create new markets.
• Refugees and Cohesion
  • We recognise that the displacement of people due to conflict, persecution, and natural disasters is a major global challenge that requires urgent attention.
  • We believe that promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and integration is critical for creating a more just and peaceful world.
  • We aim to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote the integration and wellbeing of refugees and host communities.
  • We know there are passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are committed to creating sustainable solutions that address the needs of refugees and host communities.
  • We want to help them build scalable, impactful businesses that can transform how refugees are supported and integrated into their new communities.

Selection Criteria

100x is looking for the next generation of social unicorns - organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. Our selection process is rooted in a holistic evaluation of both the people and the model. Here are the key criteria we consider:

• Outstanding Leadership
  • We want to back social entrepreneurs who demonstrate grit, potential for growth and ambition for the future
• Addressable Impact
  • Identified and evidenced impact opportunity that is sizeable and can create system level change
• Established Proof-of-Concept
  • Developed and delivered a model with evidence to suggest it is the ‘right solution'
• High Velocity of Change
  • Growing traction and there is a sense of solution being on the precipice for explosive growth
• Distinctiveness of Solution
  • A quality or feature that is impressive, rare and novel
• Cohort Fit
  • Alignment with our programme offerings, cohesiveness across the portfolio, and willingness to be an ambassador for 100x

Through these criteria, we aim to select ventures that not only have innovative solutions but also leaders deeply committed to driving positive social and environmental change. We value proximity to communities, inclusive approaches, and the capacity to affect systematic transformation.

We aim to have 70% of our portfolio to come from emerging markets and value applications where founders and/or senior team members be based in the region the organisation operates in.

We want to back organisations that are female-led, have considered gender in their product or service designs, and reflect a global market of leaders.

What We Offer

Our funding is flexible, impact-first, unrestricted, and based on trust. We offer catalytic grants and repayable grants to charities and social enterprises. Upon completion of the 100x accelerator programme, if your organisation has achieved extraordinary and outsized impact, you may be eligible for our follow-on funding.

Our programme is hybrid and spans 12 weeks. Two leaders (including at least one Founder and/or C-Suite member) from your organisation must be able to attend two sponsored trips to London at the start and end of the programme. Each trip will last no more than 3-5 days. 100x will cover reasonable transit and visa costs. You will also be expected to participate virtually for the rest of the programme. Please note, that the 100x Impact Accelerator programme is delivered in English, and you must have a reliable internet connection. If this is an issue, we offer a small stipend to support internet access so that you can fully engage in the programme.

• £150,000 in catalytic capital
• 12 Weeks Impact Accelerator programme
• World-Class support and bespoke mentors
• Cohorts of like-minded social entrepreneurs
• Summit Day celebrating and connecting ventures
• Alumni Membership long-term access to our community