Google has plans to fund female-empowerment organisations with $25 million

Yesterday March 8 was International Woman’s Day. While many organisations creatively jumped on the “Choose To Challenge” theme, Google had another way to commemorate the day.

In a virtual event, Google.org unveiled a new impact challenge worth $25 million which, according to the organisation will see female-focused nonprofits and organisations around the world get funded for up to $2 million to drive women empowerment initiatives.

As the website puts it:

“Gender inequity is one of the most urgent challenges we face as a society, and COVID-19 has put the economic future of women and girls at even greater risk. At Google.org, we believe that solving big problems requires collective action, and the people closest to the challenges are often those closest to the solution.”

Google Impact Challenge 2021 has an eye out for programmes that are either addressing systemic barriers to economic equality, cultivating entrepreneurship or helping women and girls around the world attain financial independence. The goal, according to Google is to support organisations helping women and girls turn their economic potential into power.

More stories like this: 12 Nigerian ventures need your help to win $250,000 from Google Impact Challenge

The initiative is open to organisations around the world and eligibility will be weighed using the following determinants:

• Impact: How will the proposed project create pathways to prosperity for women and girls or empower them to reach their full economic potential, and to what extent? Is the application grounded in research and data about the problem and the solution? How many people will be affected if successful and to what extent?
• Innovation: What is the core insight or innovation that differentiates this project from others, in philosophy or execution? What makes the proposed project unique?
• Feasibility: Does your team have a well-developed, realistic plan, along with the right expertise and skills, to execute the proposal? Has your team identified the right partners and domain experts for implementation? To best understand the needs of those you’re serving, does your team have women in positions of leadership?
• Scalability: If successful, how can this project scale beyond the initial proposal? Can it scale directly, serve as a model for other efforts, or advance the field?

The application process

Application for the Google Impact Challenge will be in two phases. The first is proposal submission for charitable projects paving the way for women and girls prosperity. Applicants who scale through the first phase will submit additional information and proceed to phase two. Google.org’s panel of experts and partners will review and help to select the high-potential organisations that’ll get needed funding.

There will be a two-stage application process, and applications must be submitted in English. In Stage 1, organisations submit their proposals for charitable projects creating pathways to prosperity for women and girls.

How to apply for Google Impact Challenge 2021

Each selected organisation will receive between $300,000 and $2 million in funding and other support from Google. Interested applicants may proceed to the official website. Selected organisations for Google Impact Challenge 2021 will be announced later in the year.  Applications close at 23:59 GMT on April 9, 2021.

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