Funded by Melinda French Gates: Inside the $60M Innovation Grant Challenge

Welcome to the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast! In this episode, host Holly Rustick sits down with Clare Bresnahan English, Senior Director of the Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge at the Aspen Institute, to break down a massive $60 million grant opportunity for U.S. nonprofits.

Tune in today to listen to this podcast.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WIN CHALLENGE GRANT

• Total Grant Monies: $60 Million ($20 million for each Opportunity)
• How Many Application Opportunities: 3 (Culture and Practices, AI, and Narratives). Yes, you can submit 3 different applications if your nonprofit has programs for all.
• Eligibility: 501c(3) Nonprofit in the US or Territories (they need to be a lead at least. If you are a different 501 or business, you need a 501c3 who will be the lead)
• Initial Registration Due Date: Dec. 11th at 5 pm EST. This is a quick registration ONLY and just takes a few minutes.
• Full Grant Due Date: Each Opportunity has a different due date in January 2026, but only for folks who registered.
• What the Fund is looking for: Innovative ways to change the workplace culture & practices, making AI more accessible for women in the workplace, and reshaping the narrative for women in the workplace (not us making it worse, NY Times!)
• More Info: This competition is part of Melinda French Gates’ broader $150 million commitment to tackle the biggest barriers and maximize the opportunities available in quickly evolving workplaces. 
• Why? Because when women succeed, it benefits all society. Melinda French Gates recently released a short video announcing the effort, emphasizing "When women get what they need to succeed, we all win.”
• WIN Challenge Website: https://www.winchallenge.org/

Listen to the full podcast to get more information about this grant opportunity if your nonprofit, or your clients, may be eligible.

Extra notes: 

• Even if your grant doesn’t get awarded, they are getting more investors on board and will share the entire list of ideas for other funders to invest.
• Even if you aren’t sure if you will apply, REGISTER by Dec. 11th, 2025 at 5 pm EST to be considered.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Clare Bresnahan English is the Senior Director, Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge. In this role, she advances innovative, high impact, actionable solutions that lower barriers for women in the workplace, and help women thrive to the benefit of themselves, their families, the economy, and the community at large. Clare has uplifted women’s leadership across government, media, civil society, and the private sector for over 15 years. Before joining The Aspen Institute, she served as CEO for New Leaders Council, a national nonprofit connecting and training local leaders representing a diversity of identities, industries, and issue areas. 

As the former Executive Director She Should Run, Clare helped spark a national movement that supports thousands of women and girls in owning their leadership path and to run for office. A 40 Under 40 Honoree with the Center for Leadership Excellence, Clare’s impact has been recognized as a Fellow with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, New Profit Civic Lab, and Aspen Ideas Festival. She serves on the Board of the Washington English Center, which provides English literacy and workforce development trainings for adult immigrants and refugees. She graduated magna cum laude with a Masters in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University and earned a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government from American University.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship 

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Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

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This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 

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