The Aspen Institute today unveiled the Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge, a $60 million grant initiative aimed at reimagining workplaces to help women thrive—and create better environments for all employees. Backed by Pivotal and supported by Melinda French Gates, the challenge seeks bold, scalable solutions to tackle systemic workplace barriers.
Investing in Women, Investing in Everyone
Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, yet many leave due to inflexible policies, rising childcare costs, and bias. The WIN Challenge is designed to address these issues, recognizing that workplace improvements that support women benefit entire organizations and communities.
“Now is the time to invest in better workplaces,” said Melinda French Gates, founder of Pivotal. “When we remove barriers for women, we unlock potential across the entire economy.”
Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, emphasized the role of emerging technologies like AI in workplace transformation. “It is critical that we make sure everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential,” Porterfield said.
The Challenge Structure
Over the next year, Aspen Digital—a program of the Aspen Institute—will oversee the WIN Challenge, which is structured around three pillars:
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Culture & Practices – Solutions to improve workplace norms, equity, and employee well-being.
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AI – Leveraging AI to create workplaces that are more inclusive, efficient, and supportive.
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Narrative – Shifting stories, expectations, and societal norms that shape work culture.
Each pillar has $20 million available, awarding up to eight recipients with grants of $2.5 million or $5 million. Submissions must present novel, high-impact solutions that can scale across industries.
How to Participate
Eligible applicants—including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, coalitions, and other U.S.-based organizations—must register by Thursday, December 11, 2025. Final deadlines vary by pillar. Awardees will be announced in fall 2026, followed by a summit showcasing winning innovations. Top proposals will also be featured in a searchable database to inspire industry-wide adoption.
“This is an open call for new solutions because we know we don’t have all the answers,” said Clare Bresnahan English, Senior Director of the WIN Challenge at Aspen Digital. “We need bold innovation to reimagine what’s possible and build a better future for all.”
The WIN Challenge represents a major investment in workplace equity, culture, and technology, signaling a new era in which businesses, nonprofits, and innovators can collaboratively redesign work for a post-pandemic, AI-driven economy.
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