Deadline: March 20, 2019 (Letters of Intent)
Driven by the belief that every life is worth equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to address the most pressing issues of the day and improve quality of life for all. Although the foundation’s reach is global and it works across many sectors, its efforts in the United States are focused on providing the neediest individuals with the resources needed to succeed.
According to the foundation, educational achievement is a prime predictor for future success, with college graduates earning as much as 65 percent more than individuals with only a high school education. Numerous sociocultural factors, including income inequality and race, affect access to and success at the postsecondary educational level. Through its Postsecondary Success strategy, the foundation works to provide all students with the opportunity to complete a high-quality and affordable postsecondary education.
To that end, the foundation is accepting applications from potential partners interested in serving as Intermediaries for Scale. Up to ten organizations (or organizational networks) will be selected to support institutions of higher education over a multiyear period, with the goal of improving outcomes for traditionally underserved students, including minorities and those with reduced incomes. Through the program, organizations and partners will work together to connect campuses to each other and additional resources in order to inform policy and improve industry practices.
Grants will be awarded to the chosen Intermediaries in support of organizational capacity-building efforts in four key areas: 1) increasing awareness of promising strategies within the campus community; 2) informing key campus-level decisions about change options and strategies; 3) providing direction and resources to adopt, implement, analyze, and sustain policy changes; and 4) building connections between educational institutions and supporting organizations in order to improve industry best practices.
U.S.-based organizations with a history of working to increase student success in postsecondary settings will be considered. Eligible candidates must be dedicated to reducing college disparity outcomes due to race and income, committed to continuous learning and improvement through data-driven methods, and have the capacity to recognize, implement, and evaluate policy changes campus-wide.
Applicants must navigate a multi-stage process, with LOIs due March 20, 2019. Selected applicants will be asked to supply additional information by May 10 and a concept paper by June 28. Final proposals will be due in the fall.
See the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website for complete program guidelines, a list of informational webinars, and application instructions.
