Deadline: 12-Jul-21
Do you have an innovative way to solve problems facing workers? Do you have a new approach to an existing idea? Do you have an idea that helps workers in new geographies, underrepresented industries, or demographics that have been historically excluded?
Do you get excited about testing your ideas, sharing them with others, and trying to get them off the ground? If yes, then apply for the Innovation Fund.
The Workers Lab’s purpose is to give new ideas about increasing worker power a chance to succeed and flourish. The Workers Lab envisions a society where workers are powerful drivers of economic, political, and social transformation.
To bring about that vision, they invest in and promote the experimentation and learning’s of public, private, and non-profit leaders who are testing new ideas to improve the lives of workers across a spectrum of worker power.
Founded by Dr. Carmen Rojas in 2014, The Workers Lab is based in Oakland, California.
Funding Information
- Through The Innovation Fund, they invest in new ideas that others are working on. This year, they will award grants of up to $150,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- They’re seeking innovators with new ideas about how to transform systems and structures to make all workers safe, healthy, secure, and free.
- Nearly any type of organization or entity is eligible to apply, including:
- Non-profit organizations
- Public sector entities
- Co-operatives or other worker-led entities
- For-profit companies
- Social enterprises
- Projects that have established a relationship with a fiscal sponsor but are not independent organizations themselves
- Awards from the Innovation Fund are limited to organizations that have a United States Tax ID.
Selection Criteria
- Round one
- The project addresses a critical problem facing workers today.
- The project proposes a new or innovative solution about how to transform systems or structures to make all workers safe, healthy, secure, or free.
- The team has a clear approach to including workers in the design and development of the project.
- The team has demonstrated in-depth thinking about the long-term possibilities for the project.
- Semi-finals
- The team understands potential gaps or barriers for accomplishing their project.
- The project outlines clear S.M.A.R.T. goals.
- The team has thoughtfully considered how to maximize the Innovation Fund dollars and is actively or creatively raising new funding sources to advance their project.
- The project has a strong process for continuous learning and generating real-time insights.
- The team can convey a clear and compelling pitch by video. They’re looking for compelling content, not video quality.
- Finals
- The team participates in preparation sessions with The Workers Lab team.
- The team participates in The Workers Lab’s live showcase and provides a pitch by webinar to a variety of TWL stakeholders and the public.
- The team participates in a Q&A session with The Workers Lab Board of Directors.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3waKnK9