Common Pool is now Carrot

Congratulations to the five finalists of the Larsen Lam ICONIQ Impact Award, a $12 million grant to secure a brighter, more durable future for refugees. Philanthropists Chris Larsen and Lyna Lam, and the Sea Grape Foundation partnered with ICONIQ Impact and Lever for Change to support refugees with this award. Learn more about the finalists’ proposed solutions: https://solutions.leverforchange.org//five-finalists-anno/ #LLIIA2020 #Refugees

Each year, the infrastructure to support our nation's water supply is increasingly strained, requiring more complexity and management. The US Bureau of Reclamation oversees thousands of miles of canals to quench the thirst of our cities and farms, and as rural communities become more urbanized the need to protect these vital assets is rising. Annual drownings in these barricaded zones are a serious problem. So, Common Pool has been contracted to run an open innovation competition for new measures to ensure the safe and intended use of these waterways. We are proud to have launched the CANAL SAFETY CHALLENGE - help us spread the word and learn more at: www.canalsafetychallenge.org

In many areas of the United States, drought and water scarcity threaten our cities and farms. As communities are forced to seek new sources, desalination is often overlooked due to a perceived expense. A major cost factor is the handling, disposal, and treatment required to manage salt and other concentrates. Further, in the disposal of those by-products, water is lost. Therefore, we are working with NASA and the US Bureau of Reclamation to induce efficient and effective approaches to dealing with concentrate disposal from desalination. This highly technical problem demands attention, and we are proud to partner with others to ensure that new talent and technologies can be applied. Welcome to... MORE WATER, LESS CONCENTRATE

We're excited to announce that a new donor has come forward to supplement the $30MM pool of awards for the Equality Can't Wait Challenge - advancing gender equity in the U.S. by 2030 is a noble cause, and it is supporting by an amazing team of investors [Melinda Gates, MacKenzie Scott (formerly Bezos), and now Stacy Schusterman]. Be a part of this amazing opportunity that is now offering $40MM in total grants for the best and brightest proposals...

On June 16th, we launched the EQUALITY CAN'T WAIT CHALLENGE, a $30MM pool of philanthropic capital to help expand women's power and influence in the US by 2030 - you can learn more about it (and share this announcement with your colleagues) at: https://www.equalitycantwaitchallenge.org/ The sponsors are Melinda Gates and MacKenzie Bezos.... They drafted the following statement to clarify their intentions... Recent events have exposed deep inequalities in the United States. The injustices Black Americans face every day have forced a spotlight on systemic racism in our country. At the same time, COVID-19 has magnified the structural inequities that hold millions of U.S. women back, adding urgency to the phrase, Equality can’t wait. While there has been a groundswell of awareness, activism, and energy to accelerate change, progress is not moving fast enough. Women in the U.S. are still vastly underrepresented in the places where agendas are set and decisions are made. Additionally, the gains that have been made do not extend to all women. Women of color, women living in poverty, and LGBTQ women, for example, still face additional barriers to equality, both at home and at work. Common Pool is honoured to support the design, development, and management of this important initiative. Here is the most recent news coverage (hot off the press with more to come): https://www.businessinsider.com/melinda-gates-mackenzie-bez

CEO Jaison Morgan was recently interviewed on the podcast "FedHeads". Great discussion with regard to prizes and challenges in Government. Have a listen.

We had such a wonderful time last night at the LA Homelessness Chalenge pitch event. What an inspirational and uplifting group of people working together to make our world a better and safer place. Congrats to everyone!