Applications for the 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Spark Grants are open! The deadline to apply is August 26.
As part of the Aspen Partnership for Inclusive Economy, the Global Inclusive Growth Spark Grants support AGLN Fellows around the world who are leading critical initiatives to reimagine more inclusive economic futures for all. Supported by Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, The Grants provide seed, catalytic funding to spark further development and impact. The fund will name up to four grant recipients, with award amounts totaling $60,000. Individual grants will range from $15,000-$20,000.
Eligibility and Criteria
Spark Grants support innovative organizations with cutting-edge approaches to advance sustainable and equitable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Fund aims to support early to mid-stage organizations for which a Spark Grant of this size could be valuable and leveraged.
To qualify, applicants must be Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and serve in an active leadership role in the initiative they are putting forward. The organization must be a registered legal organization that can receive funds and can hold any legal structure.
Financial Security and Resiliency
Promoting financial security and resiliency of small business
Economic Mobility of Workers
Supporting the economic mobility of workers, specifically through reimagining public and private benefit
Data for Good
Leveraging the power of data for good
Place-based economic solutions
Reinvigorating neighborhoods to build economically prosperous communities
Spark Grants encourages applications from initiatives that:
- Uplift collaborative efforts among Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network
- Are the Leadership Venture of and/or inspired by their AGLN Fellowship
- Serve disproportionately marginalized communities
Application Guidelines and Selection Process
Innovation
What is the challenge or opportunity addressed, and how is this a disruptive new solution?
Impact
What has been the impact to date, and what is the potential to have large-scale impact in the future?
Inclusion
How is the solution centered in advancing equity and inclusion?
Stage of Growth
Is the initiative at a stage of growth where Spark Grants can make a difference?
Still have more questions? Please contact Anan Kittana, Chief of Impact and Managing Director, Aspen Global Leadership Network for guidance.
Not sure if you should apply? Learn about past recipients and their work:
Read more about the creative solutions of the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 recipients.
Impact Stories
Rocio Pinto is the co-founder of Multiverse, a Guatemala-based organization that harnesses entrepreneurship as a catalyst to the country’s development. Multiverse addresses immediate entrepreneurial needs, including mentorship, tailored programs, online courses, consultancies, and a dedicated entrepreneurship school, all aimed at ensuring entrepreneurs have the knowledge, network, and resources they need to thrive. They’ve supported more than 4,500 entrepreneurs, resulting in at least a two-fold increase in jobs per venture and elevated incomes for all participating enterprises.
Rocio is a Central America Leadership Initiative Fellow and (with Multiverse) a recipient of a 2023–2024 Global Inclusive Growth Spark Grant. In this Q&A, we asked her about her work, her inspiration, and her future in creating an inclusive economic future for all.
In 2021, the National Black Bank Foundation made history by bringing together more than half of the Black-owned banks in the country to lead in a major financing deal with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Big deals like this get banks the capital they need to better serve their communities, which can ultimately lead to closing the racial wealth gap. This deal also serves as a model for what other businesses can do to take action on this issue. The organization was named a Spark Grant Awardee for this impactful action.
Watch this video to learn more about the work of Ashley Bell, Civil Society Fellow, Tishaura Jones, Rodel Fellow, and others collaborating on NBBF.
All Past Awardees
Launched in October 2019 with an inaugural summit, the Global Inclusive Growth Partnership (GIGP) combines the expertise and networks of both the Aspen Institute and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to address systemic issues across a range of topics including financial security, the future of workers and portable benefits, growing micro and small businesses, and commercially-sustainable social impact. Through research, synthesis, and convenings, GIGP aims to catalyze new partnerships and shine a spotlight on innovative, data-driven, and scalable solutions to build a more inclusive and resilient economy for all.
