Questions & Answers
In March 2026, McElhattan Foundation launched the Zero Electrocution Challenge seeking to catalyze and amplify bold ideas to eliminate life-threatening tasks that lead to fatal workplace electrocution, while increasing enterprise profitability and productivity. Up to two Winners will each be awarded up to $1 million.
Please contact us with any challenge-related questions, requests for help with accessibility and special accommodations, and technical support.
Once you have registered and throughout the challenge, we will send important notifications to the email address associated with your account, as well as the primary and secondary contacts listed on your registration form. There are three important steps you can take to make sure these messages are received promptly:
- Add our email address to your contacts.
- Whitelist our email address. Here are instructions to add to your whitelist in most major email providers.
- Update your registration form right away if one of your contacts changes. If you need to make a contact change after the application window has closed, please email us, and we will assist you.
The Zero Electrocution Challenge requires each applicant to identify a Lead Organization who will assume responsibility for the receipt and management of any award.
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- An entity based in the United States and/or US territories under section 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) that has received a tax determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).
- A private foundation based in the United States and/or US territories under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC that has received a tax determination letter from the IRS.
- A fiscally-sponsored nonprofit organization.
- A tribal government or tribal-owned enterprise.
- An educational entity, public college, junior college, or university that is either (i) recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) a governmental entity or instrumentality eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- A PreK-12 public, private, or charter school.
- A for-profit corporation organized under the laws of a State (or territory) in the United States.
- A benefit corporation, flexible purpose entity, or similar "hybrid" entity organized under the laws of a State (or territory) in the United States.
- A limited liability company or partnership organized under the laws of a State (or territory) in the United States.
Review the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements.
The following are not eligible to participate or apply as a Lead Organization, participant, partner or other collaborator:
- An individual outside the age of consent to enter into a legally binding agreement under applicable law;
- A person whose participation has been permanently suspended or terminated under Section 4 of the Terms;
- A person who resides in or is a citizen of countries that are prohibited by law, regulation (including United States or other applicable export laws and regulations), treaty or administrative act from entering into trade relations (including export of technology) with the United States or its citizens;
- Subject to sanctions; or,
- In breach of any anti-corruption and/or sanctions, laws, and requirements applicable to You or your activities.
Review the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements.
Eligible Lead Organizations are welcome to collaborate with nonprofit organizations, companies, foundations, schools, colleges and universities, government agencies, individuals, and other entities (either U.S.-based or non-U.S.-based) in order to implement the project.
Organizations proposing to work together may be asked to demonstrate through a fully-executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other similar agreement, executed by all parties, that all parties have agreed that a single eligible entity or organization (i.e. the Lead Organization) will serve as the Winner and will have direction, control, and supervision of the proposed project and management of all Award funds and be responsible for all reporting requirements.
While MOUs will not be collected in the application, MOUs may be requested from teams that are selected as Finalists.
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