“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” -Alvin Toffler

Friday, September 12, 2025

AI: Funding Opportunity. OpenAI invites applications for People-First AI Fund. Closes October 8, 2025

"You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” —Angela Davis
 
Even with this opportunity for BIPOC nonprofits that baseline budget range (primarily consider organizations with an annual operating budget greater than $500,000) may be beyond the reach of many.
 
OpenAI invites applications for People-First AI Fund
 
September 11, 2025
 
Deadline: October 8, 2025
 
The mission of OpenAI is to ensure that artificial general intelligence—AI systems that are generally smarter than humans—benefits all of humanity.
 
OpenAI invites applications for the People-First AI Fund, a $50 million commitment to support nonprofits and mission-focused organizations working at the intersection of innovation and public good.
 
OpenAI welcomes applications from organizations at every stage of AI adoption—from exploration to pilots and active deployment. OpenAI recognizes that some of the most impactful opportunities may be new initiatives, approaches not yet been widely proven, or come from unexpected places.
 
The People-First AI Fund will support organizations directly working in three areas:
 
AI literacy & public understanding: OpenAI seeks to support organizations that help communities build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the age of AI. This includes education programs, media initiatives, and opportunities for people to engage with and better understand the technology. The company is particularly interested in efforts that equip people with practical skills. This may involve training trusted local leaders—such as educators, faith leaders, youth mentors, or artists—to make discussions about AI more accessible and relevant.
 
Community innovation: OpenAI aims to support organizations that work in partnership with communities to guide how AI might be shaped and used in their lives. The priority is to back efforts where communities lead participatory design and decision-making to ensure AI strengthens civic life and helps people stay healthy, connected, and thriving. This includes initiatives that use AI to expand access to and improve delivery of essential services, as well as community co-designed approaches in areas such as health, mental well-being, and building community trust. Priority consideration will be given to organizations working in place-based settings such as schools, libraries, clinics, or community centers; applicants that actively involve residents—including youth—in the design of initiatives; and efforts serving populations traditionally left out of digital innovation, such as older adults, rural communities, or linguistically isolated groups.
 
Economic opportunity: OpenAI seeks to support organizations expanding access to meaningful work in ways that are fair, inclusive, and community-driven by leveraging the promise of AI. This could include programs that prepare people—especially young people—for the jobs of the future; tools that support caregivers and local businesses; and initiatives that help workers build economic security. The company is also interested in models of shared value—such as cooperatives or community-based platforms—that respect local culture and center worker needs. Across all efforts, the company will prioritize approaches that enhance, rather than replace, human work and ensure the benefits of AI are broadly distributed instead of concentrated among the few.
 
Grants will be unrestricted, reflecting a commitment to support the expertise of nonprofit and community-based organizations.
 
To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S.-based public charity with a valid 501(c)(3) status, and in compliance with 501(c)(3) requirements; and must be located in, and primarily conducting work within, the 50 states or the District of Columbia. The company will primarily consider organizations with an annual operating budget greater than $500,000. All organizations must have an annual operating budget of less than $10 million. 

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the OpenAI website.

Link to complete RFP

 
 

 

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