Announcing the initial People-First AI Fund grantees

The OpenAI Foundation is announcing the first recipients from the People-First AI Fund, a multi-million dollar investment in community-based nonprofits working to strengthen local communities and expand the opportunity of AI.

Through an open call, the Foundation will provide $40.5 million in unrestricted grants to 208 nonprofits across the United States. Funds will be disbursed by the end of the year. A second wave of $9.5 million in Board-directed grants will be announced in the coming months, supporting organizations already advancing transformative AI work in areas like health that reflect the Fund’s people-first values and potential for broad public benefit. 

“The People-First AI Fund reflects our commitment to supporting a wide range of organizations advancing work that strengthens communities and expands opportunity. We’re proud to support this first group of grantees and to continue work that is mission-driven and responsive to the people it exists to serve.” —Bret Taylor, Chair of the OpenAI Foundation Board

The OpenAI Foundation looks forward to learning alongside these organizations and local leaders, sharing insights, and expanding our grantmaking work.

See below for full list.⁠

Over the past year, a series of steps laid the groundwork for these grants: the work of our independent Nonprofit Commission, nationwide community listening, the Commission’s public report, and the launch of the People-First AI Fund.

The application window for the first wave of grants—all unrestricted—was open from September 8 through October 8 and featured a short, four-question application. Nearly 3,000 organizations applied from across the country—an indication of both the demand for support and desire among community-based organizations to help shape how AI can be applied to their work and the people they serve.

Daniel Zingale, who had served as convener of the Nonprofit Commission, supported the Foundation in translating the Commission’s recommendations into the Fund’s implementation. Together with external grantmaking experts, advisors, and members of the Nonprofit Commission, the group conducted a multi-step, independent human review and screening process. Every application was reviewed, with shortlisted recommendations advanced to the OpenAI Foundation Board for final consideration.

This cohort includes organizations that are mission-driven, community-centered, and ready to move. Many have never used AI or are early in their exploration, reflecting the Fund’s goal of supporting trusted local organizations at the front lines of community impact. California nonprofits are well represented, consistent with our commitment to our home state. 

The organizations announced today serve people and communities in every region of the United States, across both rural and urban areas. The portfolio includes national networks advancing news literacy and veteran support, youth-led innovation in the Midwest, faith-based networks in the South, rural capacity-building organizations in California’s Central Valley, Native-led media and STEM education programs in the Southwest.

Examples are highlighted below:

• Digital NEST⁠(opens in a new window) (CA): A workforce development nonprofit helping youth in agricultural communities thrive in today’s digital economy through career exploration, mentorship, training, and paid work experience.
• Be Loud Studios⁠(opens in a new window) (LA): Amplifies the voices of young people through radio and digital media and is exploring how to elevate youth perspectives in conversations around AI and mental health.
• Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement⁠(opens in a new window) (DE): Champions Delaware’s nonprofit sector by providing tools, knowledge, and connections that nonprofits need to strengthen their organizations and expand their impact.
• Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement⁠(opens in a new window) (TX): Empowers underserved, low-income students and working adults to achieve economic mobility through comprehensive case management, wrap-around financial assistance, career navigation, and strong employer partnerships. VIDA is expanding access to AI and technology training programs to equip communities with the skills needed to thrive in the future workforce.
• Rural Opportunity Institute⁠(opens in a new window) (NC): Builds the capacity of rural communities to support youth well-being, including helping school districts use existing public funding to expand on-site mental health services.
• Springboard to Opportunities⁠(opens in a new window) (MS): Supports residents of federally subsidized housing as they pursue their goals in school, work, and life. Created the first and longest-running guaranteed income initiative in the United States and is now exploring how AI impacts the communities they serve.
• Arc of Madison County ⁠(opens in a new window)(AL): Serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, and is exploring how AI can support specialized education and career pathways for neurodivergent learners.
• Healthy Archuleta⁠(opens in a new window) (CO): Works to improve food and healthcare systems in a rural community to strengthen access, equity, and community wellbeing, strategically capturing learning that can be shared with other rural communities. The organization is exploring how AI can strengthen initiatives like the Community Food Hub, which connects local food producers, consumers, and entrepreneurs through a centrally located food hall.
• Camai Community Health Center⁠(opens in a new window) (AK): Federally Qualified Health Center exploring how AI can improve primary care and community health services for remote Alaskan communities.
• Tribal Education Departments National Assembly⁠(opens in a new window) (OK): Native-run nonprofit that supports Tribal Education Departments and is running AI literacy programs to help strengthen tribal sovereignty.
• 3 Dots Downtown⁠(opens in a new window) (PA): Local arts and community center exploring workshops and programs around AI literacy, art, and professional development.
• Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation⁠(opens in a new window) (MT): Helps post-9/11 combat veterans rediscover purpose, connection, and healing through transformative, nature-based experiences.
• Ephrata Public Library⁠(opens in a new window) (PA): Independent, nonprofit public library that offers digital literacy and workforce development programs.
• STEM From Dance⁠(opens in a new window) (CA, FL, IL, MA, NY, NC, TX): Partners with schools, community centers, and youth-serving organizations to combine dance and AI learning for young girls of color.
• Amigos Together for Kids⁠(opens in a new window) (FL): A Miami nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by empowering parents, supporting families in crisis, and providing safe, enriching after-school and summer programming for children. 
• Maui Roots Reborn⁠(opens in a new window) (HI): Multicultural disaster response and justice organization that provides legal, financial, and social support to Maui’s immigrant and migrant community.
• SOVA Innovation Hub⁠(opens in a new window) (VA): Provides coworking space, training, and events that bring together entrepreneurs, educators, students, and nonprofit leaders to build digital skills and drive economic transformation in Southern Virginia.
• Native American Journalists Association⁠(opens in a new window) (AZ, CA, KS, MN, MT, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, WY): Advances the voices of Indigenous peoples in the media, which guides how they engage with emerging technologies like AI.

The People-First AI Fund backs work in areas that communities told us matter most, with flexible, unrestricted funding to address immediate needs:

• AI literacy and public understanding. Programs that build knowledge, skills, and confidence so people—especially trusted local leaders like teachers, faith leaders, and youth mentors—can engage with AI in ways that matter for their lives.
• Community innovation. Community-led efforts to shape how AI is used locally, strengthening civic life, improving access to essential services, and supporting well-being in place-based settings such as schools, libraries, clinics, and community centers.
• Economic opportunity. Programs that expand access to meaningful, fairly distributed work as AI changes the labor landscape, including training for the jobs of the future, cooperative and shared-value models, and support for caregivers and local businesses.
• Transformative grants. A Board-directed second wave of grants will support organizations already advancing transformative AI work across areas like health, and will prioritize projects with the potential to scale and create durable public benefit.

Thank you to the community leaders who helped shape this Fund. We’re committed to learning side-by-side with grantees, sharing insights, and continuing to support efforts that improve people’s lives.

We’re just getting started.

—The OpenAI Foundation Board