Deadline: July 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Open AI Foundation People-First AI Fund 2026. The OpenAI Foundation is committing $50 million in 2026 to support nonprofits engaging with AI to advance their missions and serve their communities.
The 2026 People-First AI Fund will support trusted, local nonprofits that are co-creating with communities and exploring how practical, community-led engagement with AI can reduce barriers to services and information, expand opportunity, and elevate community voice and participation.
Community organizations play an essential role in connecting people to services, information, and cultural spaces. Guided by the principle that access is agency, the Fund aims to support nonprofits and communities in shaping how AI is used to advance their missions and in service of local priorities.
2026 Focus Areas
They will fund organizations working across three areas:
- Community Support Services
- Community Arts & Cultural Organizations
- Community Journalism & Media
Grant
- The Fund anticipates making grants up to 10% of an organization’s annual budget. Final amounts are determined at the discretion of the OpenAI Foundation.
Eligibility
The Fund will provide unrestricted grants to community-based organizations that demonstrate strong community trust, direct partnership with the populations they serve, and a genuine interest in exploring how AI can strengthen their work and impact.
In addition to alignment with the focus areas, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- U.S.-Based 501(c)(3) Organization: Organizations must be a U.S.-based public charity with a valid 501(c)(3) status and be in compliance with applicable 501(c)(3) requirements.
- Primarily U.S.-Focused Operations: Organizations must be located in, and primarily conducting work within, the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia.
- Small to Mid-Sized Budget: Organizations must have an annual operating budget between $500,000 and $10 million (except for certain regranting organizations). Based on demand, they expect to prioritize organizations between $1-8 million operating budgets.
- Standalone Organizations: They will not consider applications from programs, centers, or departments housed within larger institutions – including academic research centers, university-affiliated institutes, and think tanks – or programs fiscally sponsored by another institution, even if the program maintains separate operating budgets below $10 million.
Application
All applications must be submitted via the portal by July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. Note they are unable to consider late applications.
For more information, visit Open AI Foundation People-First AI Fund.
