Openai has officially opened applications for the first round of the newly launched grant People First AI Funda $50 million initiative designed to support nonprofits and mission-driven organizations working at the intersection of technology, innovation and public goods.
First launched in July 2025, the program reflects Openai's commitment to ensuring the broad benefits of artificial intelligence and applying tools to solve some of the most pressing challenges in society. The fund was shaped through months of listening sessions with more than 100 organizations, 500 individuals and community partners representing more than 7 million Americans.
Application window closes at 11:00 PM on October 8, 2025the grant is expected to be distributed by the end of the year. The grant will be Unlimitedallowing recipients the flexibility to use the appropriate resources. Importantly, organizations do not need to apply using AI tools at the moment.
What the fund supports
The People First AI Fund offers grants in three priority areas:
- AI literacy and public understanding: Programs that provide communities with skills and knowledge to navigate AI to make it more accessible, including education, media initiatives, and local leaders.
- Community innovation: Efforts to be involved in the design and deployment of AI to enhance civic life and critical services, with an emphasis on local participation models in schools, clinics, libraries and other community spaces.
- Economic Opportunities: An initiative to expand access to meaningful work and economic security by leveraging AI, particularly a community-based model that enhances work for young people, small businesses, caregivers and humans.
Priority is given to organizations that serve traditionally underserved groups, such as seniors, rural communities, and linguistically isolated groups.
Qualifications
The fund is open A US-based nonprofit with valid 501(c)(3) status Annual operating budgets ranging from $500,000 to $10 million. An organization may only submit one application and must operate primarily within 50 US states or the District of Columbia.
Application Process
Eligible organizations can apply through Openai's grant portal. Completed applications must be submitted online by the deadline of October 8th. The applicant may contact you with any questions peoplefirstfund@openai.com.
“This fund is an early stage in our broader vision of shaping the age of intelligence not only by communication, but by listening, learning and building,” Openai said in the presentation.
