Open Call for Proposals: Communities Leading on AI Program (United States)

Deadline: 21-Oct-2026

Humanity AI is inviting applications from U.S.-based organizations, collaborations, and individuals for community-led initiatives that help shape how artificial intelligence is developed, governed, and used for the common good. The grant programme focuses on empowering communities, particularly those most affected by technological change, to influence decisions about AI development and deployment. Proposals may address education, labor and the economy, or humanities, arts, and culture.

About the Humanity AI Open Call

The Humanity AI Open Call was launched by Humanity AI, an initiative supported by ten leading philanthropies. The programme responds to growing public concerns about the effects of artificial intelligence on communities, employment, and everyday life in the United States. Rather than allowing AI development to be shaped only by narrow interests, the initiative seeks to give communities a stronger role in determining how AI should be built, governed, and used. How Much Funding Is Available? Grants range from $75,000 to $1,000,000. Applicants can propose a grant period of up to three years. The programme does not pre-allocate funding among different grant tiers. Instead, applicants are encouraged to request the amount they believe is necessary to deliver their proposed work. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic budget based on the activities, scale, and duration of their initiative. What Does the Grant Support? The programme supports community-led initiatives that influence the development, governance, or use of artificial intelligence.

Eligible approaches include:

- Shaping AI governance and use. - Building AI on community terms. - Challenging AI deployments that do not serve community needs. - Promoting AI approaches that support the common good. - Supporting open-weight and open-source AI models where relevant. The programme is particularly interested in initiatives that give communities meaningful influence over AI-related decisions.

Core Issue Area 1: Education

The education focus centres on the interests of students, educators, and their communities. Projects may seek to ensure that AI development and deployment in education responds to the needs and priorities of the people directly affected by these technologies. The goal is to encourage approaches to AI that strengthen educational communities rather than simply introducing technology without sufficient community input.

Core Issue Area 2: Labor and the Economy

The labor and economy focus addresses the impact of AI on workers and the wider economy. The programme seeks approaches that ensure AI: - Enhances rather than replaces workers. - Supports workers and communities. - Contributes to a thriving economy. - Reflects the interests of people affected by technological change. Projects can address how AI is developed, governed, or deployed in ways that influence employment and economic conditions.

Core Issue Area 3: Humanities, Arts, and Culture

The humanities, arts, and culture focus seeks to protect and advance the work of: - Artists. - Writers. - Cultural workers. The programme recognises that AI can significantly affect creative and cultural work and supports community-led approaches that help shape how these technologies interact with the arts and cultural sectors. Community-Led AI Approaches A central principle of the grant is that communities should have a meaningful role in determining how AI affects their lives. Supported approaches may involve communities: - Influencing AI governance. - Defining how AI should be used. - Developing AI according to community priorities. - Challenging harmful or inappropriate AI deployments. - Promoting technology that serves broader public interests. The programme is especially focused on communities experiencing significant effects from technological change. Open-Weight and Open-Source AI The grant gives priority to open-weight and open-source AI models where relevant. Applicants whose proposals involve these approaches should explain how openness contributes to their community goals and supports their proposed work. Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to:

- U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status. - Collaborations. - Individuals working with a fiscal sponsor or intermediary. Proposals must focus on U.S.-based communities. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed work and the communities they seek to support.

Eligibility for Individuals

Individuals can apply when working with a fiscal sponsor or intermediary. This allows individual applicants to pursue community-led AI initiatives while working through an appropriate sponsoring or intermediary structure.

Eligibility for Collaborations

Collaborations can also apply. This structure allows multiple organizations, groups, or other partners to work together on initiatives addressing shared community priorities related to AI. Collaborative applicants should clearly explain the roles of participating partners and how their combined work will benefit the target communities. What Makes a Strong Proposal? A strong proposal should clearly demonstrate how the initiative will give communities greater influence over AI.

Applicants should explain:

- The community or communities they seek to support. - How those communities are affected by AI or technological change. - The specific issue the proposal addresses. - How the community will shape or participate in the work. - Whether the initiative focuses on education, labor and the economy, or humanities, arts, and culture. - How the project will influence AI development, governance, or use. - Why the proposed approach serves the common good. - The activities that will be undertaken. - The expected outcomes. - The funding required. - The proposed project duration. - How open-weight or open-source AI may contribute, where relevant. How Much Should Applicants Request? There is no pre-allocated funding amount for different applican