Humanity AI Open Call 2026: grants for community led AI work
Humanity AI offers grants of $75,000 to $1,000,000 to U.S. nonprofits for community led AI work. Apply by October 21, 2026.
The Humanity AI Open Call 2026 puts $10 million into U.S. based work that helps communities shape how AI is built, governed and used. Humanity AI is an initiative of 10 philanthropies, and Lever for Change runs the review.
Grants range from $75,000 to $1,000,000 in three tiers: $75,000 to $150,000, $150,000 to $500,000, and $500,000 to $1,000,000. Projects can last up to three years. Where feasible, the money is paid at the start of the grant.
Proposals must address education, labor and economy, or the humanities, arts and culture. One of the eligible approaches is technical work on AI that communities shape and control, such as evaluations, audits and datasets. Technical proposals on AI infrastructure get priority. Where AI models are part of the work, open weight or open source models are preferred over closed ones.
The lead applicant must be a U.S. based 501(c)(3) organization. Individuals can apply through a fiscal sponsor or as part of a collaboration. Groups outside the U.S. can take part only as collaborators, and every proposal must focus on U.S. based communities. Organizations that got a direct Humanity AI grant in 2026 cannot apply alone.
Applications go through Submittable and are due by 4:59 p.m. PT on October 21, 2026. Finalists hear back in December 2026, and awards are announced in early spring 2027.