Up to $500,000 to Prepare Young People for an AI-Powered Future – Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation Fourth Global Innovation Challenge is providing major grants to community organisations developing or expanding programmes that prepare low-income young people for employment in an economy increasingly shaped by AI.

Here’s what you can expect:

• $500,000 grant per successful organisation

• $25 million available overall

• 50 organisations will receive funding

• Funding to pilot or expand existing solutions

• Support for AI and digital skills development

• Projects can teach skills such as prompt engineering and digital content creation

• Support for critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience and other human-centred skills

• Funding for programmes connecting young people with employment opportunities

• Support for access to devices, software and digital resources

• Funding to integrate AI into existing youth-employment programmes

• Support for partnerships between nonprofits, employers and other organisations.

Who can apply?

• Eligible community organisations

• Nonprofit organisations

• Organisations working with low-income young people

• Applicants in Citi's eligible target geographies

• Organisations helping young people build AI, digital and employment skills

• Projects that improve workforce readiness and economic mobility

• Organisations looking to pilot a new solution or expand an existing programme.

Deadline: 6 October 2026 at 12:00pm New York Time (ET).