Zoom Cares Announces $2.75m AI Grant Funding

Published On: 22nd Sep 2026 16:45

Zoom Cares expands AI for Good programme with $2.75m in new grants.

A year after announcing its $10 million AI for Good commitment, Zoom Cares has shared early results from its first grants and announced a further $2.75 million in funding for seven organisations.

The programme aims to support access to AI education, workforce development, and responsible AI adoption among nonprofits.

The first two AI for Good grants provided $1 million each to CodeAI and data.org.

CodeAI used its funding to expand its AI Foundations course in US high schools. More than 168,000 students have engaged with the curriculum, while nearly 9,000 teachers have received training to deliver AI and computer science education.

Meanwhile, data.org used its $1 million grant to run the Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge, which attracted 500 applications from 76 countries.

The latest $2.75 million in grants covers three areas: education, workforce development, and nonprofit AI readiness and innovation.

Teach For All receives $500,000 to expand its AI Literacy & Creator Collective, supporting 5,000 educators in under-resourced communities and reaching an estimated 500,000 students.

“Across the Teach For All network, educators are showing what is possible when they have the opportunity to shape and adapt AI tools for the realities of their own classrooms and communities.

Zoom has been an essential platform for how our global network learns together, enabling educators across countries to connect, collaborate, and share learning in real time.

Now, with the support of Zoom Cares, Teach For All’s Global Institute for Shaping a Better Future will support educators across our global network to design, test, and share practical innovations that strengthen teaching and expand opportunity for students” Wendy Kopp, CEO & Co- Founder, Teach For All.

In workforce development, Jobs for the Future (JFF) receives $500,000 to support research, training, and capacity building through its Center for Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we work and learn, and we have an opportunity to ensure that this transformation expands access to quality jobs and economic advancement for all.

Zoom’s support will help JFF’s Center for Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work build the capacity, knowledge, and partnerships needed to help workforce and education leaders navigate this moment and ensure workers and learners are better prepared for an AI-powered future.” – Alex Swartsel, VP of JFF’s Center for AI & the Future of Work.

The National Academy of Engineering receives $500,000 to expand its engineering outreach programme, while the International Rescue Committee receives $250,000 to pilot PathwAI, a multilingual AI-powered career and learning coach for refugees in Germany.

“With Zoom Cares’ support, the IRC will develop and pilot PathwAI to support newcomers in Germany, helping them improve their livelihoods and opportunities for long-term economic wellbeing,” said Jon Vosper, senior director for economic empowerment at the International Rescue Committee.

“PathwAI will build on the IRC Germany’s youth green sector employment initiative, combining deep expertise across workforce development, innovation in the responsible use of AI, and strong local implementation capacity.”

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) will receive a further $250,000 to adapt its Passports to Success programme to help young people develop skills for working alongside AI.

“The skills that help young people succeed, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, have never been more important than they are right now.

With support from Zoom Cares, we’re evolving our Passport to Success curriculum so that young people don’t just learn about AI, but learn how to work alongside it with confidence.

This partnership will help us reach hundreds of young people across the United States and ensure that the next generation is equipped to thrive in a workforce being transformed by technology.” – Christina Sass, President & CEO of IYF.

The remaining funding will support AI readiness and innovation among nonprofits.

NetHope receives $500,000 to help 200 nonprofits worldwide develop responsible AI adoption plans through assessments, learning programmes, peer exchange, and coaching.

Next Chapter receives $250,000 to support 45 formerly incarcerated people in developing AI and coding skills and applying those skills within the reentry sector.

“Zoom has been a longstanding partner in our work to create meaningful pathways into tech for formerly incarcerated people.

Their renewed $250,000 investment is helping us prepare builders to thrive in an AI-driven economy while using their skills and lived experience to help reentry organizations expand their impact. We hope Zoom’s continued leadership inspires others to support and help scale this work.” – Kenyatta Leal, Next Chapter Executive Director.

Zoom Cares said the programme is focused on ensuring that people have the skills and support needed to use AI effectively, rather than focusing solely on access to the technology.

“AI is creating one of the most significant shifts in how we work and live, but access to technology alone doesn’t drive impact.

The real opportunity comes when people have the skills, confidence, and support to put these tools to work in meaningful ways. That’s what Zoom Cares’ AI for Good commitment is all about, and we’re just getting started.”