Grant Guidelines
To advance its mission to build a responsible and equitable technology ecosystem, the Kapor Foundation makes strategic grants across three focus areas: (1) Computing Education, (2) Innovation, and (3) Governance.
Within each focus area, we fund research on critical topics at the intersection of racial equity and tech, capacity-building that strengthens coalitions and movement-building infrastructure, and policy advocacy that drives systemic change. Across our work, we focus on improving opportunities and outcomes for Black, Latine, and Native communities. We support work nationally, while prioritizing initiatives that strengthen inclusive tech pathways in key geographic locations: the state of California (with a regional focus on Oakland, CA), Detroit, MI, and Atlanta, GA. Please read below for additional information on our funding priorities, eligibility and restrictions, and submit a letter of inquiry.
Funding Priorities
We fund organizations and initiatives aligned with our core focus areas:
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Computing Education
Given advances in AI, a new vision of education is urgently needed — one that ensures students are equipped with the technical skills to build emerging technologies and the critical skills to navigate their socio-technical implications. We fund computing education initiatives across K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways that expand computing participation at scale, shift policy to ensure equitable access, and expand the pipeline of educators prepared to teach computing.Innovation
AI is being designed, developed, and deployed rapidly, yet the communities most affected by its impacts are largely excluded from its creation and subsequent economic benefits. We support organizations and individuals that build responsible AI technologies, leverage technology to close gaps in access and opportunity, and invest in initiatives and coalitions that advance responsible AI in the entrepreneurship and venture capital ecosystems.
Governance
As AI adoption accelerates, bolder approaches to regulation are necessary to protect marginalized communities from technological harm, expand economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of technology reach everyone. We support efforts that build awareness of key policy issues, develop policy agendas, and mobilize coalitions. For 2026, our priority advocacy areas are: 1) computing education, 2) algorithmic bias, 3) AI safeguards for children, 4) data center development, and 5) surveillance and civil rights.
2026 Grant Priorities
What we will prioritize funding in 2026:
- Aligns with one or more of our focus areas: Computing Education, Innovation, and/or Governance
- Aligns with Kapor Foundation’s core frameworks: Responsible AI Principles, Responsible AI and Tech Justice Guide for K-12, and Equitable Tech Policy
- Proposes novel, innovative, or collaborative projects that are uniquely poised for impact and systems-level change
- Advances inclusive tech pathways nationally, or have a focus in: the state of California and/or Oakland, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Detroit, MI
- Registered nonprofit organization determined to be exempt from income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) and/or state tax exemption.
Out of Scope
What is out of scope or ineligible for funding in 2026:
- Organizations and initiatives focused outside of the foundation’s core focus areas
- Educational and/or childcare programs that do not have a focus on Computing Education
- Churches, religious groups, and religious causes or activities, including holidays
- Individuals, political candidates, or organizations primarily engaged in partisan advocacy or political campaigning
- Organizations or programs that discriminate based upon any legally protected characteristics
- Requests primarily for reduction of organizational debt or excessive salaries, travel, incentives or gifts
- International giving, services, causes and/or activities provided exclusively outside of the United States
- For-profit or unverifiable tax-exempt organizations
Explore Additional Funding Opportunities
The broader ecosystem of funders working at the intersection of racial equity and technology continues to grow, and we are committed to connecting organizations to the resources they need to drive change. The Kapor Foundation participates in several funder collaboratives advancing this work, and we encourage you to pursue funding from these groups as well. Their funding cycles may vary throughout the year, so please check back periodically for new opportunities.