Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026: Apply for US$500,000 to Prepare Youth for an AI-Driven Future

The Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026 is inviting eligible nonprofit organizations to submit proposals for innovative programmes that prepare low-income young people for employment in an increasingly artificial intelligence (AI)-driven economy.

Through its fourth Global Innovation Challenge, the Citi Foundation is committing US$25 million in total funding to support approximately 50 community organizations, with each selected organization expected to receive a restricted grant of US$500,000.

The initiative focuses on helping young people develop relevant AI, digital, and human-centred skills, improve access to technology, connect with employment opportunities, and strengthen existing youth employability programmes. It is designed to support organizations developing practical, scalable, and innovative solutions that promote economic mobility for low-income youth.

The Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadline is October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. New York Time (Eastern Time).

Opportunity Overview

• Opportunity: Fourth Global Innovation Challenge: Preparing Youth for AI
• Funder: Citi Foundation
• Funding Type: Restricted grant
• Total Funding: US$25 million
• Expected Number of Grantees: Up to 50 organizations
• Expected Grant Amount: US$500,000 per selected organization
• Grant Duration: 24 months
• Expected Grant Start: No earlier than June 1, 2027
• Primary Beneficiaries: Low-income youth, primarily ages 15 to 24
• Eligible Applicants: Registered nonprofit organizations
• Geographic Scope: Select countries and communities where Citi has a presence
• First-Stage Application: Letter of Inquiry
• LOI Deadline: October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• Expected LOI Decision Notification: By the end of November 2026
• Expected Final Funding Decisions: No later than the end of May 2027

The application and announcement timelines are subject to change. Applicants should consult the official Citi Foundation Request for Proposals documentation for the latest information before submitting.

About the Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge

The Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge is a philanthropic funding initiative that supports community organizations developing innovative responses to major social and economic challenges affecting low-income communities.

The 2026 edition focuses on preparing youth for the changing world of work. As AI and digital technologies increasingly influence recruitment, job roles, workplace productivity, and business operations, young people need access to both technical and human-centred capabilities.

The Foundation recognizes that low-income youth may face significant barriers to participating in the AI-enabled economy. These barriers can include:

• Limited access to reliable internet connectivity.
• Inadequate access to computers, smartphones, and digital tools.
• Gaps between existing education or training and emerging labour-market needs.
• Limited exposure to AI technologies.
• Lack of employment networks and career guidance.
• Insufficient opportunities to gain practical experience.
• Unequal access to training in digital and human-centred skills.

The challenge therefore seeks to support nonprofit organizations that can develop or expand solutions addressing these barriers and helping young people become more prepared for employment.

The Foundation’s announcement states that the challenge will support programmes that combine AI and digital capabilities with skills such as critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving. These complementary skills are important because young people will need more than technical knowledge to use AI responsibly and effectively in the workplace.

Why Preparing Youth for AI Matters

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, job functions, recruitment practices, and the skills employers seek. While AI creates new opportunities, it can also deepen existing inequalities if young people from low-income communities lack access to the tools and training required to participate.

The challenge is based on the understanding that youth employability in the AI-driven economy requires a combination of:

1. Technical AI literacy
2. Digital access
3. Practical workplace readiness
4. Human-centred skills
5. Career and employment support
6. Responsible and ethical use of technology

The Foundation’s Request for Proposals highlights the importance of helping youth understand, guide, interpret, and apply AI tools rather than simply teaching technical concepts in isolation.

The programme is particularly relevant for organizations working with young people who are underserved by traditional education, training, technology, and employment systems.

Focus Areas of the Global Innovation Challenge

The Citi Foundation identifies three major focus areas for potential proposals. Organizations may develop projects within one or more of these areas, provided their solutions align with the overall goal of preparing low-income youth for employment.

1. Cultivating AI and Human-Centric Skills for Youth Employment

The first focus area supports programmes that help low-income youth develop AI-related and human-centred skills relevant to the workplace.

Potential activities may include training in:

• AI fundamentals.
• AI literacy.
• Ethical considerations in the use of AI.
• Prompt engineering.
• Digital content creation.
• AI-enabled workplace tools.
• Digital productivity.
• Problem-solving.
• Critical thinking.
• Advanced reasoning.
• Creativity.
• Adaptability.
• Resilience.
• Communication and collaboration.

The Foundation is interested in approaches that connect technical AI skills with broader employability capabilities. For example, a programme might teach young people how to use AI tools for research, content creation, data analysis, job applications, or business operations while also helping them develop judgment, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Strong proposals should demonstrate how the training will lead to practical employment outcomes, such as improved job readiness, access to work opportunities, stronger career pathways, or better alignment with employer needs.

2. Expanding Digital Access

The second focus area supports solutions that improve young people’s access to digital resources and opportunities.

Digital access may involve more than providing internet connectivity. It can also include access to devices, software, safe learning environments, relevant digital tools, and platforms that enable young people to participate in the digital economy.

Potential examples include:

• Community technology hubs.
• Shared computer or device facilities.
• Digital learning centres.
• Open-source AI tools.
• Low-connectivity digital platforms.
• Offline learning resources.
• Digital literacy programmes.
• Connectivity solutions.
• Technology access linked to employment services.
• Platforms that connect youth to jobs, internships, apprenticeships, or career opportunities.

This focus area is especially relevant for communities where young people may have limited or unreliable internet access. According to the supplied RFP, approximately 2.2 billion young people globally lack internet access at home, creating barriers to economic participation and mobility.

Proposals should explain how digital access will be connected to meaningful learning, employment, or economic outcomes rather than treating technology distribution as an isolated activity.

3. Building Support for NGO Capacity and Networks

The third focus area supports efforts to strengthen nonprofit organizations’ existing youth employability programmes by integrating AI-enabled tools, training, and resources.

It also encourages organizations to build or expand partnerships and networks across sectors, including:

• Education institutions.
• Nonprofit organizations.
• Technology companies.
• Employers.
• Government agencies.
• Training providers.
• Youth-serving organizations.
• Community groups.
• Research institutions.
• Workforce development organizations.

Potential activities may include:

• Integrating AI tools into existing youth employment programmes.
• Training nonprofit staff to use emerging technologies.
• Developing shared curricula or resources.
• Building cross-sector partnerships.
• Establishing employer networks.
• Sharing best practices.
• Creating learning communities.
• Strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Improving organizational capacity to adapt to changing workforce needs.

The Foundation is interested in solutions that promote continuous learning and adaptation because AI-related skills and labour-market requirements are evolving rapidly.

Funding Amount and Grant Structure

The Citi Foundation plans to award up to 50 restricted grants of US$500,000 each, representing a total commitment of US$25 million.

The grants are expected to be distributed over a 24-month period. The anticipated disbursement structure is:

• US$250,000 in Year 1, expected in 2027
• US$250,000 in Year 2, expected in 2028

The grant period is expected to begin no earlier than June 1, 2027.

Because the grants are restricted, funding must be used for the specific programme and eligible expenses described in the successful application. Organizations should develop realistic budgets that clearly connect proposed costs to programme activities, outcomes, and implementation plans.

Additional Support Beyond the Grant

In addition to financial support, the Citi Foundation intends to explore ways to support selected grantees through:

• Citi employee volunteerism.
• A learning community.
• Knowledge exchange.
• Shared lessons and best practices.
• Networking opportunities.
• Capacity-building activities.
• Opportunities to learn from other grantee organizations.

This additional support may help selected organizations strengthen implementation, improve their approaches, and develop relationships with other organizations working on youth employability and AI readiness.

However, applicants should understand that these additional forms of support are described as potential opportunities and should not be treated as guaranteed benefits beyond the grant award.

Eligible Organizations

The opportunity is intended for registered nonprofit organizations that meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, an organization must generally meet the following conditions:

1. Focus on Low-Income Communities

The organization must demonstrate that its mission or strategic priorities specifically focus on serving low-income individuals or communities.

Applicants should be able to explain:

• Which low-income populations they serve.
• The barriers faced by their target beneficiaries.
• How their proposed programme addresses those barriers.
• Why their organization is well-positioned to deliver the proposed solution.

2. Operate or Deliver Impact in an Eligible Geography

The proposed programme must impact at least one of the Foundation’s target geographies.

An organization does not necessarily need to be headquartered in one of the listed countries or regions. However, the programme for which funding is requested must benefit communities within the Foundation’s eligible geographic scope.

3. Be Registered as a Nonprofit Entity

Organizations must be registered as nonprofit entities under applicable local law.

For example, U.S.-based applicants must generally be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Organizations that require fiscal sponsorship are not eligible for this specific funding opportunity.

4. Have the Required Financial Documentation

Organizations invited to the full application stage must be able to provide externally audited financial statements covering at least part of calendar year 2024 or a subsequent year by the anticipated application deadline in early December 2026.

The audited financial documents must include:

• An auditor’s signed letter.
• Complete financial statements.
• Auditor’s notes.

Organizations that cannot meet this requirement should carefully review the eligibility rules before submitting an LOI.

Learn More HERE

Target Countries and Geographic Eligibility

The Citi Foundation’s target geographies cover selected countries and communities across several regions where Citi has a presence.

Africa

Eligible countries listed in the RFP include:

• Algeria
• Cameroon
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Egypt
• Gabon
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zambia

Asia Pacific

Eligible countries and territories include:

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• South Korea
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Europe

Eligible countries include:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

Middle East

Eligible countries include:

• Bahrain
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Türkiye
• United Arab Emirates

Latin America and the Caribbean

Eligible countries include:

• Argentina
• Bahamas
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

North America

The RFP lists:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Select regions of the United States

The eligible U.S. locations include selected counties, cities, states, territories, and regions in places such as California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Organizations should review the official geographic eligibility table carefully because eligibility in the United States is limited to the specific locations identified in the RFP.

Can Organizations Based Outside the United States Apply?

Yes. Organizations based outside the United States may apply directly if they meet the eligibility requirements and propose programmes that impact one or more of the Foundation’s target geographies.

For organizations based outside the United States, grants may be administered through Charities Aid Foundation America (CAF America). CAF America may request additional information or documentation after the Citi Foundation recommends an award.

CAF America will ultimately make the final approval decision for grants to organizations based outside the United States and will have oversight responsibility during the grant term.

Application Process

The Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge will use a competitive, two-stage application process.

Round 1: Letter of Inquiry

Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Foundation’s grant portal.

The LOI is intended to help the Foundation assess whether the organization and proposed programme align with the goals of the Global Innovation Challenge.

The Foundation will review submissions based on factors including:

• Strategic alignment.
• Feasibility.
• Potential for impact.
• Organizational eligibility.
• Relevance to low-income youth.
• Innovation and practicality of the proposed solution.
• Alignment with the AI and workforce-readiness focus.

Round 2: Full Grant Application

The Foundation aims to notify organizations by the end of November 2026 whether they will be invited to submit a full grant application.

Organizations invited to Round 2 will receive additional instructions regarding:

• The full application process.
• Required documents.
• Detailed programme information.
• Budget requirements.
• Monitoring and evaluation expectations.
• Submission deadlines.
• Grant terms and conditions.

An invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee funding. It is only an invitation to continue in the competitive process.

Final funding decisions are anticipated to be communicated to recipient organizations no later than the end of May 2027.

Learn More and Apply HERE

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit the initial Letter of Inquiry is:

October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. New York Time, Eastern Time.

Applicants should convert the deadline to their local time zone and submit well in advance of the closing time.

The anticipated timeline is as follows:

Stage	Expected Timeline
Global Innovation Challenge launched	September 9, 2026
Letter of Inquiry deadline	October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Notification regarding Round 2 invitations	By the end of November 2026
Anticipated full application deadline	Early December 2026
Expected final funding decisions	No later than the end of May 2027
Earliest expected grant start	June 1, 2027
Grant disbursement period	2027 and 2028
Grant duration	24 months

The Foundation notes that application and announcement timelines may change.

How to Prepare the Letter of Inquiry

The LOI is the first opportunity for an organization to communicate its programme concept to the Foundation. Applicants should use it to present a clear, compelling, and evidence-informed explanation of the proposed solution.

A strong LOI should clearly address the following areas:

1. Define the Problem

Explain the specific barriers low-income youth face in the target community or geography.

For example, the problem may involve:

• Limited access to digital devices.
• Low AI literacy.
• Lack of employment-focused training.
• Skills mismatches.
• Limited access to employers.
• Inadequate career guidance.
• Poor connectivity.
• Lack of opportunities to practise digital skills.

The problem statement should be specific rather than relying only on broad statements about AI or youth unemployment.

2. Describe the Proposed Solution

Explain what the organization intends to implement, improve, pilot, or scale.

The proposal should clarify:

• What the programme will do.
• Who it will serve.
• Where it will operate.
• How it will work.
• Why the approach is innovative.
• How it differs from existing programmes.
• What makes it practical and scalable.

3. Explain the AI and Human-Centric Skills Connection

The programme should demonstrate how it will prepare young people for employment in an AI-influenced economy.

Applicants should explain whether the programme will provide:

• AI fundamentals.
• Prompt engineering.
• Digital content creation.
• AI-enabled tools.
• Digital literacy.
• Critical thinking.
• Creativity.
• Problem-solving.
• Communication.
• Adaptability.
• Resilience.
• Ethical and responsible technology use.

4. Identify Expected Outcomes

Applicants should explain how they will measure progress and impact.

Potential outcomes may include:

• Number of youth trained.
• Number of youth gaining digital or AI skills.
• Number of participants completing training.
• Number of participants accessing employment opportunities.
• Number of youth placed in jobs, internships, or apprenticeships.
• Improvements in digital literacy.
• Improvements in job-readiness skills.
• Increased access to devices or connectivity.
• Employer partnerships established.
• Increased income or economic mobility.
• Improved organizational capacity.

5. Demonstrate Organizational Readiness

The Foundation will want to understand whether the organization has the experience, staff, partnerships, systems, and resources needed to deliver the proposed programme.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:

• Relevant programme experience.
• Knowledge of the target community.
• Qualified staff.
• Implementation capacity.
• Financial management systems.
• Monitoring and evaluation capacity.
• Partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience serving low-income populations.

Eligible Expenses

Funding will be restricted to the programme and expenses defined in the application.

Potential eligible expenses may include:

• Staff salaries.
• Technology.
• Programme materials.
• Training activities.
• Events.
• Research.
• Communications.
• Marketing.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Convenings.
• Overhead.
• Other programme-related costs approved under the grant terms.

Applicants should ensure that every budget item is clearly connected to programme implementation and intended outcomes.

Regranting and Partnerships

Organizations may include regranting in their proposed programme budget if there is a clear programme rationale and implementation plan.

Regranting refers to redistributing part of the Foundation’s funds to another organization, including local affiliates. Vendor payments for goods or services are not considered regrants.

Organizations may also work with partners. However, a single lead organization must submit the LOI on behalf of the partnership.

If a partnership advances to the full application stage and is selected for funding:

• The lead organization will receive the grant.
• The lead organization will be responsible for the full grant award.
• The lead organization will be responsible for programme deliverables.
• The lead organization must ensure that partners comply with the Foundation’s grant terms.

Organizations should agree in advance on roles, responsibilities, governance, financial arrangements, and accountability.

Important Restrictions

Applicants should be aware of several restrictions associated with the grant.

No Fiscal Sponsorship

Organizations that require a fiscal sponsor are not eligible to apply for this specific opportunity.

No Political or Lobbying Activities

Grant funds cannot be used directly or indirectly for political or lobbying purposes. This includes activities such as:

• Participating in or intervening in political campaigns.
• Supporting or opposing political candidates.
• Voter registration activities.
• Get-out-the-vote activities.
• Independent expenditures supporting or opposing political parties or candidates.
• Attempting to influence legislation or legislative bodies.

One LOI per Organization

Eligible nonprofit organizations may submit only one LOI.

Separate organizations should not submit multiple LOIs for the same programme. Local affiliates that are separate legal entities and independently meet the eligibility requirements may apply directly, but the same programme should not be submitted more than once by different entities.

English-Language Submission

LOIs must be submitted in English. Organizations invited to the full application stage must also submit their applications in English, subject to any specific exceptions stated in the application form.

No Individual Applications

Individuals and sole proprietorships are not eligible applicants. The funding is intended for qualifying nonprofit organizations.

Organizations That Will Not Be Considered

The RFP identifies several types of organizations and programmes that will not be considered, including:

• Private foundations, whether operating or nonoperating.
• Organizations that unlawfully discriminate on protected grounds.
• Lobbying organizations.
• Political causes and campaigns.
• Political candidates.
• Memorials.
• Gift-matching initiatives.
• Organizations requiring fiscal sponsorship.
• Organizations that do not meet the stated eligibility requirements.
• Individuals.
• Sole proprietorships.

Applicants should review the complete official terms and eligibility requirements before investing significant time in preparing their submission.

Financial Reporting and Grant Accountability

Selected grantees will be required to submit:

• Interim reports during the grant period.
• A final report through the Foundation’s online grant portal.

These reports are expected to demonstrate programme progress, use of funds, implementation achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and outcomes.

Organizations should therefore have appropriate systems for:

• Financial tracking.
• Programme monitoring.
• Beneficiary data management.
• Outcome measurement.
• Documentation.
• Reporting.
• Compliance with grant conditions.

Practical Tips for Applicants

Organizations considering this funding opportunity can strengthen their preparation by following these recommendations:

1. Confirm eligibility early. Verify nonprofit registration, target geography, low-income community focus, and financial documentation requirements.
2. Choose a specific problem. Avoid presenting a broad proposal about AI. Clearly identify the employment or digital-access challenge affecting the target youth population.
3. Connect AI skills to employment. Explain how training will help participants obtain jobs, internships, apprenticeships, entrepreneurial opportunities, or other meaningful economic pathways.
4. Combine technical and human-centred skills. Include capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and ethical judgment.
5. Demonstrate community relevance. Use evidence, local data, beneficiary insights, employer feedback, or programme experience to show that the proposed solution responds to a real need.
6. Build practical partnerships. Consider partnerships with employers, educational institutions, technology providers, workforce agencies, and youth-serving organizations.
7. Prepare a realistic budget. Ensure that proposed expenses are eligible, justified, and connected to measurable programme activities.
8. Plan for scale and sustainability. Explain how the programme could be expanded, replicated, integrated into existing systems, or sustained after the grant period.
9. Prepare audited financial statements early. Organizations invited to Round 2 will need the required externally audited financial documentation.
10. Draft the LOI offline first. The Foundation advises applicants to download the editable PDF version of the LOI, prepare responses offline, and then transfer the answers into the online form.
11. Save a copy of the submission. Once submitted, applicants may not be able to access the content entered into the online form. Save the completed PDF or a copy of the final submission for organizational records.
12. Submit before the deadline. Do not wait until the final minutes, particularly if multiple people must review or approve the LOI.

Learn More and Apply HERE

Conclusion

The Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026: Preparing Youth for AI represents a major funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations working to improve youth employability, digital inclusion, and economic mobility.

With US$25 million in total funding and expected grants of US$500,000 per selected organization, the challenge seeks innovative solutions that help low-income youth develop AI and digital capabilities while strengthening essential human-centred skills. It also supports efforts to expand digital access and improve the capacity of nonprofit organizations and cross-sector networks.

Eligible organizations should ensure that their proposed programmes serve low-income communities, impact at least one target geography, and demonstrate a clear connection between AI readiness and employment outcomes. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Inquiry by October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Organizations interested in applying should begin by reviewing the official RFP, confirming their eligibility, developing a focused programme concept, preparing a realistic budget, and gathering the necessary organizational and financial information. A strong application should demonstrate not only innovation, but also feasibility, measurable impact, community relevance, and the capacity to help young people participate meaningfully in the future of work.

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