About the Opportunity
The GitLab Foundation, in partnership with OpenAI, is launching the third round of the AI for Economic Opportunity Fund (2025) — a global philanthropic initiative that empowers organizations using artificial intelligenceto unlock economic mobility and income growth for millions.
This year’s fund seeks bold, high-impact projects that use AI to:
💼 Expand access to education, training, and employment
📊 Unlock data for social impact
🤝 Make essential services more affordable and inclusive
🌍 Build new pathways for workers to thrive in the digital economy
Selected projects will receive $250,000 in seed funding, technical mentorship from OpenAI engineers, and the chance to present at a Demo Day in San Francisco in 2026.
🗓️ Application Deadline: 31 October 2025 (5 p.m. PT)
🏛️ Organizer: GitLab Foundation in partnership with OpenAI
🌐 Funding Amount: $250,000 (seed grant)
💬 Eligible Applicants: Primarily US-based nonprofit organizations (international implementation possible)
🚀 What Selected Grantees Receive
✔️ $250,000 seed funding to prototype and demonstrate progress
🤖 Six months of technical support from OpenAI engineers and advisors
💳 API credits and access to AI tools for testing and deployment
🌍 Peer learning within a global network of innovators and funders
💡 Eligibility for additional scaling capital from partner investors
🎤 Showcase opportunity at the 2026 OpenAI Demo Day
📅 Timeline
🗓️ September 22, 2025 – Public announcement and applications open
🗓️ October 31, 2025 – Concept note deadline (5 p.m. PT)
🗓️ November 14, 2025 – Finalists notified
🗓️ December 12, 2025 – Finalist applications due
🗓️ Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 – Final grantees selected
🗓️ March 2026 – Cohort 3 orientation
🗓️ Aug–Sept 2026 – Demo Day at OpenAI HQ
🌍 Who Can Apply
✅ US-based nonprofit organizations (programs can operate globally)
🤝 Partnerships encouraged — nonprofits + for-profit startups or consultants
💡 For-profit social enterprises may apply if mission-aligned (through a fiscal sponsor or nonprofit intermediary)
Applicants may submit up to three concept proposals addressing AI-driven solutions that meaningfully transform the systems shaping economic opportunity.
💬 Example Project Areas
- AI tools for personalized career guidance and skill development
- Machine learning systems that improve access to education or benefits
- Data-driven innovations for workforce inclusion
- Ethical AI models that promote fair economic participation
📩 How to Apply
🌐 Official Website: https://www.gitlabfoundation.org/futureofwork
📝 Application Form: Google Form
📅 Deadline: 31 October 2025 (5 p.m. Pacific Time)
