Artificial intelligence is opening up new avenues for companies to innovate and make people’s lives better. With public health care, tackling climate issues, and improving access to education, work, and public services, we are helping harness the power of AI to deliver solutions for global challenges.
But the majority of nonprofit and local authorities still struggle to use them. Insufficient budgets, skills gaps, underdeveloped infrastructure, and data protection issues can all hinder their effective use.
To address this need, the Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation announced a $50 million global effort, “Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services,” to fund nonprofit and civil society organizations, in partnership with city governments, to create and deploy new artificial intelligence solutions for public services that will positively impact local communities.
This effort, which has grants from $500,000 up to $2 million available, could provide a big funding boost for groups that want to leverage technology for social good.
Applications are now open, and the first round is November 29, 2026.
What Is the $50 Million Cities Deliver Initiative?
Cities Deliver is a global funding initiative launched on October 14, 2026, by The Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation.
The main objective is to help cities use artificial intelligence to improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of public services. The initiative will support organizations that work closely with city governments to identify community challenges and develop practical AI-based solutions.
The program aims to reach up to 100 million city residents worldwide through projects that address important social and environmental issues.
Rather than focusing only on developing new technology, Cities Deliver emphasizes using AI to solve problems that people experience in their everyday lives. This could include helping healthcare workers identify disease outbreaks earlier, improving emergency communication during floods, connecting unemployed residents with job opportunities, or making government services easier to access.
The initiative also recognizes that successful AI projects require more than technology. They need local knowledge, community participation, reliable partnerships, and a clear understanding of the problems they are trying to solve.
For NGOs and social impact organizations, this creates an opportunity to bring their community-level experience together with advanced AI capabilities.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation have committed a total of $50 million to the Cities Deliver initiative.
Selected organizations can receive grants ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, depending on the stage of their proposed project.
The funding is divided into two categories:
1. Seed Funding: $500,000 to Less Than $1 Million
This funding category is designed for organizations that have an early-stage idea and are ready to test it through their first city-based pilot project.
The funding can help organizations:
- Develop and improve an AI-based solution with city government partners.
- Build and test an initial prototype.
- Conduct pilot projects with real users.
- Understand whether the solution addresses the identified community problem.
- Evaluate the possibility of expanding the project in the future.
For example, an NGO working in public health might propose an AI-powered system that helps local health departments identify communities at greater risk of disease outbreaks.
2. Scale Funding: $1 Million to $2 Million
This category is intended for organizations that have already tested their solutions in a city and have demonstrated promising early results.
The funding can support organizations in:
- Expanding an existing AI project within a city.
- Introducing a successful solution to additional cities.
- Reaching more people and underserved communities.
- Improving the technology and its integration with existing public systems.
- Developing a sustainable model for long-term implementation.
For example, an organization that has successfully tested an AI-powered flood warning system in one city could seek funding to expand the system to other areas facing similar climate risks.
Both funding categories support projects over a period of 24 months. Grants are generally disbursed in two stages, with 50% provided at the beginning and the remaining 50% released after a documented mid-term milestone.
Four Key Areas Where NGOs Can Make an Impact
Cities Deliver focuses on four major areas where AI can help improve public services and address community challenges.
1. Public Health: Making Healthcare More Accessible
Access to quality healthcare remains a major challenge in many communities, particularly in underserved and low-income areas. Local healthcare systems often struggle with limited resources, staff shortages, increasing patient needs, and difficulties identifying health risks early.
AI can help organizations improve healthcare delivery by analyzing health information, identifying patterns, and supporting faster decision-making.
NGOs working in public health could develop solutions such as:
- AI-powered systems for identifying and predicting disease outbreaks.
- Tools that help healthcare workers monitor community health trends.
- Digital platforms that connect people with healthcare services.
- AI-based solutions that improve disability support and access to essential services.
- Systems that help identify gaps in food access, nutrition, and preventive healthcare.
For instance, an AI-powered disease surveillance system could analyze available health and environmental information to identify areas where a disease outbreak may become more likely. This would help health authorities and community organizations plan preventive measures and respond earlier.
The goal is not to replace doctors or healthcare workers but to provide them with better information and tools to serve communities effectively.
2. Economic Mobility: Creating Better Employment Opportunities
Unemployment, limited access to skills training, and financial difficulties continue to affect millions of people. Many individuals struggle to find suitable employment or access government benefits because information and opportunities are not easily available.
AI can help address these challenges by connecting people with relevant opportunities and making employment-related services more accessible.
Potential projects could include:
- AI-powered job-matching platforms for unemployed residents.
- Digital tools that connect people with skill development programs.
- Systems that help individuals identify government employment benefits.
- AI-based career guidance and vocational training support.
- Platforms that connect local employers with skilled workers.
For example, an NGO working with unemployed youth could collaborate with a city government to develop an AI-powered career guidance platform. The platform could understand an individual’s existing skills, identify training gaps, and recommend suitable employment opportunities.
Such solutions could help people make better career decisions while supporting local economic development.
3. Environmental Resilience: Preparing Cities for Climate Challenges
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of environmental challenges, including floods, heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events.
Cities often face difficulties predicting these events, identifying vulnerable areas, and coordinating emergency responses. These challenges are especially serious for communities living in high-risk locations.
AI can help cities prepare for environmental risks and respond more effectively.
NGOs and social impact organizations could explore projects such as:
- AI-powered flood forecasting and early warning systems.
- Tools for monitoring extreme weather conditions.
- Platforms that identify communities most vulnerable to climate risks.
- AI-based systems for improving emergency response coordination.
- Solutions for monitoring energy infrastructure and environmental changes.
For example, an NGO working in disaster management could partner with a city government to develop an AI-powered flood prediction system. By analyzing rainfall patterns, weather forecasts, and local environmental data, the system could help authorities identify high-risk areas and issue timely warnings.
This could give residents more time to prepare, help emergency teams plan their response, and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
4. Civic Engagement: Making Government Services More Accessible
Many residents struggle to access government services because information is difficult to understand, communication channels are limited, or administrative processes take too much time.
Civic engagement focuses on improving communication between citizens and local governments so that people can access services and participate in decisions affecting their communities.
AI can make these interactions faster, simpler, and more inclusive.
Possible solutions include:
- AI-powered chatbots that answer questions about public services.
- Multilingual digital platforms that help residents access government information.
- Tools that collect and organize community feedback.
- AI systems that help local governments respond to public service requests.
- Digital platforms that simplify access to permits, court services, and administrative information.
For example, an organization could develop a multilingual AI chatbot that allows residents to report problems, ask questions about public services, and receive information in their preferred language.
This could be especially helpful for people who face language barriers or have limited experience using government websites.
However, the initiative does not support projects related to voting or elections under its civic engagement category.
How AI Can Help NGOs Develop Solutions for Real-World Problems
One of the most important aspects of Cities Deliver is its focus on practical AI applications.
The initiative encourages organizations to identify a genuine community problem first and then explore how AI can help address it.
For NGOs, this means AI should be connected to their existing work rather than introduced simply because it is a new technology.
Here are a few ways organizations could use AI to develop meaningful solutions:
Early identification of community needs: AI can analyze relevant information to help organizations understand which communities need support, identify service gaps and recognize emerging challenges.
Better planning and decision-making: By analyzing available data, AI tools can help organizations and local authorities understand trends and make more informed decisions.
Faster emergency responses: AI-powered forecasting and communication systems can help authorities prepare for disasters, identify high-risk areas and share important information with residents.
Improved access to public services: AI chatbots and multilingual platforms can make government information easier to understand and help residents navigate essential services.
More effective use of resources: AI can help organizations identify where resources are needed most and improve the coordination of services.
However, organizations must ensure that these solutions are reliable, secure and developed around the actual needs of the communities they serve.
Who Can Apply for the $50 Million Funding Opportunity?
The initiative is open to eligible organizations working with city governments on projects that provide a clear public benefit.
Eligible lead applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations.
- University laboratories and research institutions.
- Fiscally sponsored organizations.
- Public benefit corporations.
- Certain for-profit organizations, in limited circumstances, where the project serves a charitable purpose and provides no more than incidental benefits to the company’s business.
However, there are some important conditions.
A city government partnership is essential. Every proposed project must include a city government partner that is committed to working with the applicant.
City governments cannot apply directly as the lead applicant. Instead, an eligible organization must lead the project and demonstrate its partnership with the relevant city government.
Projects must also serve a charitable purpose, particularly by benefiting underserved, vulnerable or disadvantaged communities or promoting social welfare.
Another important requirement is that AI must play a meaningful role in the proposed solution. Simply adding a basic chatbot or using AI for routine administrative work may not be enough. The project should demonstrate how advanced AI capabilities can help address a significant public service challenge.
Applicants should also demonstrate that they can implement the solution responsibly, measure its impact and develop a realistic plan for long-term sustainability.
What Makes This Initiative Different?
There are several reasons why Cities Deliver stands out as an important funding opportunity for the nonprofit and social impact sector.
1. Focus on practical solutions
The initiative is not limited to theoretical research or technology development. It supports projects that can be tested, implemented and used to improve actual public services.
2. Encourages collaboration
The program brings together nonprofit organizations, city governments, technical experts and other partners. This approach can help organizations combine local experience with technical knowledge.
3. Supports both early-stage and established projects
Through its Seed and Scale funding categories, the initiative provides opportunities for organizations at different stages of project development.
4. Focuses on underserved communities
The initiative places particular importance on improving services for vulnerable and underserved populations. This ensures that technology is connected to real social needs rather than only technological innovation.
5. Does not require OpenAI technology
An important detail is that applicants are free to select the AI models and products that best suit their projects. There is no requirement or preference to use OpenAI technology.
This allows organizations to choose solutions based on their needs, available resources and implementation requirements.
Previous Projects Show How AI Can Improve City Services
Cities Deliver also builds on earlier work supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI.
Their collaboration began with discussions involving more than 40 civic leaders from six continents in 2023. These discussions explored how AI could help cities improve public services and respond to community needs.
Some early projects in different parts of the world demonstrate how these ideas can work in practice.
Dengue.AI in Cali, Colombia
In Cali, an AI-powered solution called Dengue.AI helps public health authorities anticipate dengue outbreaks up to three weeks in advance. This information can support earlier preventive action and help health teams prepare for potential increases in cases.
AI-powered resident engagement in Cape Town, South Africa
In Cape Town, an AI-powered communication platform helps residents interact with local government through familiar digital channels. It aims to make public information and government services more accessible.
Flood alerts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In Rio de Janeiro, an AI-enabled WhatsApp system helps connect flood alerts and reports from residents with emergency response systems. This can support faster communication during extreme weather events.
These examples demonstrate that AI can serve a much larger purpose than automating routine tasks. When developed with local governments and communities, it can help improve healthcare, strengthen disaster preparedness and make public services more responsive.
Cities Deliver aims to build on these experiences and support similar solutions in more cities around the world.
How NGOs Can Prepare a Strong Application
For NGOs interested in applying, the first step should be to understand the problem they want to solve and determine whether their proposed solution meets the initiative’s requirements.
Here are some practical steps organizations can follow:
1. Identify a specific community problem
Start by identifying an important issue affecting residents in a particular city. It could involve public healthcare, unemployment, climate risks or access to government services.
Avoid proposing a general AI project without explaining the actual problem it will address.
2. Connect with a city government partner
Since a committed city government partnership is mandatory, NGOs should identify relevant departments and local authorities that understand the problem and are willing to collaborate.
3. Explain how AI will contribute
Clearly describe how AI will help solve the identified problem. Explain why AI is necessary, what capabilities the proposed solution will use and how it will improve existing services.
4. Demonstrate measurable impact
Funders need to understand what success will look like. Organizations should identify measurable outcomes, such as the number of residents reached, improvements in response times, better access to healthcare or increased participation in public services.
5. Address privacy and responsible AI
Projects involving public services may handle sensitive personal information. NGOs should explain how they will protect data, reduce potential bias, maintain transparency and ensure that people remain involved in important decisions.
6. Develop a sustainability plan
Organizations should explain how the project can continue after the 24-month grant period. This may involve government partnerships, integration with existing systems, staff training or other long-term funding arrangements.
A strong application should demonstrate not only that the technology can work but also that the organization and its city partner are prepared to implement it successfully.
Important Application Dates and Funding Details
Organizations interested in this opportunity should pay close attention to the following details:
- Initiative: Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services
- Funding partners: The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation
- Total funding commitment: $50 million
- Grant amount: $500,000 to $2 million
- Project duration: 24 months
- Application opening date: October 14, 2026
- First-round application deadline: November 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- Interview stage: January 2027
- Second-round proposal deadline: March 1, 2027 (for invited applicants)
- Expected final selection: April 2027
The first-round application requires an eligibility screening, a proposal and a short video. Organizations that progress through the selection process will be invited to participate in interviews and potentially submit a more detailed second-round proposal.
Applicants should review the official eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and application documents before preparing their submissions.
What This Funding Opportunity Means for NGOs
The $50 million Cities Deliver is a valuable first step towards harnessing AI in service of social progress.
A lot of NGOs don’t have the resources or expertise to invest in cutting-edge technology. Grants like this can enable them to move on from small pilot projects and develop solutions for scaling up.
More significantly, the initiative acknowledges the importance of having organisations which already identify with the issues in their community.
NGOs have been active in areas like public health, employment, climate change, disaster management and community development for many years. Their expertise and local connections can be valuable in making AI solutions context-specific, open and accessible.
AI must also be used with responsibility The scale of AI adoption means that we must think about how we use it. For example, we need to be aware of the data and privacy implications, in addition to its fairness and transparency, particularly when working with vulnerable communities.
The user of technology in NGO and public institutions should be to complement; not to substitute; the work of people or the involvement of the people they serve.
Conclusion: Turning AI Innovation into Meaningful Social Impact
The collaboration between The Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation speaks to the broader use of AI by public sector solutions.
The two foundations are providing a $50 million investment through theCities Deliver initiative that will help nonprofits, civil society organizations and social impact institutions deliver AI solutions to address public health, economic mobility, environmental resiliency and civic participation.
This is a chance for NGOs to use their awareness of local issues and the power of high technology.
The real benefit of AI is not just to accelerate or automate processes, but to enable organisations to reach more communities, better anticipate community needs, and enhance the services that people rely on every day.
Done well, through the right partnerships, considerate planning and community centricity, AI can be leveraged to create more inclusive, resilient and responsive cities.
NGOs and social impact organizations interested in this opportunity should review the eligibility criteria and begin preparing their applications before the November 29, 2026 deadline.
