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While four in five nonprofits feel that generative AI is applicable to their work, nearly half are not using the technology due to a lack of awareness, tools, funding, and training. To help address these barriers, Google.org launched a Generative AI Accelerator in 2024, helping 21 organizations build gen AI-powered solutions that collectively expect to reach more than 30 million beneficiaries over the next three years.
Now, to help even more organizations harness gen AI for social impact, Google.org is launching an open call from January 7 to February 10, 2025 for the second cohort of the Generative AI Accelerator.
This global open call is looking for nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions, and social enterprises to apply to participate in the Generative AI Accelerator. Selected organizations will receive a share of $30M alongside 6 months of structured support with access to dedicated pro bono assistance from Google employees, technical training, and Google Cloud credits to build socially impactful gen AI-powered solutions across Google.org’s three focus areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Learning; Scientific Advancement; and Resilient Communities.
Focus areas
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Knowledge, Skills, and Learning
Provide pathways for people to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
- AI Literacy & Fluency: Equip people with a foundational understanding of AI, including the basic knowledge and skills to effectively utilize AI tools and technologies in various contexts.
- Career & Workforce Readiness: Provide industry-aligned digital skills training and comprehensive support to help job seekers land in-demand jobs with pathways to upward mobility and economic opportunity.
- Technology-Enabled Teaching & Learning: Leverage technology and AI to make education more accessible, engaging, and personalized to learners at every level.
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Scientific Advancement
Accelerate breakthroughs and AI-enabled scientific innovation that enables technology to be used for good in the world. Collaborations between academic or research institutions and other organizations like nonprofits that together bridge research with practical application are encouraged.
- Applied Science: Drive impact for top social and environmental issues by catalyzing and enabling cutting-edge AI-enabled solutions. We’re interested in applications that aim to improve scientific discovery, and those that use AI to drive socially beneficial outcomes in domains such as climate, society & AI, and health.
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Resilient Communities
Contribute to building resilient local communities and a safe digital world.
- Stronger Societies: Enable individuals to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, promoting digital wellbeing, fostering civic engagement and societal debate, and helping create cohesive communities.
- A Safer Internet: Leverage AI and technology to create a safer internet, protecting people and organizations at risk from bad actors and helping those most vulnerable to online harms.
- Crisis Response: Enable rapid action to help communities affected by natural disasters and complex humanitarian crises, and empower the nonprofit ecosystem with the tools it needs to respond.
Expectations
Selected organizations will receive support to build a gen AI-powered social impact solution by participating in the 6 month Generative AI Accelerator and receiving anywhere from $500k up to $2M+ in funding.
The Accelerator program includes pro bono assistance from Google employees, technical training, and access to Google Cloud credits to build with the best of Google Cloud Platform's AI & ML tools including Vertex AI and Gemini. We expect at least one Executive Director or Decision Maker and one Technical Project Lead from each selected organization to commit ~4 hours per week, and the program will culminate in a Demo Day where participants present their prototypes. Funding can be used over 30 months to support prototype development during the 6 month Accelerator, and for launching and scaling the product after completing the program.
Criteria
Before applying, ensure your project can demonstrate the following:
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Feasibility
Is the proposed generative AI solution grounded in research, data, and/or a proven track record? Does the proposal outline a realistic plan for execution with access to the data, models, and technical or domain expertise needed to responsibly apply gen AI to the problem? Does the proposal leverage necessary resources including budget or partners to implement the project?
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Impactful use of Generative AI
Is the application of generative AI integral to the project? Does the proposal apply new or existing gen AI technology to address a critical problem in a priority topic area in an innovative and appropriate way? Does the proposal articulate an expectation of significant and measurable positive outcomes for end beneficiaries?
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Scalability
If successful, can the project scale to benefit the broader sector by extending its impact across use cases and borders? Can the solution be open sourced? Does the proposed solution have existing demand from potential users and buy-in from the sector? Will the project continue and grow beyond support from Google.org?
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Accelerator Participation
Is there a desire and commitment to fully participate in the 6-month Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI? Does the proposal address how Google.org Accelerator offerings will advance the project to develop a technical prototype over the course of the program?
Examples from our alumni
Participants in the inaugural Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI built solutions spanning multiple sectors, from improving healthcare delivery or personalizing education, to advancing climate action or combating misinformation. Here are a few examples:
Resources
This article may be a helpful starting point for those interested in learning more about generative AI. We’re also making tools and resources available so that anyone, including social impact organizations, can use technology to solve problems. View free Google for Nonprofits AI resources to help eligible nonprofits with everything from sparking creativity to boosting productivity. And, whether you’re just getting started or are already an expert, you may find Google's responsible AI principles and this guide on human-centered AI product development helpful:
