Deadline: 07-Aug-2026
The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards 2026, in partnership with MIT Solve, support nonprofit organizations developing innovative career pathway solutions that prepare workers for the evolving AI economy. Eligible U.S. nonprofits can compete for grants of up to $250,000, while all 15 semifinalists receive a $10,000 capacity-building grant and participate in a leadership support programme.
What are the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards?
The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards are a national funding initiative that recognizes nonprofit organizations helping individuals build the skills needed to succeed in an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI).
The programme supports innovative career pathway solutions that combine workforce development, AI readiness, technical skills training, and career navigation to improve employment opportunities and economic mobility.
Delivered in partnership with MIT Solve, the programme provides funding, capacity building, mentorship, and national recognition for high-impact nonprofit organizations.
Why This Award Matters
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries, creating new job opportunities while changing the skills employers require.
The Inspire Awards aim to:
- Prepare workers for AI-driven careers
- Expand access to workforce training
- Increase AI literacy
- Promote ethical AI adoption
- Improve economic mobility
- Strengthen nonprofit innovation
- Support inclusive workforce development
- Connect learners with industry-recognized career pathways
The programme focuses on ensuring that workers from diverse backgrounds can successfully participate in the future workforce.
Programme Objectives
The Inspire Awards seek to:
- Support innovative nonprofit workforce programmes
- Increase AI readiness among workers
- Expand access to career pathway programmes
- Strengthen technical and digital literacy
- Promote industry-recognized credentials
- Improve career navigation in the AI economy
- Address barriers to workforce participation
- Encourage equitable economic opportunity
Priority Focus Areas
Applicants should demonstrate alignment with one or more of the following programme priorities.
AI-Focused Training and Upskilling
Supported programmes may provide:
- Workforce training
- Technical skills development
- Digital literacy
- Industry-validated credentials
- Professional certifications
- Accessible learning opportunities
AI Readiness and Literacy
Projects may help workers:
- Understand generative AI
- Learn about agentic AI technologies
- Develop practical AI skills
- Build responsible AI knowledge
- Promote ethical AI use
Solutions are not required to focus exclusively on generative AI but should demonstrate relevance to the future AI workforce.
Wraparound Support Services
The programme recognizes that successful workforce participation often requires additional support.
Eligible services may include:
- Childcare assistance
- Transportation support
- Mentorship
- Mental health services
- Benefits navigation
- Other supportive services that improve workforce participation
Career Navigation in the AI Economy
Projects may help individuals:
- Understand changing workforce trends
- Explore AI-related career opportunities
- Make informed career decisions
- Access training programmes
- Connect with industry-recognized credentials
Funding Available
The Inspire Awards provide multiple funding opportunities.
Semifinalist Capacity-Building Grant
The programme will select:
- 15 semifinalists
Each semifinalist receives:
- $10,000 capacity-building grant
Semifinalists also participate in interviews and programme support activities.
Final Grant Awards
Following the support programme, six finalists will present their solutions during a final pitch event.
Available awards include:
- First Place: $250,000
- Second Place: $150,000
- Community Favorite Award: $75,000
- Runner-up Awards: $25,000 each
These grants support the continued growth and expansion of innovative workforce solutions.
Selection Process
The programme follows a multi-stage selection process.
Stage 1: Application Review
Applications are reviewed by Truist Foundation and the Inspire Awards Advisory Council.
Stage 2: Semifinalist Selection
Fifteen organizations are selected as semifinalists.
Each semifinalist receives:
- Capacity-building support
- A $10,000 grant
- Participation in interview sessions
Stage 3: Final Pitch
Six finalists are invited to present their solutions to the Advisory Council and Truist Foundation representatives.
Stage 4: Award Decisions
Grant recipients are selected following the final presentations.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must meet all programme requirements.
Eligible Organizations
Applicants must:
- Be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with the IRS
- Be headquartered within the Truist operating footprint
- Directly serve communities within the eligible service area
Eligible States and Regions
Organizations must be headquartered within one of the following locations:
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Organizational Development Requirements
Organizations must be operating at least at the:
- Growth Stage of Development
Applicants should demonstrate:
- An established programme, service, or business model
- Implementation in one or more communities
- Readiness for future growth and expansion
Solution Development Requirements
The proposed solution must be at least at the:
- Concept Stage of Development
Solutions should demonstrate clear potential for implementation and long-term impact.
Team Lead Requirements
The Team Lead must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Serve as one of the following:
- CEO
- Executive Director
- Primary Investigator
- Another key organisational leader
If selected as a semifinalist or finalist:
- The Team Lead and one additional team member must participate in programme activities.
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme does not support:
- Traditional academic degree programmes
- Educational initiatives without a direct connection to workforce or career pathway development
Projects should clearly demonstrate practical employment outcomes.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organisation:
- Holds valid 501(c)(3) status
- Operates within the Truist service area
- Meets organisational development requirements
Step 2: Assess Programme Alignment
Confirm that your solution supports one or more programme priorities, such as:
- AI workforce readiness
- Career pathways
- Workforce development
- Technical skills
- Career navigation
- Wraparound services
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Develop a proposal describing:
- The workforce challenge
- Your solution
- Target population
- Expected outcomes
- Innovation approach
- Organisational capacity
- Growth strategy
Step 4: Highlight Organisational Impact
Demonstrate:
- Community impact
- Programme effectiveness
- Workforce outcomes
- Innovation
- Scalability
Provide evidence where available.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Complete the application and submit all required information before the official deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can strengthen their submissions by:
- Demonstrating measurable workforce outcomes
- Showing alignment with AI workforce trends
- Explaining long-term sustainability
- Highlighting innovation
- Providing evidence of community impact
- Demonstrating organisational readiness for growth
- Including strong leadership capacity
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following:
- Focusing solely on traditional education programmes
- Failing to demonstrate workforce outcomes
- Providing weak evidence of organisational capacity
- Ignoring AI workforce relevance
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Failing to explain scalability
- Not addressing participant support needs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards?
The Inspire Awards are a funding programme supporting nonprofit organisations that develop innovative AI-focused career pathway solutions and workforce development programmes.
How much funding is available?
Awards include:
- $250,000 First Place
- $150,000 Second Place
- $75,000 Community Favorite Award
- $25,000 for each runner-up
- $10,000 capacity-building grants for all 15 semifinalists
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organisations with IRS 501(c)(3) status headquartered within the Truist operating footprint and serving eligible communities.
Does my programme need to focus only on generative AI?
No. Solutions do not need to focus exclusively on generative AI but should demonstrate alignment with AI workforce readiness and career pathway objectives.
What types of programmes are encouraged?
The programme supports workforce training, AI literacy, technical skills development, industry-recognized credentials, career navigation, and wraparound support services.
Are traditional degree programmes eligible?
No. The programme does not support traditional degree programmes or educational initiatives without a clear connection to workforce and career pathway development.
Who must participate if selected?
If selected as a semifinalist or finalist, the Team Lead and one additional team member must participate in programme activities.
Conclusion
The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards 2026 provide a significant opportunity for nonprofit organisations to expand innovative workforce programmes that prepare individuals for careers in the AI economy.
With grant awards of up to $250,000, capacity-building support, mentorship, and national visibility through MIT Solve and the Truist Foundation, the programme helps organisations develop scalable career pathway solutions that improve workforce readiness, promote AI literacy, and create lasting economic opportunities for communities across the Truist service region.
For more information, visit Truist Foundation.