Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Accelerate Charitable Giving

The Gates Foundation's Philanthropic Partnerships Team (PPT) has launched a Grand Challenges Request for Proposals titled "AI to Accelerate Charitable Giving." This initiative aims to investigate how artificial intelligence can enhance philanthropic practices and unlock new avenues for generosity, particularly by encouraging donors to give more frequently and in larger amounts.

The Foundation's PPT is dedicated to mobilizing resources and cultivating advocates for global health and development (GH&D), with a mission to improve health outcomes, economic opportunities, and overall human well-being in low- and middle-income countries. The program offers awards of up to ₹1.4 crore per project, with a grant duration of up to one year. Project budgets should align with the scope and complexity of the proposed work, and indirect costs are permissible within the total requested funding.

Funding can be utilized to develop donor-facing applications and foundational giving systems that test innovative AI applications. The program seeks to generate practical evidence and examples that can inform broader philanthropic practices, with a specific interest in solutions that increase support for GH&D initiatives. Proposals are encouraged to address key challenge areas, such as helping donors connect with relevant causes, converting initial interest into actual donations, and establishing core systems and infrastructure for AI-powered giving.

Beyond financial assistance, the program provides opportunities for project teams to participate in virtual and/or in-person learning convenings. These sessions facilitate interaction, insight sharing, and collaboration among peer grantees, fostering a community focused on AI in philanthropy. The Foundation emphasizes a thoughtful approach to ethical considerations in AI design, testing, and deployment, aligning with principles of mission alignment, community-informed solutions, risk mitigation, data responsibility, broad benefit, and transparency.

• Grant funding of up to ₹1.4 crore for AI solutions.
• Focus on accelerating charitable giving for global health and development.
• Open to nonprofits, mission-driven for-profits, and consortia.
• Projects must integrate AI as a central component and demonstrate responsible AI practices.
• Opportunity to participate in learning convenings with peer grantees.
• Grant duration of up to one year, with indirect costs allowed.

Applicants for this program must be capable of conducting all project activities and reporting in English. A willingness and ability to participate in up to three virtual and/or in-person learning convenings with other grantees over the one-year grant period is also required.

Eligible entities include:

• Nonprofit and Civil Society Organizations, such as registered nonprofits, charities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations.
• Mission-Driven For-Profit Organizations, provided they possess a clear public-benefit mission that aligns with the Request for Proposals' objectives. For-profit entities' proposed activities must advance equitable, responsible, or safe uses of AI for societal benefit; funding cannot be used for core commercial product development or general business operations.
• Consortia, Partnerships, and other collaborative arrangements, with one designated lead organization serving as the primary applicant.

All proposals must address the central question of how AI can assist donors in giving more and giving sooner. They must identify at least one challenge area and clearly demonstrate how the proposed solution aligns with it. Proposed solutions must integrate AI as a central component and show clear relevance to donor decision-making and charitable giving, including applicability to global health and development.

Projects must include a practical plan to test, measure, and generate actionable learning within the grant period that can inform broader philanthropic practice. Furthermore, proposals must incorporate responsible AI practices and safeguards, identifying and planning to mitigate risks related to fairness, transparency, privacy, and data governance.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Accelerate Charitable Giving accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Recipients can receive up to ₹1.4 crore in funding for a duration of up to one year. Indirect costs are permitted within the total requested amount. Travel expenses for mandatory in-person convenings with other grantees, hosted by the Gates Foundation, will be covered separately by the Foundation, allowing project budgets to focus on other operational and travel needs.

Beyond financial support, grantees gain access to valuable virtual and in-person learning sessions. These convenings provide opportunities to interact with peer grantees, share insights, collaborate on challenges, and cultivate a robust community of practice focused on the application of AI in philanthropy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Accelerate Charitable Giving is offered by Gates Foundation, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by Gates Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Accelerate Charitable Giving, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

• Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as private limited and llp
• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Accelerate Charitable Giving is best suited for idea and product-stage ai saas enterprise and edtech social impact startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.4Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.