Rural AI Catalyst Fund
A national initiative helping rural communities build the skills, capacity, and partnerships to thrive in an AI-enabled economy. Managed by TechSoup with support from Google and the Nasdaq Foundation.
The Rural AI Catalyst Fund is a national initiative designed to help rural communities build the skills, capacity, and partnerships needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy. Managed by TechSoup with support from Google and the Nasdaq Foundation, the fund invests in place-based solutions that strengthen local innovation, expand workforce opportunities, and increase organizational capacity.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, the Rural AI Catalyst Fund supports locally driven approaches that reflect the unique economic, cultural, and community priorities of rural regions. The initiative is designed to help organizations prepare young people and workers for emerging career opportunities, strengthen the sectors that are foundational to rural economies, and use data and AI to solve real community challenges. By investing in trusted local organizations, the Rural AI Catalyst Fund aims to ensure that rural communities are not only prepared for the future of work but are also active leaders in creating it.
We are seeking community-based organizations with strong local relationships that are ready to use AI and data to address meaningful rural challenges. Applicants do not need to be AI experts or technology organizations. We are looking for organizations that understand the needs of their communities and are committed to building the skills, partnerships, and capacity needed to create lasting impact.
Organizations selected for funding will have access to financial support as well as opportunities for technical assistance, AI and data upskilling, and collaborative learning through TechSoup and its network of partners.
The Rural AI Catalyst Fund is seeking organizations that are ready to lead community-centered innovation and help shape the future of rural America by
Expanding AI literacy, workforce development, and employability pathways for youth and workers
Building AI and data capacity within critical rural sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and small business
Strengthening local organizations through practical, business-aligned AI solutions that improve services, decision-making, and long-term resilience
Projects will use AI and data tools to drive meaningful change in rural communities. These tools may include practical applications such as generative AI, predictive analytics, machine learning, workflow automation, or natural language processing, among others. Projects won’t be judged on whether they use AI, but on how AI helps them advance one of the four strategic pillars:
Projects that strengthen rural agricultural economies through the responsible use of AI and data technologies. Competitive projects will help farmers, agricultural workers, producers, cooperatives, or agricultural support organizations improve productivity, sustainability, workforce skills, or business resilience.
Projects that help rural learners, educators, and educational institutions prepare for an AI-enabled future by expanding digital skills, improving learning outcomes, and strengthening educational capacity.
Projects that improve healthcare access, workforce capacity, operational efficiency, or health outcomes in rural communities through practical applications of AI and data.
Projects that help rural entrepreneurs and small businesses adopt AI and data tools to increase competitiveness, improve productivity, and create economic opportunity.
The Rural AI Catalyst Fund seeks ambitious, scalable projects capable of creating measurable community impact. Projects should be appropriately scoped for grants of $250,000 or $500,000. The expected implementation period is up to 12 months. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. Organizations must meet all requirements.
Applications are reviewed against the following criteria:
Does the project seek to solve a pressing rural challenge in a new way?
Does the project meet the unique needs of rural communities?
Is AI used in a meaningful way to strengthen outcomes rather than simply adding technology?
Will the project create measurable benefits for the community?
Are the timeline, staffing, and budget realistic?
Sep 8, 2026
Application deadline, 11:59 p.m. Pacific time
Nov 2026
Awards announced
End of 2026
Funds distributed
Up to 12 months
Project implementation period
Reporting. Grant recipients are responsible for submitting all required reporting to TechSoup in a timely manner. Reports may include narrative information about the projects, metrics on project objectives, and financial reporting. TechSoup has a zero-tolerance policy concerning fraud. Any misrepresentation of project activities or apparent mismanagement of grant funds is taken seriously.
Before you invest time in preparing an application, please review the attached checklist. Competitive applicants should be able to answer Yes to each question below.
Organization type
We are one of the following eligible organization types:
Location
Rural community
Our project serves a community that meets the Rural AI Catalyst Fund’s rural eligibility criteria:
Organizational capacity
Organizational readiness
AI component
Our proposed project includes a meaningful use of AI or data tools. (The AI component should be central to the project, not simply an add-on or incidental activity.)
Examples:
Strategic focus area
Our project primarily supports at least one of the following sectors:
Community benefit
Workforce impact
Our project helps prepare people or organizations for an AI-enabled economy by doing one or more of the following:
Appropriate scale
Before you apply, be prepared to provide the following:
If you answered Yes to all of the questions above, your organization is likely a good candidate to apply. If you answered No to one or more questions, we encourage you to review the eligibility requirements carefully before you submit an application, or you can contact the Rural AI Catalyst Fund team with questions.
Applications must be completed and submitted through TechSoup’s grant management system, Optible. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.
Create an Optible account. You will need an account through Optible to complete your application.
Complete your application. You can save your application and return to it later.
Submit before the deadline. Applications are due September 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
If you have questions about this project or the application process, please contact raicf@techsoup.org.
Yes, you can apply with a partner organization, although each organization needs to meet organizational and programmatic eligibility criteria.
Each organization should submit one application. However, if future opportunities through the Rural AI Catalyst Fund arise, grantees may be eligible to apply again.
Yes, you may apply if you already have an established fiscal sponsor.
Applications are restricted to either $250,000 or $500,000 at this time.
Yes. Projects may serve communities in more than one state. However, all communities included in the project must meet the eligibility requirements.
Yes, please include indirect costs (equipment, professional fees, etc.) in your project budget.
Yes, equipment used during the project will be considered.
No, your headquarters does not need to be rural. Please review the eligibility criteria for communities served.
Awards will be announced in November 2026.
Rural communities are not only preparing for the future of work, they are leading it. If your organization is ready to build AI and data capacity where it is needed most, we want to hear from you.
Applications are submitted through Optible. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.