In recent years the future of work and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) have become inseparable conversations. Those touting AI’s positive capabilities often raise its potential to accelerate work, lower barriers for small businesses, and free workers from mundane tasks. Others hold serious concerns that generative AI will have a negative impact on workers if they are not adequately included in the design and implementation processes. Moreover, a recent survey shows that 52% of American workers are concerned that AI will replace their jobs. Despite such concerns from experts and workers alike, 50% of employed American adults report that they use AI at work at least a few times a year. While AI use in the workplace is on the rise, alongside concerns over its effects on the workforce, there remains a clear need to support workers navigating this new age of AI.
Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:
Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.
Awards:-
Truist Foundation and the Inspire Awards Advisory Council Members will select 15 semifinalists. After semifinalists participate in an interview session with the Advisory Council Members and Truist Foundation, all semifinalists will each receive a $10,000 capacity-building grant. In addition to grant funding, Truist Foundation is excited to offer all semifinalists access to a variety of capacity-building resources, including consultants, subject matter experts, resources, and workshops where our nonprofit partners will have the chance to receive insights on industry best practices and the opportunity for no-cost program support that will help reinforce and maintain the success and sustainability of their inspiring community programs.
A cohort of six finalists will be chosen by Truist Foundation to move to the finalist stage and participate in a capacity-building, wraparound support program. Please note that it is necessary for a member of the leadership team to represent your solution as the Team Lead and attend all elements of the support program. Additionally, we ask that a secondary delegate joins the majority of support program opportunities as well.
At the conclusion of the support program, the six finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions in front of distinguished Advisory Council Members and Truist Foundation for the opportunity to receive the following grant awards:
- $250,000 for the First Place Grant Award
- $150,000 for the Second Place Grant Award
- $75,000 for the Community Favorite Grant Award, regardless of status as a runner-up, first-place, or second-place grant award winner
- $25,000 grant for each runner-up team
Finalist Support Program
All finalists will be required to participate in a six-month tailored support program run by MIT Solve and Truist Foundation that will include:
- A comprehensive needs assessment followed by monthly check-ins to connect finalists to in-kind resources and provide space for ongoing support.
- Learning and development modules aimed at refining business model, theory of change, and plans for scaling.
- A peer-to-peer network to build a community of practice with dedicated spaces to convene throughout the duration of the support program.
- Workshops focused on refining the finalist solutions and pitch consultation to help prepare for the Advisory Council interview.
- Wraparound services including an in-person trip to the Truist headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Truist Leadership Institute in Greensboro, NC
Deadline:- 07-08-2026
