MacArthur Foundation Commits $10 Million to Advance People-Centered AI Through Humanity AI

February 12th, 2026

The MacArthur Foundation has announced $10 million in aligned grantmaking to support Humanity AI, a broad philanthropic initiative aimed at ensuring artificial intelligence (AI) is developed by and for people, with societal benefit at its core.

Humanity AI was launched in 2025 as a multi-foundation coalition committing up to $500 million over five years to build a more human(e) future with AI, where communities have agency in shaping technology rather than technology shaping them. The initiative brings together major funders who believe AI should advance democracy, equity, creativity, and public wellbeing — not just commercial priorities.

The recent $10 million aligned support from MacArthur moves this initiative into active grantmaking by resourcing organisations working on AI governance, research, and public interest innovation. According to MacArthur, this aligned funding is intended to bolster civil society capacity to influence how AI is governed and used — particularly in areas where societal impact is greatest.

Under Humanity AI’s framework, grants are being directed towards five priority issue areas:

Democracy: Partnerships and frameworks that ensure AI protects rights and freedoms.

Education: Shaping how AI supports inclusive learning and access.

Humanities & Culture: Enhancing creativity and protecting artists’ work.

Labor & Economy: Ensuring AI enhances work rather than displaces people.

Security: Holding AI systems and innovators to high standards of safety and accountability.

Early aligned grants include sizeable commitments to organisations such as the AI Now Institute, Brookings Institution’s AI & Emerging Technologies Initiative, London School of Economics and the Pulitzer Center, among others. These grants focus on strengthening public understanding, policy dialogue, and institutional capacities to shape AI in ways that align with societal values and equitable outcomes.

MacArthur’s support reflects a broader philanthropic shift toward funding the social dimensions of AI — not just innovation itself, but the governance, ethics, community engagement, and public interest frameworks that will determine how AI affects communities worldwide.

Why it matters for NGOs: This initiative potentially expands funding opportunities for organisations working on AI governance, digital rights, labour and economic transition, education equity, and cultural/creative sector impact in an AI-mediated world. It also signals a growing philanthropic demand for grantee partners who can bridge technical knowledge with community needs.

For more details and grant opportunities from the Humanity AI initiative, you can visit the official MacArthur press release.