Most tech-and-society grants fund the people building tools. These two fund the people reckoning with what tech does on the ground, from AI's physical footprint to economic literacy in a digital economy.

What we know: CEF has made 45 grants totaling about $5 million since 2023, with a foundation-wide median of $50,000. Most grants go to environment and community improvement organizations in California, New York, and Oregon. Top recipients include Oil and Gas Action Network ($722,500 over two grants) and New York Communities Organizing.

Realistic fit: grassroots climate-organizing groups with an active campaign opposing a specific data center project.

What we know: Kazanjian funds economic and financial literacy programs, with current interest areas that include AI in economic education and digital learning tools. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with at least five years of history, and the foundation favors projects that partner with established economic education institutions.

Realistic fit: established education nonprofits running K-12 or teacher-training programs in economics or personal finance, ideally with an institutional partner already in place.

These sit at opposite ends of the tech spectrum. One funds community resistance to AI infrastructure; the other funds teaching economics in a tech-shaped economy. Both reward organizations with clear track records over newcomers.

Kindora can help you compare funder fit and find connection paths before you apply. kindora.co