Data Center Community Grants Program (US-CBF)

The Data Center Community Grants Program (US-CBF) supports nonprofit organizations that enhance their local communities surrounding Google data centers. Funding is available for projects focused on education, economic opportunity, bridging the digital divide, sustainability, health, and arts. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $50,000, prioritizing measurable community benefits and innovative approaches. Eligible projects must demonstrate long-term impact, while operational expenses are generally ineligible. This initiative aims to empower underserved groups and foster collaboration within local ecosystems.

The Data Center Community Grants Program supports eligible organizations and initiatives that directly impact the immediate community surrounding a Google data center.
Community Grants funds projects that focus on:
Education: Programs that increase access and belonging in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science (CS) education. Programs that address structural barriers to STEM/CS education access, such as school readiness, access to in-school courses, distance learning, and teacher training and resources. Initiatives that provide access for young learners in STEM/CS. Education programs that place a particular focus on underrepresented groups, including women, in STEM/CS education.
Economic Opportunity: Programs dedicated to creating and strengthening solutions that promote inclusive economic growth, income growth, and new employment pipelines for underserved workers and entrepreneurs. Job, apprenticeship, and other employment training programs that prepare people for living-wage jobs and improve financial inclusion. Programs and initiatives that support local small businesses and the startup or entrepreneurial ecosystems as a whole.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Programs and initiatives that increase equity in internet access through technical infrastructure, including devices, and connectivity opportunities in digital deserts and for educational institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and cultural institutions.
Sustainability: Carbon reduction or green initiatives with regional impact. Programs and initiatives that support and grow technology’s role in advancing solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Programs that remove barriers to scaling clean energy, facilitating the production of sustainable and repairable ICT devices, and creating enabling frameworks that encourage the use of digital technologies in tackling climate change. Initiatives that promote and scale more responsible use of energy, water, and other natural resources, and to empower others to do the same. Programs that support a healthy local watershed and promote wastewater recovery and use.
Health and Science: Programs that support health maintenance for the general population, public health education, scientific education, and scientific enquiry for large scale, current, global health issues. Programs that support activities from the health or scientific communities that underpin public safety.
Arts and Culture: Programs that support the creation and development of social sciences, humanities, and arts with the intent to expand access to underprivileged groups, educate the public, and support creative endeavors that contribute to cultural understanding and appreciation.
When evaluating proposals we consider:
Measurable and demonstrable benefit to the community—the number of persons who will benefit and at how that impact will be quantified.Organizational capacity that may include a track record of implementing programs.Integration with other community resources within the focus area, such as other nonprofits and government entities with similar goals.Innovative approaches that have potential for replication, if successful.
Grant awards are given for a minimum of $5,000 USD, usually up to $50,000 USD, with larger amounts being awarded occasionally.

Eligibility

The program targets nonprofit organizations.Location and geographic impact in the immediate community surrounding one of our offices or data centers.

Ineligibility

Individuals, government entities, and for-profit organizations are not eligible.Community Grants support discrete and specific projects. Awards are prioritized to projects likely to have long-term impact. Therefore, operational expenses including salaries are generally ineligible.