Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund Grant

Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Hopelab Foundation
Amount: US $25,000 - US $100,000
Last Updated: August 31, 2025

Summary

The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund is a pioneering initiative empowering youth and intergenerational organizations to shape the responsible technology movement. With $1.5 million in funding, it offers grants between $25,000 and $200,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities. The fund focuses on enhancing human rights, addressing social issues through tech, and ensuring equitable access, while encouraging innovative and equitable solutions from youth-led initiatives.

Overview

Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund is a first of its kind philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting youth and intergenerationally led organizations shaping the responsible technology movement. The Fund, which has raised $1.5 million from 11 funders, is now accepting applications from 501(c)3 eligible public charities with award amounts ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 — based on the stage of the organization and funding needs. The responsible technology movement is about: Building, shaping, and stewarding our tech ecosystem to safeguard human rightsLeveraging technology platforms to address social, cultural, political, or environmental problemsEnsuring equitable access to the benefits of technologyMitigating the harmful impacts of technology in communities The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund invites youth and intergenerationally led organizations to submit proposals for initiatives that are shaping the future of the responsible technology movement. Young people are a powerful force in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable technology ecosystem. However, cultural, social, and infrastructural barriers often prevent youth-led organizations and intergenerational partnerships from accessing funding and realizing their full power and potential in shaping responsible technology. Selection Criteria We will be focusing on the three following pillars in selecting our finalists: PossibilityHelp us see the change you’re going to make in the world, understand why it matters, and how you and your team plan to make it happen.  CreativityShow us how your initiative challenges the status quo and grows the responsible technology movement. EquityTell us how you are disrupting traditional sources and distributions of power. Areas of Interest We are open to and looking for a wide range of responsible technology initiatives. However, some examples of areas in which our core funders have particular expertise include: The intersection of technology and mental health Harnessing connective opportunities technology provides to support belonging and well-beingBuilding a better world online — that is safe, fair and compassionateSupporting learning, discovery and action focused on the  ethical collection, protection and use of dataPreventing online abuse and promoting the safety, protection, wellbeing and development of childrenBridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence, data science, and social impact Empowering youth change-makers who are optimizing our digital world Grant Award Amounts Funding levels will depend on the stage of your initiative. The levels of funding are as follows: Phase One: $25,000 - $50,000 (e.g. early stage of initiative or organization; little to no existing programming at the youth and tech intersection)Phase Two: $50,000 - $100,000 (e.g. pilot stage initiative or organization; moderate traction with at least a year of programming)Phase Three: $100,000 - $200,000 (e.g. scale stage organization or initiative; significant traction, track record of meaningful impact, partnerships and networks; at least a year of programming) Note that the blurbs in the above parentheses are directional but there can be exceptions e.g. organization existing for 6-months with tremendous amount of traction and resources could potentially apply for scale stage.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. You should apply if you are:A youth (up to age 25) or intergenerationally led organization or initiative — with a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity status or affiliation.Youth: We define youth as folks 25 years of age or younger.Youth-led: We define youth led as having young people in the majority of executive and board positions.Intergenerationally-led: We define intergenerationally led as young people and older people sharing power and decision making.Working within the responsible technology movement. Working on issues including but not limited to: mental health, digital wellbeing, mis- and disinformation, cybersecurity, digital divide, privacy, digital literacy, data equity, platform accountability, open source technology, algorithmic bias, and more.

Ineligibility

Internationally registered nonprofits are not eligible unless they have an affiliation with a U.S.-registered 501(c)3