The Library Foundation SD was awarded a $100,000 unrestricted grant in December 2025 from OpenAI Foundation’s People-First AI Fund, which is a $50 million investment in nonprofits working to strengthen local communities across the country. The OpenAI Foundation received nearly 3,000 applications for this inaugural round of funding, and Library Foundation SD was one of only 208 nonprofit organizations selected to receive a grant from the People-First AI Fund. This investment recognizes the critical role the San Diego Public Library (SDPL) plays in connecting San Diego patrons to digital tools and supporting the development of new literacy skills.
The grant will support SDPL’s core services of literacy and equitable access. Public libraries remain one of the few places where every community member can freely access information. Through free programs and resources, the City’s 37 Libraries foster literacy of all types — traditional, digital, financial, media, and cultural. With the recent development of accessible generative AI tools, SDPL is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted resource for the community as they navigate the use of AI and its impact on everything from education and the workforce to creative arts and daily life.
Grant funds will expand the Library’s AI literacy efforts, strengthening its capacity to provide patrons with opportunities to learn about AI tools and engage in community conversations about the ethical and societal impacts of AI.
