CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, the Truist Foundation is investing in organizations dedicated to helping people adapt and thrive. The foundation announced the launch of its 2026 Inspire Awards Challenge, a nationwide initiative that will award more than $1 million in grants and in-kind support to nonprofits developing innovative workforce solutions for the AI economy.
Created in collaboration with MIT Solve, the challenge seeks nonprofit organizations that are designing practical programs to equip adults with the skills needed for rapidly changing industries. The initiative emphasizes economic mobility, career resilience, and expanded access to opportunity for workers who may otherwise be left behind by technological change.
According to the foundation, the competition is intended to identify scalable ideas that strengthen communities while preparing individuals for emerging careers and evolving workplace demands.
“The Inspire Awards Challenge is designed to support organizations creating innovative pathways that help people build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in an AI-enabled economy,” the Truist Foundation said in announcing the initiative.
The program reflects a growing recognition among corporate leaders that technological advancement must be accompanied by investments in people and communities. By partnering with nonprofits, educational organizations, and community leaders, the foundation hopes to accelerate solutions that create lasting economic opportunity.
The initiative also reinforces the role businesses can play in addressing workforce challenges beyond their own operations, supporting organizations that are developing models capable of serving communities nationwide.
For Heartitude, the announcement illustrates how compassion and innovation can work together to create meaningful change. Rather than viewing artificial intelligence solely as disruption, initiatives like the Inspire Awards Challenge demonstrate that preparing people for the future is an investment in human potential.
Heartitude Founder Bruce Petillo reflected on the announcement, saying, “Technology should never replace our humanity—it should expand our ability to uplift one another. When organizations invest in helping people grow alongside innovation, they’re creating hope, confidence, and stronger communities for generations to come.”
The Inspire Awards Challenge represents more than a grant competition. It is an invitation for nonprofits and community leaders to collaborate on solutions that ensure the future of work remains inclusive, accessible, and rooted in opportunity for all.