The Meta Data Center Community Action Grants program is now open for applications for the year 2026. This program, which has been actively supporting community projects since its inception in 2011, is a significant initiative by Meta to provide direct financial support to schools, nonprofits, and various community organizations. These grants are specifically aimed at projects that enhance the communities where Meta has established its data centers. The initiative is also aligned with the White House AI Youth Education Pledge, emphasizing Meta’s dedication to nurturing young minds in the realm of artificial intelligence.
For the upcoming grant cycle, Meta is extending its reach by including seven new communities, corresponding to the locations of their latest data centers. These communities include Aiken, South Carolina; Bowling Green, Ohio; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jeffersonville, Indiana; Montgomery, Alabama; Richland Parish, Louisiana; and Rosemount, Minnesota. Interested applicants have until November 21, 2025, to submit their proposals.
Since the program’s launch, Meta has distributed over $74 million globally to data center communities, with $24 million allocated through the Data Center Community Action Grants program alone. The projects funded through this initiative have been instrumental in utilizing technology for community betterment, assisting local organizations in community building, and enhancing education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Moreover, grant recipients have the opportunity to reapply annually, allowing for sustained funding and the potential for long-term impact and growth of their projects.
Several recent grant recipients have successfully leveraged this funding to effect positive transformations within their communities. Let’s explore some of these impactful projects.
Funding STEAM Learning and Workforce Development
In DeKalb, Illinois, where Meta broke ground on a data center in 2020, the company has supported over 65 local projects through grants and sponsorships. One notable recipient is the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Foundation, which received a 2025 grant to expand its summer programming for students. This marks the foundation’s third grant from the program. The expansion includes the Huskie Engineering camps, offering STEM learning experiences targeted at middle and high school students. Through NIU’s STEAM programs, 65 middle school students have completed coursework on sensors, while 40 have delved into data and AI studies. Additionally, the grant facilitated the launch of the STEAM Studio, providing afterschool programs, college preparation, and workforce development opportunities.
Sam Guerrero, Director of Advancement, Institutional and Regional Initiatives at the NIU Foundation, remarked, "After receiving funding from the DeKalb Data Center Community Action Grants, we were able to pilot and deliver our Huskie Engineering camps. Meta’s investments have already made a significant impact on our community and will continue to for years to come."
Expanding High-Tech STEM Education for Middle Schoolers
Meta has invested over $2.5 billion in data center infrastructure in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Since 2019, the company has supported over 210 projects in the area through grants and sponsorships. Belen Consolidated Schools, a local school district, received its sixth consecutive Data Center Community Action Grant last year. The grant was instrumental in funding their new STEM Center at Belen Middle School. This center equips students with access to cutting-edge technology, allowing them to engage with and learn about drones, snap circuits, coding kits, tablets, and 3-D printing.
Providing STEM Education for At-Risk Youth
With three data centers located in Texas, Meta’s Fort Worth data center was the first established in the state. Since its inception in 2015, the center has distributed $4.9 million in direct funding through over 175 grants to local schools and nonprofits. Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization was awarded its third Data Center Community Action Grant in 2024. The grant supported a STEM digital media technology camp aimed at at-risk youth, teaching them skills in animation, digital art and design, and media production for social impact.
ShaVonne Davis, Executive Director of Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization, expressed, "The grant we received from Meta allowed us to introduce digital media and STEM skills to students — we showed students that innovation can be a pathway away from violence and toward empowerment."
For more details about the Data Center Community Action Grants program or to submit an application, please visit Meta’s Community Action Grants page.
In conclusion, Meta’s ongoing commitment to the communities surrounding its data centers is evident through the substantial financial support provided via the Data Center Community Action Grants program. By fostering educational and technological advancements, Meta is not only contributing to the immediate needs of these communities but also investing in their long-term development and sustainability. This initiative is a prime example of how large corporations can play a pivotal role in community enrichment and development by integrating technological advancement with educational opportunities.
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