Meta is now accepting applications for the 2026 Data Center Community Action Grants program, expanding support to seven new communities that host its data centers. The program provides direct funding to schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, supporting projects that strengthen local STEAM education, integrate technology into community initiatives, and foster long-term development. Since 2011, these grants have reflected Meta’s commitment to investing in the vitality of the communities surrounding its data centers and support the White House AI Youth Education Pledge. This year’s expanded program includes new locations such as Aiken, South Carolina; Bowling Green, Ohio; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jeffersonville, Indiana; Montgomery, Alabama; Richland Parish, Louisiana; and Rosemount, Minnesota, with applications open until November 21, 2025.
To date, Meta has invested over $74 million globally in data center communities, with $24 million distributed specifically through the Data Center Community Action Grants program. Funding has enabled local organizations to deliver impactful projects that enhance community engagement, advance technology use, and improve STEAM learning. Many grantees reapply annually, allowing projects to receive long-term support, grow sustainably, and create lasting positive effects for local communities.
In DeKalb, Illinois, for example, the Northern Illinois University Foundation has leveraged multiple grants to expand its Huskie Engineering camps, which provide middle and high school students with hands-on STEAM learning experiences in areas such as sensors, data, and AI. The funding has also supported the creation of the STEAM Studio, offering afterschool programs, college preparation, and workforce development opportunities. Similarly, in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Belen Consolidated Schools used their sixth consecutive grant to fund a new STEM Center at Belen Middle School, giving students access to drones, coding kits, 3D printing, and other cutting-edge technology.
In Fort Worth, Texas, Meta’s grants have supported programs for at-risk youth, such as the STEM digital media technology camp run by Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization. The initiative teaches students animation, digital art, design, and media production, helping them develop technical skills while fostering empowerment and positive social impact. Across all locations, the Data Center Community Action Grants program continues to provide resources that strengthen local education, technology engagement, and community development, enabling lasting benefits for the regions surrounding Meta’s data centers.
