(October 1, 2026) — Local Media Association/Local Media Foundation has been selected as a grantee of the OpenAI Foundation’s 2026 People-First AI Fund. LMA was chosen from nearly 1,700 applicants based on its strong community engagement, track record of impact, and thoughtful approach to exploring artificial intelligence in service of local media.
The 2026 People-First AI Fund is providing $50 million to 163 nonprofits across 35 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., supporting organizations in community support services, cultural arts, and community journalism and media. The initiative gives trusted community organizations the resources and flexibility to explore how AI can strengthen their work and how the populations they serve can engage with and shape its use.
This grant supports LMA’s mission to ensure a healthy future for local journalism by sustaining trusted local information sources that serve the information needs of their communities. LMA will leverage this support to deepen AI literacy, build shared capacity across local newsrooms, and foster public trust through transparent, community-centered AI implementation.
“We are honored to be recognized by the OpenAI Foundation,” said Frank Mungeam, LMA chief innovation officer, who leads strategic AI initiatives for the organization. “This support strengthens our ability to equip local newsrooms with the tools, learning, and infrastructure needed to remain sustainable, trusted sources of vital information for their communities.”
Learn more about the People-First AI Fund and this year’s grantees.