Key Takeaways:
- Ed Farm’s Transform:ED Communities Challenge Grant funds modern learning spaces and digital skills training for K-12 students, educators and adult learners at schools, libraries and nonprofits.
- Grant packages can include Apple devices, podcasting gear, mixed-reality tools, 3D fabrication equipment, furnishings from Steelcase Learning and Smith System, IT support and workforce programming.
- Open to superintendents, nonprofit leaders and library directors nationwide; deadline is Sept. 10, 2026. Small towns and rural areas are encouraged to apply.
- The grant targets a critical gap: 92% of jobs require digital skills, yet one-third of U.S. workers lack them.
Ed Farm Launches National Grant to Build Modern Learning Spaces
Ed Farm, a Birmingham, Alabama, nonprofit focused on closing digital skills gaps, has launched the Transform:ED Communities Challenge Grant, a national program to help communities build modern learning spaces and deliver training for students, educators and adult learners. Applications opened Aug. 11, 2026, with a deadline of Sept. 10, 2026, and winners will be announced in October. Details and the application are available at edfarm.org/communities-challenge-grant.
“When a learner walks into an environment equipped with the tools of tomorrow, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves and their community,” said Waymond Jackson Jr., president of Ed Farm. “The Transform:ED Communities Challenge Grant is our call to school districts, libraries and community organizations across the country to partner with us in making that possible for every learner.”
Founded in 2020 in partnership with Apple and the Alabama Power Foundation, Ed Farm is a 501(c)(3) that runs tech-focused programming and builds learning environments to help students, educators and adult learners develop skills for a digital economy.
Who Can Apply and What Does the Grant Include?
The grant is open to school districts, libraries, nonprofits and community organizations serving K-12 students, classroom educators or adult learners, including superintendents, mayors, state legislators, and nonprofit and library leaders. Winning packages are tailored to local need and can include a fully built-out space, programming alone, or both.
Equipment and support may include Apple devices such as iPads and Macs, podcasting and production gear, mixed-reality tools, 3D fabrication equipment and esports setups. Design services, donated furnishings from partners such as Steelcase Learning, Smith System and ORI, IT assistance, and delivery and installation are also available. Ed Farm activates programming that spans student challenge-based learning, a 12-month Teacher Fellows upskilling experience, and Pathways to Tech, a six-month workforce fellowship for adults.
“At Apple, we believe technology should help people create, connect and pursue what matters most to them,” said Sarah Herrlinger, senior director of Community Education Initiative at Apple. “Through our partnership with Ed Farm, we’re proud to help bring powerful tools and learning experiences to more communities.”
Strong proposals will define the population served, show a credible sustainability plan, identify matching funds or partners, and demonstrate meaningful community engagement. Communities without large budgets are encouraged to apply. Ed Farm noted that small towns and rural areas can be competitive when they show clear need, shared investment and a plan to keep the space active year-round.
Why Does This Grant Matter for Communities?
The grant addresses a growing and urgent skills gap. The National Skills Coalition reports that 92% of jobs now require some level of digital skill, yet roughly one-third of U.S. workers don’t have them. Shortfalls are most pronounced in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and are often deepest in communities that have faced long-term underinvestment in infrastructure and training.
For local leaders, the grant offers a way to accelerate career pathways without bearing the full upfront cost of a build-out. Architects, designers and integrators who advise districts and municipalities can help applicants scope the right footprint, plan zones for production and collaboration, and address power, acoustics, security and storage needs.
Applicants should prepare letters of support from schools, municipal agencies, workforce boards and employers, along with a sustainability plan covering staffing, device management and program calendars. Ed Farm partners with broadband providers to upgrade connectivity at school or community sites, which can be a key limiting factor for rural and under-resourced areas. The Sept. 10, 2026, deadline is approaching, and communities ready to invest in the next generation of learners can find everything they need to apply at edfarm.org/communities-challenge-grant.
(Note: AI assisted in summarizing the key points for this story.)