$17 million gift from philanthropist David Siegel for future-focused education, workforce, and community innovation

Siegel Family Endowment, the philanthropic foundation established by Two Sigma co-founder David Siegel, has announced nearly $17 million in new grants to support pioneering efforts at the intersection of education, workforce development, and community-driven infrastructure.

The funding reflects the foundation’s belief that communities should not merely adapt to technological change, but actively shape its trajectory.

David Siegel, a tech entrepreneur turned influential philanthropist, launched the Endowment in 2011 with a mission to explore how society can better harness technology for the common good.

Siegel’s philanthropic approach is rooted in inquiry, experimentation, and long-term systems thinking. Through his foundation, he continues to channel his background in computational finance and data science toward solving complex societal challenges.

The latest slate of grants underscores the Endowment’s commitment to empowering local voices, enhancing civic infrastructure, and preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

“Across our portfolio, we see that lasting change begins with strong systems, trusted information, and real input from students, workers, and educators,” said Joshua Elder, vice president and head of grantmaking. “When these voices shape the foundation, innovation becomes more equitable, relevant, and resilient.”

Grantees span a diverse ecosystem of organizations, including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Center on Rural Innovation, the Obama Foundation, Jobs for the Future (JFF), CitizensNYC, and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (Stanford d.school). Together, these groups are working on issues ranging from competency-based high school reform and rural AI workforce training to neighborhood-led civic solutions and ethical tech entrepreneurship.

The Endowment’s investment in workforce development reflects growing urgency around the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs. JFF is launching a new Entrepreneur-In-Residence Accelerator Program to support the development of inclusive, worker-informed AI tools. Meanwhile, Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy is analyzing AI’s effects on business operations roles, offering data-driven insights into how automation is reshaping employment.

Other grantees, such as the Center on Rural Innovation and The Birmingham Promise, are helping underserved communities build AI-integrated education and training ecosystems.

In Birmingham, new pathways into the tech economy are being created for local youth, ensuring regional growth includes historically excluded populations.

The Siegel Family Endowment’s 2025 funding round underscores its central thesis: meaningful innovation occurs when technology, education, and civic life are developed in tandem—and led by the people most directly affected.

As communities face the dual challenge of rapid digital transformation and growing social complexity, Siegel’s approach provides a model for forward-thinking, inclusive philanthropy.