Inspiredu gets $45,000 Taco Bell Foundation grant for youth tech training

Inspiredu has received a $45,000 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to expand digital skills training and technology access for underserved youth in Georgia. The funding adds to a record $32 million grant cycle that the foundation says will support 700 nonprofits nationwide.

Why it matters: - The grant will help more underserved Georgia students build digital skills tied to school success and future careers. - Inspiredu focuses on communities that lack devices, digital literacy and reliable access to technology. - The funding supports broader efforts to close opportunity gaps for young people through education and career readiness.

What happened: - Inspiredu received a 2026 Community Grant of $45,000 from the Taco Bell Foundation. - The announcement was made in Atlanta on September 17, 2026. - Inspiredu will use the grant to expand digital skills programs and technology access for youth across Georgia. - Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu, said the investment helps give young people the technology, skills and support to build what comes next.

The details: - Taco Bell Foundation said 2026 is its biggest Community Grants year yet, with a record $32 million distributed to 700 nonprofits nationwide. - The foundation said that total represents a 40% increase in nonprofit partners from last year. - The grant program is funded by customers who Round Up their Taco Bell purchases. - Taco Bell Foundation said the money is creating more opportunities through education, career readiness, mentorship and youth empowerment. - Morgan Tabor, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation, said local franchisees help identify organizations and support their work. - Inspiredu is a Georgia-based nonprofit that works to bridge gaps in device ownership, digital literacy and digital access. - Inspiredu’s training covers computer basics, internet access, internet safety, Microsoft Office, financial wellness, telehealth portals, work-readiness certifications and online learning support. - Inspiredu serves rural and urban communities with low incomes that often lack devices and training to use broadband initiatives in Georgia. - More information about Inspiredu is available at iuatl.org. - More information about the Taco Bell Foundation Community Grants program is available at the foundation’s grant page.

Between the lines: - The size of Taco Bell Foundation’s 2026 grant cycle suggests the organization is leaning harder into local youth support at scale. - Inspiredu’s mix of device access and hands-on training points to a practical approach: closing both hardware and skills gaps at the same time. - The focus on Georgia matters because broadband access alone does not guarantee people can use digital tools effectively.

What's next: - Inspiredu is expected to use the grant to expand its workshops and broaden access for more students. - The foundation is likely to keep channeling Round Up donations into community-based youth programs nationwide. - Inspiredu says the funding will help students gain the skills they need for success in school and future careers.

The bottom line: - A relatively small local grant is designed to unlock bigger gains in digital access, training and opportunity for Georgia youth.