AI SKILLS LAB — SUMMER 2026
Help 20 South Side Chicago students build with AI this summer.
A free, 8-week summer program teaching AI fundamentals, Python, and hands-on building with modern AI APIs. Hosted at Southside STEM Station at Hyde Park Labs, a University of Chicago Civic Engagement partner.
20
STUDENTS
8
WEEKS
$25K
GOAL
Jul 6
COHORT STARTS
The opportunity
Generative AI is reshaping every industry — and the on-ramp is being built right now. On Chicago’s South Side, talented young people have fewer hands-on opportunities to engage with AI than peers across the city: fewer CS courses, fewer summer programs, fewer mentors who work in tech. We want to change that this summer.
What we'll do
AI Skills Lab is a free 8-week summer program for 20 high schoolers, hosted at South Side STEM Station. Students learn AI fundamentals, write Python, build with modern AI APIs (including Claude), and ship a community-rooted capstone project. Demo Day is August 24, 2026.
Why this works
Trusted local partner
Southside STEM Station opened in May 2025 at 1520 E Harper Ct in Hyde Park, in partnership with the University of Chicago. We’re standing alongside people already rooted in the community.
Wraparound support
Software, devices, and AI tool access so every student can fully participate — no barriers to entry.
Real builds, real outcomes
Every student ships a capstone. Strong finishers continue into a fall mentorship track.
Where your gift goes
- $25 Software & API credits for a student for one week
- $50 A seat for a student on one of two field trips
- $500 A student's full curriculum tools + materials for the summer
- $1,250 Fully funds one student for the entire 8-week program
- $5,000 Sponsors 4 students, plus a mentor track in your name
- $15,000 Founding Partner — names the entire cohort in your honor
Donate
Tax-deductible. 100% goes to the cohort. Choose a preset amount or enter your own — monthly giving is available, and checkout is securely processed by Stripe.
- 501(c)(3) tax-deductible donation
- Secure Stripe checkout
- No platform fees — every dollar reaches the cohort
Larger gifts & sponsorship tiers
If you’re representing a company, family foundation, or donor-advised fund, here’s how a larger commitment shapes the program.
MENTOR SPONSOR
$5,000
Sponsor a mentor / guest-speaker track. Recognition on program materials. Demo Day invitation.
COHORT CHAMPION · MOST IMPACT
$10,000
Lead-tier logo. Demo Day speaker slot. Five named scholarships.
FOUNDING PARTNER
$15,000
Title sponsor. Program named in your honor. Demo Day keynote. Named cohort scholarships. Quarterly impact reports.
Common questions
Yes. accentedge Foundation is a verified 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 84-1929150), so your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. You’ll receive a tax receipt by email immediately after your gift.
100% of donations go to direct program costs: instructor and TA pay, software and device costs, AI tool access, two field trips, evaluation, and the Demo Day showcase. The full line-item budget is on the budget page.
Yes. accentedge Foundation accepts DAF grants from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, and other major sponsors. Use EIN 84-1929150 when initiating the grant. Reach out to syed@accentedge.org if you’d like help directing a grant.
Many do — including most large tech companies. If your employer matches charitable gifts, please submit your match request and reference accentedge Foundation (EIN 84-1929150). We’re set up in major matching platforms; email us if your platform asks for documentation.
Yes — six sponsorship tiers from $1,000 to $15,000, each with recognition benefits, mentor opportunities, and Demo Day involvement. See the sponsorship tiers above or email syed@accentedge.org.
accentedge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) registered with the IRS (EIN 84-1929150). The pilot is delivered in partnership with South Side STEM Station, which opened in May 2025 with University of Chicago Civic Engagement. The opening was covered in Crain’s Chicago Business on May 29, 2025.
You’ll get an immediate email receipt from our Stripe-powered checkout. Throughout the summer, you’ll receive program updates — cohort photos, capstone previews, and an invitation to Demo Day on August 24, 2026. After the program ends, we send a full impact report.
Donate now.
Tax-deductible. 100% goes to the cohort. Cohort starts July 6, 2026.
accentedge Foundation • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit • EIN 84-1929150 • info@accentedge.org