S&P Global Launches StepForward: $10 Million Initiative Preparing Global Youth for AI-Enabled Futures

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) launched StepForward, a three-year philanthropic initiative committing $10 million to prepare youth for an AI-enabled workforce.

Rhea-AI Summary

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) launched StepForward, a three-year philanthropic initiative committing $10 million to prepare youth for an AI-enabled workforce. The program will award grants to international and regional nonprofits focused on workforce readiness and AI upskilling, and will leverage S&P Global's data, analytics and technology expertise.

StepForward will expand employee skills-based volunteering, announce grant awards in 2026, and build on prior AI education efforts including company training and external partnerships.

Argus Dec 17 session

+2.15% close to close 1.4x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – SPGI

On Dec 17, the day this news came out, SPGI closed 2.15% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Dec 17 session.

Key Figures

StepForward funding: $10 million Program duration: Three years Award timeline: 2026

StepForward funding

$10 million

Total planned investment over the next three years

Program duration

Three years

Length of StepForward philanthropic initiative

Award timeline

2026

Foundation expects grant awards to be announced in 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 15

5 events

1. Dec 15

   Industry conference

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Announcement of TPM26 conference on tariffs, resilience and supply chains.

2. Dec 11

   Awards event

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Platts Global Energy Awards recognizing global energy companies across categories.

3. Dec 10

   Macro index data

   24h Move

   +0.1%

   GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index showing slack capacity into 2026.

4. Dec 10

   AI partnership

   24h Move

   +0.1%

   Multi-year Google Cloud partnership to accelerate AI and data distribution.

5. Dec 09

   AI market outlook

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Clean Energy+ trends report linking AI-driven power demand to energy markets.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

ai-enabled workforce, ai upskilling, artificial intelligence

3 terms

ai-enabled workforce technical

"aimed at equipping the next generation with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-enabled workforce"

An ai-enabled workforce is a company’s group of employees who use artificial intelligence tools and software to perform, speed up, or improve tasks—think of AI as power tools that help people work faster, make fewer mistakes, and handle more complex jobs. For investors it matters because AI can change a business’s productivity, costs, and hiring needs: it may boost output and margins, shift where companies invest, and alter long-term growth and risk profiles.

ai upskilling technical

"approaches to early-career workforce development and AI upskilling"

Training employees in the knowledge and practical use of artificial intelligence tools and techniques so they can apply those tools to their jobs. For investors, ai upskilling matters because it can raise a company’s productivity and innovation like teaching workers a more powerful tool, reduce the cost and risk of outsourcing expertise, and influence future growth, margins and competitiveness by determining how quickly a business captures AI-driven gains.

artificial intelligence technical

"Learn more about Artificial Intelligence at S&P Global"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Three-year philanthropic program will award grants to nonprofits focused on workforce readiness and AI education

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) today announced the launch of StepForward, a new philanthropic initiative aimed at equipping the next generation with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-enabled workforce.

Through StepForward, S&P Global and the S&P Global Foundation will invest $10 million over the next three years to support organizations delivering innovative workforce development programs for youth. The initiative will also leverage the Company's expertise in data, analytics and technology to create meaningful impact for communities worldwide.

The program will feature a portfolio of international nonprofit partners focused on youth and workforce readiness. Additionally, the S&P Global Foundation will introduce a regional grants program to support local nonprofits with creative approaches to early-career workforce development and AI upskilling.

StepForward will also expand skills-based volunteering opportunities for S&P Global employees, including activities during Global Volunteer Week and other local initiatives in 2026.

"As we continue to harness the power of AI to drive innovation across our business, we recognize the critical importance of preparing the next generation for an AI-driven economy. This is about more than education—it's about unlocking potential, widening access, and helping the next generation step confidently into the careers and opportunities of tomorrow," said Martina Cheung, President and CEO, S&P Global.

The initiative builds on S&P Global's commitment to AI education, including the company's participation in the White House Pledge to America's Youth: Investing in AI Education earlier this year. The Foundation expects awards to be announced in 2026.

"StepForward extends our People Forward philosophy into global communities, ensuring young people worldwide have access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in tomorrow's workplaces," said Girish Ganesan, Chief People Officer, S&P Global.

S&P Global has long championed AI adoption and upskilling as part of workforce strategy through EssentialTECH education, mandatory 'AI for Everyone' employee training, internal tools including Kensho Spark Assist and a recent workforce development partnership with Eightfold AI.

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence at S&P Global:
https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/market-insights/artificial-intelligence

Media Contacts:

Orla O'Brien
S&P Global
+1 857 407 8559
orla.obrien@spglobal.com

Alexis Weakley
S&P Global
+1 610 390 4394
alexis.weakley@spglobal.com

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) enables businesses, governments, and individuals with trusted data, expertise and technology to make decisions with conviction. We are Advancing Essential Intelligence through world-leading benchmarks, data, and insights that customers need in order to plan confidently, act decisively, and thrive economically in a rapidly changing global landscape.

From helping our customers assess new investments across the capital and commodities markets to guiding them through the energy expansion, acceleration of artificial intelligence, and evolution of public and private markets, we enable the world's leading organizations to unlock opportunities, solve challenges, and plan for tomorrow – today. Learn more at www.spglobal.com.

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SOURCE S&P Global

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is S&P Global's StepForward initiative and how much is it funding (SPGI)?

StepForward is a three-year philanthropic program by S&P Global committing $10 million to grants and programs that prepare youth for AI-enabled careers.

When will StepForward grant awards be announced for SPGI's $10 million program?

The S&P Global Foundation expects StepForward grant awards to be announced in 2026.

Which activities will SPGI employees take part in under StepForward?

Employees will participate in expanded skills-based volunteering, including activities during Global Volunteer Week and other local initiatives in 2026.

What types of organizations will receive StepForward grants from SPGI?

StepForward will fund a portfolio of international nonprofit partners and a regional grants program supporting local nonprofits focused on youth workforce readiness and AI upskilling.

How does StepForward relate to S&P Global's existing AI education efforts (SPGI)?

StepForward builds on prior commitments including company AI training, EssentialTECH education, and partnerships such as the workforce development work with Eightfold AI.

Over what timeframe will SPGI deploy the $10 million StepForward investment?

S&P Global will invest the $10 million over a three-year period to support StepForward program activities.