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

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.

Key Figures

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

Market Reality Check

$510.59 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,277,596 is 48% above the 20-day average of 1,535,065. normal

Technical Trading below 200-day MA of 508.25 and 13.68% below 52-week high, 17.02% above 52-week low.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed moves: CME up 0.4% while MCO, ICE, MSCI and NDAQ were modestly negative, suggesting stock-specific rather than broad sector momentum.

Common Catalyst One peer (CME) had an earnings-related conference call announcement, but no broad AI or philanthropy theme across peers.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 15	Industry conference	Neutral	-0.3%	Announcement of TPM26 conference on tariffs, resilience and supply chains.
Dec 11	Awards event	Neutral	+0.7%	Platts Global Energy Awards recognizing global energy companies across categories.
Dec 10	Macro index data	Neutral	+0.1%	GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index showing slack capacity into 2026.
Dec 10	AI partnership	Positive	+0.1%	Multi-year Google Cloud partnership to accelerate AI and data distribution.
Dec 09	AI market outlook	Neutral	-0.3%	Clean Energy+ trends report linking AI-driven power demand to energy markets.

Pattern Detected

Recent news flow, including AI and industry events, has generally produced modest single-day price reactions, with no strong pattern of consistent rallies or selloffs.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, S&P Global issued several updates spanning AI, macro supply-chain indicators, and branded events. On Dec 9, 2025, an AI-focused Clean Energy+ trends report linked AI-driven power demand to energy markets, with a -0.28% move. A multi-year AI partnership with Google Cloud on Dec 10, 2025 coincided with a small 0.12% reaction. Other items, like the TPM26 logistics conference and Platts Global Energy Awards, also saw sub-1% moves, framing today’s philanthropic AI initiative within a pattern of limited immediate price impact from similar announcements.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights S&P Global’s StepForward program, a three-year, $10 million commitment to nonprofits focused on youth workforce readiness and AI education. It extends prior AI efforts—such as internal training and partnerships—into broader communities. Historically, AI-tagged updates for the company have produced modest single-day price moves, suggesting investors treat them as strategic rather than transformational. Investors may watch how grantee selection in 2026 and employee volunteering translate into longer-term brand and ecosystem benefits.

Key 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. Not financial advice.

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

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.