THE ACTION GROUP (TAG) FOUNDATION, USA · 501(c)(3) Public Charity · Cary, North Carolina · EIN: 41-5045164
Flagship Program · Digital Equity & Future Skills
Project Neon Shield
100 students. Two future-ready pathways. Seven months of transformation. 15,000+ hours of AI, robotics and cybersecurity learning.
An AI, Robotics & Cybersecurity Workforce Empowerment Initiative by TAG Foundation.
Held accountable, on purpose.
Funding goal
Governance
USD $50,000
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Students
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100 · cost per student $500, all-inclusive
Duration
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7 months · 150+ hours per student
Delivery
Online with partner-hosted lab sessions · four cohorts of 25
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Operated by
TAG Foundation · 501(c)(3) · EIN 41-5045164
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Held accountable, on purpose.
Governance
Funding Goal
USD $50,000
Student Impact
100 students supported
$500 per student · All-inclusive program cost
Program Duration
7 months
150+ learning hours per student
Delivery Model
Online instruction with partner-hosted lab sessions
4 cohorts · 25 students per cohort
Operated By
TAG Foundation
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
EIN: 41-5045164
Why this program
The AI economy is here. The defenders are outnumbered.
The global cybersecurity industry continues to face a significant shortage of skilled professionals — over 500,000 in the United States alone (ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study). The industry's own 2025 study found the most urgent need is now critical skills, exactly what structured, hands-on training builds. Meanwhile, students in under-resourced communities are entering this labor market without the training, equipment, or professional networks to compete. Project Neon Shield closes that gap directly — with mentors who work in the field.
Pathway 1 — AI, Machine Learning & Robotics
Foundation: intro to AI, Python, data science fundamentals, ML basics, robotics fundamentals, AI ethics.
Core: deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics automation, and model evaluation.
Advanced: generative AI, transformer models, AI deployment, and advanced robotics applications.
Capstone: a real-world AI/robotics solution.
Program structure
Two pathways. Three levels. One capstone.
The cybersecurity industry continues to face a significant shortage of skilled professionals—over 500,000 in the United States alone (ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study). The industry's own 2025 study found the most urgent need is now critical skills, exactly what structured, hands-on training builds. Meanwhile, students in under-resourced communities are entering this labor market without the training, equipment, or professional networks to compete. Project Neon Shield closes that gap directly — with mentors who work in the field.
Pathway 2 — Cybersecurity & Digital Defense
Foundation: security fundamentals, networking, OS security, cryptography basics, threat awareness.
Core: network security, ethical hacking concepts, web security, incident response, cloud security.
Advanced: threat intelligence, malware analysis concepts, DevSecOps, AI applications in cybersecurity.
Capstone: a cyber defense simulation.
150+ hours
per student: 75+ technical training · 40 hands-on labs · 20 career readiness & mentorship from working IT professionals · 15 assessments & capstone.
15,000+ hours
of learning delivered across the full 100-student cohort — preparing students for industry-recognized certifications.
The budget
$50,000 — every dollar mapped.
AI/ML/robotics and cybersecurity expert trainers
Category
Category
$25,000
Teaching assistants and student support
Robotics hardware, kits and learning tools (shared classroom sets)
Learning platform and digital resources
AI tools, cloud labs, and cyber practice environments
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$2,000
$3,000
$5,000
Career mentorship and workforce development
Program management, reporting and operations (10%)
Total
$50,000
90% of funds go directly to instruction, tools, and student support. Each $500 sponsorship maps exactly: $250 instruction · $50 teaching assistance · $50 hardware · $50 cloud labs · $20 platform · $30 mentorship · $50 management & reporting.
The budget
$50,000 — every dollar mapped.
Amount & Category
$25,000 — AI/ML/robotics and cybersecurity expert trainers
$5,000 — Teaching assistants and student support
$5,000 — Robotics hardware, kits, and learning tools (shared sets)
$5,000 — AI tools, cloud labs, and cyber practice environments
$5,000 — Program management, reporting, and operations (10%)
$3,000 — Career mentorship and workforce development
$2,000 — Learning platform and digital resources
$50,000 — TOTAL BUDGET
90% of funds go directly to instruction, tools, and student support. Each $500 sponsorship maps exactly: $250 instruction · $50 teaching assistance · $50 hardware · $50 cloud labs · $20 platform · $30 mentorship · $50 management & reporting.
Your gift creates impact
Giving levels tied to real budget lines.
$50
Funds one student's cloud labs and practice environments for all seven months.
$150
Covers one student's complete hands-on stack: hardware access, cloud labs, platform, and mentorship.
$500
Sponsors one student's complete seven-month journey.
Funds one student's cloud labs and practice environments for all seven months.
$2500
$5000
Sponsors a full learning group of ten students.
What we commit to
A completion target of 80% — and we report actual results, whatever they are. Sponsors receive a midpoint report and a completion report.
Accountability
Targets first. Reporting always.
What we measure
Enrollment vs. the 100-student target and demographic reach; completion rate; capstones completed; industry-recognized certifications earned; internships and placements within 90 days; learning hours delivered; and budget actuals against the table above.
Student safeguarding: All instructors and mentors working with students under 18 undergo background screening, and the program operates under TAG's child-safeguarding and online-conduct standards.
What we commit to
A completion target of 80% — and we report actual results, whatever they are. Sponsors receive a midpoint report and a completion report.
Accountability
Targets first. Reporting always.
What we measure
Enrollment vs. the 100-student target and demographic reach; completion rate; capstones completed; industry-recognized certifications earned; internships and placements within 90 days; learning hours delivered; and budget actuals against the table above.
Student safeguarding: All instructors and mentors working with students under 18 undergo background screening, and the program operates under TAG's child-safeguarding and online-conduct standards.
Read the full proposal.
The complete program document — curriculum, budget, accountability framework — is available for donors, partners, and grantmakers.
Read the full proposal.
The complete program document — curriculum, budget, accountability framework — is available for donors, partners, and grantmakers.
CONTACT
Reach out to TAG Foundation anytime.
2309 Blairfield Pl, Cary, NC 27519, USA
Phone & Email
info@tagimpact.org
+1 (919) 418-9846
© 2026 The Action Group (TAG) Foundation. All rights reserved.
tagimpact.org is the official website of and is operated by The Action Group Foundation, a North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation | EIN: 41-5045164
The Action Group (TAG) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Financial information is available upon request.
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