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 workforce gap reached a record 4.8 million unfilled roles — 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 global cybersecurity workforce gap reached a record 4.8 million unfilled roles — 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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