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S&P Global Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.8M
Grant Range
$500K - $2.5M
Decision Time
7mo

S&P Global Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,836,429 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $200,962,134
  • Grant Range: $500,000 - $2,500,000 for major grants
  • Geographic Focus: International, with emphasis on communities where S&P Global employees live and work
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Headquarters: 55 Water Street New York, NY

Website: https://www.spglobal.com/en/who-we-are/corporate-responsibility/foundation

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited inquiries or proposals. All grants are by invitation only.

Overview

Established in 2012 (formerly the McGraw-Hill Research Foundation), the S&P Global Foundation serves as the cornerstone of S&P Global's philanthropic efforts. With total assets of over $200 million and annual giving of approximately $8.8 million in 2023, the Foundation has awarded more than $53 million to nonprofit organizations globally since 2018. In 2024, the Foundation extended $11.9 million in grants to 70 grant partners. The Foundation's mission is to support the building of inclusive, resilient economies through a data-driven and inclusive approach, focusing on two key strategic areas: Diversifying Technology & Data and Creating Environmental Resilience. These priorities align with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and leverage S&P Global's unique expertise in global markets and data analytics.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Signature Grant Partners Program (2024-2029)

  • $2.5 million per organization over five years
  • Current partners: Girls Who Code and Conservation International
  • Application method: Invitation only

StepForward Initiative (2025-2028)

  • $10 million commitment over three years
  • Focus: Preparing youth for AI-enabled careers
  • Regional grants program for local nonprofits with innovative workforce development approaches
  • Grant awards expected to be announced in 2026
  • Application method: Invitation only

India CSR Fund

  • $1.1 million in grants in 2024
  • Focus on community development in India

General Grantmaking

  • 11 grants awarded in 2023 (average grant size: $803,312)
  • 70 grant partners supported in 2024

Priority Areas

Diversifying Technology & Data

  • Opening job training and placement opportunities to traditionally underrepresented communities
  • Closing gender gaps in technology and data sectors
  • Building generational wealth through tech sector access
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion as core factors

Creating Environmental Resilience

  • Restoring freshwater ecosystems in vulnerable communities
  • Climate-related challenges in emerging markets
  • Environmental sustainability initiatives
  • Conservation projects in global biodiversity hotspots

Cross-Cutting Themes

  • Employee engagement and skills-based volunteering opportunities
  • Programs that leverage S&P Global's data and analytics expertise
  • Focus on communities where S&P Global employees live and work
  • Alignment with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations not exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Unsolicited proposals (all grants by invitation only)
  • Organizations without demonstrated success in Foundation focus areas
  • Projects outside communities where S&P Global employees are based

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Annette O'Hanlon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Culture & Engagement at S&P Global and Chair of the S&P Global Foundation. O'Hanlon provides strategic leadership to a global team supporting S&P Global's philanthropic and diversity initiatives, strategic engagement, employee programs, and sustainability practices.

Board Members:

  • Girish Ganesan, Chief People Officer of S&P Global

Leadership Philosophy: According to Annette O'Hanlon: "Our philanthropic programs are designed to address issues essential to long-term sustainability, and through a data-driven and inclusive approach and employee engagement, we are committed to making a real impact in the communities where we live and work."

The Foundation's leaders possess unique insight into global markets, and through this lens they foster an environment that rewards thinking differently about the ways to connect the knowledge- and skill-driven work of S&P Global and the needs of society.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This Foundation does not have a public application process. The S&P Global Foundation accepts proposals and grant requests by invitation only from organizations with demonstrated success in the outlined focus areas, and a focus on communities where S&P Global employees live and work.

The Foundation explicitly states that it will not review or respond to any unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals.

Eligibility:

  • Must be a charitable, not-for-profit organization exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Must have demonstrated success in Foundation focus areas
  • Must operate in or serve communities where S&P Global employees live and work

Getting on Their Radar

S&P Global Employee Connections: The Foundation emphasizes employee engagement as a core component of its philanthropic strategy. Organizations that can demonstrate connections to S&P Global employees through volunteering partnerships, skills-based initiatives, or Global Volunteer Week activities may be better positioned for consideration.

Geographic Alignment: The Foundation prioritizes communities where S&P Global maintains offices and employees. Known geographic areas of activity include New York City (headquarters), the UK, India, and international locations where S&P Global operates globally.

Partner Organizations: Past grant recipients have included organizations addressing humanitarian disasters (such as eight NGOs supporting Ukraine response efforts), refugee employment programs (Breaking Barriers in the UK), and community development organizations in India (Gujarat Rajya Gram Vikas Samiti).

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Major grant programs like the Signature Grant Partners are announced periodically (the 2024 program was announced in September). The StepForward initiative announced in December 2025 expects grant awards to be announced in 2026, suggesting a planning cycle that may span several months to a year.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Given the invitation-only model, organizations contacted by the Foundation likely have higher success rates than typical competitive grant programs.

Application Success Factors

Since the S&P Global Foundation operates exclusively through invitations, traditional "application success factors" do not apply in the conventional sense. However, based on their funded projects and stated priorities, organizations seeking to position themselves favorably should consider:

Alignment with Strategic Focus Areas: The Foundation has clearly articulated focus on two primary areas: Diversifying Technology & Data and Creating Environmental Resilience. Recent major grants demonstrate this commitment: Girls Who Code (addressing gender gaps in tech) and Conservation International (environmental resilience in vulnerable communities). Organizations working at the intersection of these themes with proven track records are most aligned.

Employee Engagement Opportunities: The Foundation explicitly values "maximum opportunities to engage and leverage the extensive expertise of S&P Global employees worldwide." Organizations that can facilitate skills-based volunteering, leverage S&P Global's data and analytics expertise, or engage employees in meaningful ways appear better positioned.

Proven Impact and Scale: Recent grant recipients demonstrate significant scale and impact potential. Girls Who Code will train over 650,000 students through their $2.5 million grant. Conservation International works across multiple continents. The Foundation appears to favor organizations with established track records and capacity for substantial impact.

Geographic Presence in S&P Global Communities: The Foundation consistently emphasizes "communities where our people live and work." Known geographies include New York City, the UK, India, and global locations aligned with S&P Global's international presence.

Alignment with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: The Foundation explicitly states its programs align with U.N. SDGs, demonstrating a preference for work that addresses global sustainability challenges through measurable frameworks.

Data-Driven Approaches: Given S&P Global's core business in data and analytics, the Foundation values "a data-driven and inclusive approach." Organizations that can demonstrate evidence-based program design and measurement may resonate with Foundation priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: This Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Building relationships through employee volunteering programs or existing S&P Global partnerships is the only viable pathway.
  • Strategic focus is narrow but substantial: The Foundation concentrates resources on two clear areas (tech diversity and environmental resilience) with significant grants ($2.5 million over five years for Signature Partners).
  • Employee engagement is central: All program descriptions emphasize employee involvement. Organizations facilitating meaningful employee engagement opportunities may have advantage.
  • Scale matters: Recent grant recipients are national or international organizations with capacity to create significant impact (650,000+ students trained, global conservation projects).
  • Multi-year partnerships preferred: The Signature Grant Partners program is a five-year commitment, and StepForward is a three-year initiative, suggesting preference for sustained relationships over one-off grants.
  • Geographic strategy is employee-centered: Rather than predetermined regions, the Foundation focuses on communities where S&P Global employees live and work globally.
  • Alignment with corporate expertise: The Foundation seeks to leverage S&P Global's unique strengths in data, analytics, and global markets knowledge.

References

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