Kyndryl’s charitable arm, the Kyndryl Foundation, has disclosed the recipients of its third‑year grant program, extending its reach to 13 countries with the addition of France and Mexico. The initiative, now in its third cycle, is designed to accelerate the development of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise among underserved populations, with the foundation projecting an impact on more than 100,000 individuals worldwide.
A Shift Toward Scalable Skills Development
The latest tranche of funding continues to back multi‑year partners while onboarding new nonprofits that focus on hands‑on training, mentorship, and job‑placement services. By channeling resources through independent, nonprofit‑run programs, Kyndryl aims to create a pipeline of talent that can meet the growing demand for digital skills in the enterprise sector. The foundation’s emphasis on practical, industry‑relevant curricula aligns with the broader market trend of companies seeking ready‑to‑work talent rather than relying solely on internal upskilling.
“As we enter the third year of Kyndryl Foundation grants program, our focus is on deepening impact and strengthening digital skills development in the communities in which we operate,” said Una Pulizzi, President of Kyndryl Foundation and Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Kyndryl. “We are proud to help create more pathways for individuals to enter meaningful careers in cybersecurity and AI.”
Pulizzi’s remarks underscore a strategic pivot from one‑off training events to sustained, outcomes‑driven programs that can be measured against workforce‑ready milestones.
Core Funding Priorities
- Practical, hands‑on instruction – curricula that move beyond theory to include labs, simulations, and real‑world problem solving.
- Mentorship and career coaching – structured guidance that bridges the gap between training and employment.
- Alignment with public‑sector skill pledges – programs that complement national or regional workforce initiatives, reinforcing public‑private collaboration.
These priorities are reflected in the diverse portfolio of grantees, each of which targets a specific segment of the talent pipeline.
Grant Recipients and Program Highlights
- Article 1 (France – new market) – The nonprofit will embed AI‑enabled tools into its existing STEM mentoring platform, extending AI‑literacy modules to 4,000 students. Additional deliverables include national AI workshops for 200 participants and the training of 120 mentors.
- CLACK (Japan) – CLACK’s “Be Pro Cybersecurity” two‑day course will serve 700 students from low‑income families in Tokyo and Osaka, delivering foundational cybersecurity concepts and exposing learners to entry‑level career options.
- Czechitas (Czechia) – Focusing on Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst and Information Security Specialist tracks, Czechitas will certify 110 individuals, enroll 1,000 participants in cybersecurity courses, and conduct outreach to 50,000 people through awareness campaigns and online content.
- Data Security Council of India (DSCI) – Continuing its “Cyber Vaahini” initiative, DSCI will train 50 participants and launch a new Delhi‑based training center that offers industry‑standard labs, mentorship, and job‑placement assistance.
- Fair Chance Futures (United States) – A Columbia University‑affiliated program, Fair Chance Futures will broaden its AI workforce pathways to additional universities, supporting 1,000 fellows with capstone projects and a “Just Hire One” placement guarantee.
- Fundación Cibervoluntarios (Spain) – Through the #RetoHacker course, the organization plans to train 10,000 youths in cybersecurity and ethical hacking across 400 practical sessions, while a parallel awareness drive aims to reach 300,000 students and community members.
- Generation: You Employed (United Kingdom) – The grant will fund boot‑camp style train‑and‑place programs for 400 job‑seekers facing employment barriers, targeting roles in tech and cybersecurity.
- Girl Security (United States) – Girl Security will expand its “All Secure” AI learning platform and security clinics to support over 1,200 participants by 2027, with an outreach goal of 50,000 educators and students.
- Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) (Canada) – JEDI will provide advanced IT and cybersecurity training to 60 Indigenous students across New Brunswick, supplemented by internships, competitions, and conference attendance.
- Junior Achievement (JA) Americas (Brazil & Costa Rica) – The “She is Digital” program will deliver cybersecurity and career‑readiness training to 720 individuals, with a focus on bridging the gender gap in tech fields.
- Laboratoria (Mexico – new market) – Laboratoria will enroll 200 unemployed or underemployed adults in a curriculum that blends digital fundamentals with cybersecurity basics and job‑search skills.
- Mamo Pracuj Foundation (Poland) – The “Cyber Women Pro” initiative will certify 400 participants in a cybersecurity‑basics course, support 50 individuals in achieving CompTIA Security+ certification, and run webinars and advanced training for a broader audience.
- NPO Sodateage Net (Japan) – Sodateage Net will deliver a cybersecurity skilling track to roughly 1,500 youths, coupled with internship placement services and policy recommendations for scaling talent pipelines.
- United Way Hungary – The “United for CyberSafe Youth” program will be refreshed with AI‑focused modules, reaching an additional 1,500 secondary‑school students in classrooms and 2,000 learners via e‑learning, while also upskilling teachers to deliver the curriculum.
Enterprise Implications
The scale and geographic spread of these grants signal a concerted effort to address the chronic shortage of cybersecurity and AI talent—a pain point that continues to hinder digital transformation initiatives across sectors. For enterprise IT leaders, the emergence of a larger, better‑trained talent pool could reduce reliance on external consulting firms and enable more agile adoption of AI‑driven security solutions.
Moreover, the foundation’s alignment with governmental skill pledges suggests that future public‑private collaborations may become a standard model for workforce development. Companies that partner with these nonprofits or tap into their alumni networks could gain early access to candidates who have already been vetted on industry‑relevant tools and methodologies.
Funding Mechanics and Expected Outcomes
While the exact dollar amounts per grant were not disclosed, the cumulative impact is projected to touch over 100,000 individuals through direct training, mentorship, and placement services. Kyndryl Foundation’s approach—funding independent nonprofits rather than building proprietary training arms—offers a scalable, low‑overhead method of talent development. This strategy also mitigates the risk of duplication, as each grantee operates within its regional niche and leverages existing community relationships.
Looking Ahead
The expansion into France and Mexico marks the foundation’s first foray into Western Europe and Latin America, respectively. Both regions have reported acute shortages of cyber‑security professionals, with France estimating a deficit of 70,000 experts by 2027 and Mexico grappling with a broader digital skills gap. By establishing a foothold in these markets, Kyndryl positions itself as a catalyst for regional talent ecosystems, potentially paving the way for future collaborations on AI‑focused research and development.
The foundation’s roadmap suggests a continued emphasis on measurable outcomes—certifications, job placements, and partnership with governmental skill initiatives—rather than solely on the number of participants trained. As enterprises increasingly demand demonstrable ROI from upskilling programs, this results‑oriented model could become a benchmark for other corporate philanthropy efforts.
For organizations seeking to bolster their cybersecurity posture or accelerate AI adoption, the emergence of a more robust talent pipeline may translate into faster project timelines, reduced security incidents, and a stronger competitive edge in the market.
