2009 Q3 Board Book (Staff)

The September 28, 2009, Board Meeting focused on youth education and microfinance programs, and included a review of the Foundation's investment portfolio.

The Foundation's youth learning strategy focuses on the transition from school to work, with an emphasis on post-primary education in developing countries. Youth are defined as individuals between 12 and 24 years of age. The Foundation is interested in approaches that directly impact the lives of young people, engage youth leadership, create synergies with the microfinance program, and achieve scale. The Foundation aims to be a leader in advancing innovative approaches to youth learning.

The microfinance strategy focuses on expanding youth microfinance worldwide and scaling up microfinance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Foundation recognizes the need to mainstream youth microfinance into existing approaches and to develop a framework for youth microfinance with youth involvement. Additionally, the Foundation is exploring how to connect youth-serving organizations with microfinance institutions. The Foundation is also considering concentrating funding in East and West Africa to encourage cross-border learning.

The Board also discussed and approved funding for specific projects, including an $8 million grant to Opportunity International Canada to expand access to microfinance in Sub-Saharan Africa and a $4.4 million grant to Freedom from Hunger to develop and pilot microfinance integrated with education services for youth in Ecuador and Mali. The Foundation also renewed its membership in the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).