2011 Q3 Board Book (Staff)

The September 15-16th, 2011 Board of Directors Meeting focused on demonstrating a commitment to expanding financial inclusion and educational opportunities for youth, particularly in Africa, while also focusing on organizational development and strategic partnerships. A key theme is the emphasis on achieving greater impact through scalable and sustainable programs, with a focus on learning and evaluation.

Key activities and initiatives included:

1) A focus on microfinance, with significant commitments to organizations like BRAC Uganda, UNCDF, and CGAP. The Foundation is also supporting innovative approaches to youth financial services.

2) Investments in youth learning, with a focus on post-primary education, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. The Foundation is supporting programs like the Equity Group Foundation's scholarship program, and CAMFED's financial literacy program.

3) The launch of a new global university scholarship program to provide scholarships to 380 financially disadvantaged students. This includes partnerships with EARTH University, Ashesi University, and the American University of Beirut.

4) The development of a common measurement framework to track learning, earning, and saving across its "Nexus" projects. This reflects a focus on data-driven decision making.

The Meeting also included the formal election of Donald Morrison to the Board, and the approval of a $37.4 million grant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to increase financial services for unbanked people in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Board also acknowledged the Foundation's participation in several high profile global events, including the United Nations General Assembly, where the Foundation was invited to speak on a panel with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The Foundation is actively building its reputation through social media with growth in its Twitter followers and LinkedIn page views. These activities demonstrate the Foundation's dedication to strategic, impactful and innovative initiatives to benefit youth and communities around the world, with a focus on scalability, sustainability, and learning.