2011 Q4 Board Book (Staff)

The December 14-15th, 2011 Board Meeting focused on finalizing the Foundation's 2012-2014 strategic plan while continuing to expand its reach in microfinance and youth learning, with a strong emphasis on Africa. The Foundation aimed to catalyze prosperity, particularly for young people, through innovative and collaborative programs.

Key activities and developments included:

1) Finalizing the 2012-2014 Foundation Plan, which prioritizes Africa and emphasizes technology, growth sectors and rural areas, and innovation to connect youth learning and financial inclusion. The plan includes the development of two global signature programs, increased convenings, and team growth to support program expansion. The plan's goals include impacting 20 million people living in poverty and developing new models for learning, employment, and financial services for young people.

2) Developing signature programs such as the Rhodes-Foundation Scholarships for Africa and the 21st Century Scholars Program, which aims to enable academically bright yet disadvantaged youth to complete secondary and university education.

3) Expanding financial inclusion initiatives by partnering with organizations such as GSMA Mobile Money for the Unbanked, ACCION, SEEP, and the Boulder Institute of Microfinance. These partnerships aim to improve the use of mobile technology to extend financial services and build the capacity of microfinance institutions.

4) Strengthening youth learning programs through partnerships with Save the Children, ChildFund, The Talloires Network, and The World Bank. These initiatives focus on non-formal education, job readiness skills, and innovative employment models.

5) Building its reputation through participation in high-profile events such as the Clinton Global Initiative and the World Innovation Summit for Education. The Foundation also received Opportunity International's 2011 Women’s Leadership Award.

6) Continuing to learn and evaluate existing programs with progress reports given for partners such as BRAC, CARE, Microfinance Opportunities and Equity Group Foundation.

Overall, the Foundation demonstrated a strategic approach to its grant-making, while continuing to refine its approach to learning, and working to build its reputation as a leader in the fields of microfinance and youth learning. The Foundation also approved the budget for 2012.