2016 Q4 Board Book (Staff)

The December 8-9th, 2016 Board Meeting, focused on the Foundation's strategic planning, partnership development, and the expansion of its key initiatives, alongside a commitment to thought leadership and internal improvements. This period is marked by the Foundation's 10th anniversary, and includes a review of the past decade's impact while setting the stage for future strategies.

Key activities and initiatives during this quarter include:

1) Strategic Planning: The Foundation is actively engaged in developing its 2018-2020 strategic plan, with a particular focus on addressing youth employment in Africa. This includes an analysis of the economic and demographic landscape, and consideration of how to integrate its tools to drive greater impact. The strategy will focus on enhancing both the supply of skilled young people and the demand for those skills, as well as linking supply and demand more effectively.

2) Program Expansion: The Foundation continued to expand its key programs, including the Scholars Program, Rural and Agricultural Finance, and Next-Generation Mobile Financial Services. It added new partnerships in agriculture and digital financial services. The Foundation is also developing new initiatives, such as the Secondary Education Teacher Quality Initiative and the Rwanda Initiative for Youth Employment and Enterprise.

3) Financial Inclusion: The Mastercard Foundation Symposium on Financial Inclusion was held in Kigali, Rwanda, and brought together leaders and practitioners to discuss how to align financial services with customer needs. The Foundation awarded its second annual Clients at the Centre Prize at the Symposium. The Fund for Rural Prosperity continues to support innovative projects for smallholder farmers.

4) Education and Learning: The Foundation is working on the Secondary Education Teacher Quality Initiative in Rwanda. It is also developing a Partnership for Education and Leadership Development of Indigenous Youth in Canada, in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation. The Foundation is also supporting projects to enhance teacher training and improve education quality in Africa. The Scholars Program continues to be a major focus, with a focus on transitions, leadership development and community building.

5) Thought Leadership: The Foundation is growing its reputation as a thought leader, through convenings, speaking engagements and publications. It has increased its media coverage and is working to consolidate its narrative and points of view.

6) Internal Improvements: The Foundation has made strides in improving its program-related processes, including developing a risk framework and streamlining the proposal development process. It has also enhanced its talent development and integrated planning. Employee engagement has improved significantly.

Overall, the Mastercard Foundation’s activities in the fourth quarter of 2016 demonstrate a commitment to strategic program expansion, thought leadership, and internal excellence. The Foundation is focused on addressing youth employment in Africa and is leveraging its resources and expertise to promote education, financial inclusion, and economic opportunities. It has also made strides in strengthening its internal operations and fostering a culture of collaboration and learning.