2020 Q1 Board Book (Staff)

The April 2-3rd, 2020 Board Meeting, focused on the Foundation's commitment to its "Young Africa Works" strategy while also responding to emerging global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and a desert locust infestation. The Foundation is focused on measuring and understanding the impact of its programs through a holistic framework that goes beyond just counting numbers to consider the wider effects on individuals, families, communities and systems.

Key activities and initiatives include:

1) Strategic Shifts: The Foundation is making four major shifts in its strategy: focusing on young people (especially women), systems change, country and community-based ownership, and partnerships for scale. This includes aligning programs with national strategies in African countries and Indigenous systems in Canada.

2) Impact Measurement: The Foundation is developing a new framework to measure impact at three levels: program portfolio, country/national strategies and systems, and Foundation mission. This includes using both quantitative and qualitative data, engaging young people in co-defining "dignified work," and tracking changes in their lives. The Impact team will conduct independent reviews and evaluations at all levels. The Foundation will assess program partners for their potential to scale and transform.

3) COVID-19 Response: The Foundation is establishing a COVID-19 Recovery Fund for Africa and Canada. The Foundation is monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and restricting business-related travel.

4) Locust Infestation Response: The Foundation is seeking approval for $10 million to support the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in controlling the desert locust infestation in the Horn of Africa. The Foundation recognizes this as an extraordinary event that threatens its Young Africa Works goals.

5) Program Implementation: The Young Africa Works program continues in seven countries with $686.5 million committed to 57 partners and $135 million disbursed. The 70% gender target is proving to be challenging and requires specialized design. The Scholars Program has surpassed $1 billion in commitments.

6) Technology and Operations: The Foundation is building its technology capabilities, including replacing its grant management system, creating a data warehouse, and establishing a Business Intelligence unit. There is also a focus on establishing hubs and country offices in Senegal, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.

7) Financials: 2020 disbursements are projected to be $425 million. Operating expenses are budgeted at $70 million.

8) Learning and Evaluation: The Foundation is emphasizing learning and evaluation, including youth-led research, ethnographic studies and technology-enabled data collection. The Foundation is also establishing Impact and Insights Labs in Africa and Canada.

Overall, the Mastercard Foundation in Q1 2020 is actively working to implement its "Young Africa Works" strategy and is taking steps to measure impact more effectively. The Foundation is also responding to emerging challenges and building its technology and data capabilities while continuing to expand its programs in Africa and Canada.