History Spotlight 11 - Partnership with BRAC

In 2024, the Corporate History team launched “Our History, Our Legacy,” a three-year campaign to connect all employees globally to the Foundation’s history, milestones, and ways of working. One of the tactics within this promotional campaign included the release of "History Spotlights", which highlight the Foundation's past work, and emphasize its unique approach to philanthropy through trust-based partnerships, collaborative learning, and empowerment of youth in driving sustainable impact.

This eleventh History Spotlight was posted to the Foundation's internal communication channels on October 15, 2024 and included the following contextual information:

Step back to this month in 2008, a transformative year where the Mastercard Foundation forged our first significant program through partnership with BRAC: a comprehensive microfinance program in Africa. In Uganda, BRAC had already implemented a concept called “microfinance multiplied," reaching 34 villages and transforming the lives of over 300,000 individuals with financial services and holistic support. Intrigued by BRAC's holistic model, we eagerly joined forces to expand its impact. This partnership laid the cornerstone for our commitment to building trust through collaborative efforts. More than financial support, we nurtured a culture of shared problem-solving and dialogue, and built a blueprint for effective partnership that continues to shape the way we operate today.