Mastercard Foundation
An independent Canadian charitable foundation focused on education, financial inclusion, and dignified work, particularly for young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The Mastercard Foundation is an independent charitable foundation headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Mastercard Incorporated established it in 2006 in connection with the company's initial public offering. The foundation received 13.5 million Mastercard shares, together with a commitment of direct cash contributions during its first four years. Its charitable activity was subsequently supported primarily by dividends from those holdings, subject to the restrictions established in the foundation's founding arrangements. Although it was created by Mastercard, the foundation is a separate philanthropic organization rather than a card network, financial-services company, or operating subsidiary. During its first two years, Mastercard-appointed directors oversaw the organization while its shareholding accumulated dividends. In 2008, governance moved to an independent board, and Reeta Roy became its first independent president and chief executive. That transition helped establish the foundation's own programmatic identity and long-term philanthropic strategy. The foundation's early work addressed education and financial inclusion in developing countries. Its partnerships included programs intended to extend financial services to underserved communities, including smallholder farmers and rural households, and educational initiatives delivered through universities, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and private-sector partners. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, announced in 2012, became one of its most prominent education initiatives, supporting African students at secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels through a network of partner institutions. In 2018, the foundation concentrated its international development work more specifically on Africa through Young Africa Works, a long-term strategy intended to help up to 30 million young women and men secure or create dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The approach combines support for education and skills, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, job creation, and institutional or ecosystem development. Country programs have been announced or developed in markets including Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda, with implementation generally conducted through local institutions, governments, civil-society organizations, educators, employers, and other partners. The foundation also operates in Canada. Its EleV program supports Indigenous youth as they move through education and toward meaningful livelihoods. The program uses Indigenous-led and youth-informed partnerships, including regional anchor collaborations and catalytic or learning partnerships intended to strengthen systems, organizations, and economic opportunities. The Mastercard Foundation describes its broader purpose in terms of enabling people to learn and prosper while reducing barriers associated with gender, economic inequality, education, and access to decent work. It has supported activities in dozens of countries and distributes grants through both bilateral partnerships and multilateral organizations, including United Nations entities. As a large philanthropic institution, it is notable for the scale of its endowment and grantmaking; Wikipedia reports assets of approximately US$47 billion in 2024, although that figure should be interpreted as a time-specific reported asset value rather than operating revenue or sales.
History
The Mastercard Foundation was formed in 2006 as part of Mastercard Incorporated's initial public offering. Mastercard donated 13.5 million shares to the newly created independent charitable foundation. The shares were subject to a 21-year restriction on sale under the creation documents, while Mastercard also committed to provide US$40 million in direct cash contributions during the foundation's first four years. Because dividends from the donated shares were not available for charitable use until 2008, the foundation initially operated while its endowment was accumulating. For its first two years, the foundation was governed by a board appointed by Mastercard. In 2008, it adopted independent governance and appointed Reeta Roy as its first independent president and chief executive. This was a foundational institutional change: the organization retained its historical connection to Mastercard but developed its own board, leadership, grantmaking priorities, and public identity. The foundation's early mission combined two broad areas: expanding educational opportunity and improving financial inclusion in developing countries, alongside support for Indigenous youth in Canada. It implemented this work through partnerships rather than through commercial operations. Universities, research institutes, nongovernmental organizations, public bodies, multilateral institutions, and private companies have all served as potential delivery or knowledge partners. One early financial-inclusion partnership, launched with BRAC in 2008, sought to expand access to financial services for approximately two million people in Uganda. The foundation later created the Fund for Rural Prosperity in 2015 as a challenge fund for businesses developing scalable financial products and services for rural populations and smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. It also convened the Symposium on Financial Inclusion from 2013 through 2017, providing a forum for discussion of access, innovation, and policy in financial services. Education became another central pillar. In 2012, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was announced with a US$500 million commitment intended to support 15,000 African students at secondary, undergraduate, and master's levels. The program operated through partner educational institutions and sought to combine academic access with leadership development and pathways to contribution in students' communities and countries. Participating institutions included universities such as Duke University, which received a separate commitment through the scholars initiative. In 2017, the foundation launched EleV in Canada. The program was designed to support Indigenous youth through education and into meaningful livelihoods. Its partnership model emphasizes Indigenous leadership, youth participation, institutional change, and collaboration among communities, educators, employers, and other stakeholders. The initiative was expanded in 2019 with an objective of reaching 30,000 Indigenous youth. The organization's most consequential strategic shift came in 2018, when it adopted Young Africa Works as its long-term Africa strategy for 2018–2030. The strategy made youth employment and economic opportunity the organizing focus of much of the foundation's African grantmaking. Rather than treating employment as a single training outcome, Young Africa Works combines skills development, entrepreneurship, support for small businesses, financial inclusion, employer engagement, and efforts to improve the systems surrounding young workers. Country-specific commitments and partnerships were announced in Rwanda, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and other African markets. The Mastercard Foundation remains an active international nongovernmental and philanthropic organization. It reports working through bilateral grants and partnerships with national institutions as well as multilateral support involving United Nations and other development organizations. Its present profile is defined less by a consumer-facing product than by large-scale grantmaking aimed at reducing gender and economic inequality, widening access to quality education, and helping young people obtain dignified work. The foundation's reported asset scale makes it one of Canada's largest charitable foundations, but its activities are philanthropic rather than commercial.
- 2019
EleV target expanded
[1]The EleV program expanded its stated goal to support 30,000 Indigenous youth.
- 2018
Young Africa Works strategy introduced
[1]The foundation adopted a 2018–2030 Africa strategy centered on helping young people secure or create dignified work.
- 2017
EleV program launched
[1]The foundation introduced a Canadian program focused on Indigenous youth education and transitions to meaningful livelihoods.
- 2015
Fund for Rural Prosperity launched
[1]A challenge fund began backing private-sector approaches to financial inclusion in rural and agricultural communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
- 2013
First Symposium on Financial Inclusion
[1]The foundation convened the first Symposium on Financial Inclusion, an event that continued annually through 2017.
- 2012
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program announced
[1]The foundation committed US$500 million toward educational support for 15,000 African scholars.
- 2008
Independent governance begins
[1]The foundation moved from a Mastercard-appointed board to independent governance and appointed Reeta Roy as its first independent president and chief executive.
- 2008
BRAC financial-inclusion partnership in Uganda
[1]A partnership with BRAC was launched to broaden financial-services access for approximately two million people in Uganda.
- 2006
Foundation created during Mastercard's initial public offering
[1]Mastercard transferred 13.5 million shares to establish an independent charitable foundation and committed additional cash support during its first four years.
Products and positioning
A large independent philanthropic foundation focused on inclusive education, financial inclusion, youth employment, and economic opportunity, with a principal geographic emphasis on Africa and a dedicated commitment to Indigenous youth in Canada.
Youth employment and economic opportunity · 2018
Young Africa Works
Young Africa Works is the foundation's long-term Africa strategy for 2018–2030. It seeks to help up to 30 million young women and men secure or create dignified and fulfilling work. Programs combine skills and education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, employer partnerships, and support for institutions and ecosystems that influence youth employment. Implementation is organized through country-level partnerships with governments, local organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Scholarships and higher education · 2012
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Scholars Program supports academically talented young people from Africa through secondary, undergraduate, and master's-level education. It operates through a network of partner universities and other institutions, with an emphasis on access, leadership, community contribution, and pathways beyond graduation. The initiative was announced with a US$500 million commitment intended to support 15,000 African scholars.
Indigenous youth education and livelihoods · 2017
EleV Program
EleV is the foundation's Canadian initiative for Indigenous youth. It supports journeys through education and toward meaningful livelihoods through Indigenous-led partnerships, youth participation, education-sector collaboration, employer engagement, and efforts to strengthen community and regional systems. Its partnership structure includes anchor collaborations and catalytic or learning partnerships.
Rural financial inclusion · 2015
Fund for Rural Prosperity
The Fund for Rural Prosperity is a challenge-fund mechanism that supports private-sector businesses developing scalable approaches to financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa. Its focus includes rural communities and smallholder farmers, where distance, income volatility, and limited infrastructure can restrict access to appropriate financial products.
Knowledge and convening platform · 2013
Symposium on Financial Inclusion
The Symposium on Financial Inclusion was a foundation-hosted convening focused on research, policy, innovation, and practice in financial inclusion. It was held annually from 2013 through 2017 and helped connect development organizations, financial institutions, researchers, and policymakers.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Young Africa Works
Africa
A continent-focused strategy to expand pathways to dignified work for young people through education, skills, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and partnerships with governments and employers.
Outcome. The foundation stated an ambition to help up to 30 million young women and men secure or create work by 2030, with country programs subsequently announced in several African markets.
- 2017EleV
Canada
An Indigenous youth initiative supporting education, transition, and livelihood pathways through Indigenous-led and youth-informed partnerships.
Outcome. The program expanded its stated objective in 2019 to support 30,000 Indigenous youth.
Brand decisions
2018
Strategic refocus on Young Africa WorksStrategyBackground
The foundation reassessed its international strategy and identified youth employment and economic opportunity in Africa as a central long-term priority.
Action taken
It introduced Young Africa Works for 2018–2030, with an ambition to help up to 30 million young people secure or create dignified work.
Aftermath
The foundation announced country-level partnerships and commitments across multiple African markets, integrating employment, skills, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.
Stated strategy-wide commitment. US$500 million (2018–2030 strategy period)
2015
Launch of the Fund for Rural ProsperityProduct launchBackground
Rural households and smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa often faced limited access to formal financial services.
Action taken
The foundation created a challenge fund to support private-sector businesses with scalable financial-inclusion solutions.
Aftermath
The fund broadened the foundation's use of market-based partnerships alongside conventional grants to institutions and nongovernmental organizations.
2012
Launch of the Scholars ProgramProduct launchBackground
The foundation sought to address unequal access to quality secondary and tertiary education for young people in Africa.
Action taken
It announced a US$500 million commitment intended to support 15,000 African scholars through partner institutions.
Aftermath
The Scholars Program became one of the foundation's principal education initiatives.
Program commitment. US$500 million (Announced in 2012)
2008
Transition to independent governanceStrategyBackground
The foundation initially operated under a board appointed by Mastercard while dividends from its donated shares accumulated.
Action taken
It replaced the initial governance arrangement with an independent board and appointed Reeta Roy as independent president and chief executive.
Aftermath
The change established the foundation as a distinct philanthropic institution while preserving its endowment connection to Mastercard.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Jobberman launches ‘Her Next Move’ campaign[3]
Jobberman Nigeria launched the ‘Her Next Move’ campaign, which offers free online skills training to young Nigerian women. The initiative is described as being in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
Jobberman announces Alliance for Better Work initiative[4]
Reported:
Jobberman announced the Alliance for Better Work initiative, a recruitment program focused on Nigeria that offers employers access to a pool of pre-vetted jobseekers and recruitment and post-hiring support.
Triopia launches in Ethiopia[5]
Reported:
Startup studio 1888EC unveiled and launched Triopia, a travel and leisure platform in Ethiopia, at the opening of its Addis Ababa headquarters.
Sources5 sources
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