Program Development Guide
01
Introduction
Purpose of This Guide
This document provides guidance to potential partners through the Mastercard Foundation’s Program Development Process. It will enable stakeholders who are interested in partnering with the Foundation to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the Foundation operates and what is expected, not only from the prospective partner but from the Foundation as well.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion, enabling young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, strategies, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Senior Management.
The Foundation’s Charitable Purposes
The Foundation’s charitable purposes are:
- To establish, operate, and provide programs and services to help children and young people access education, understand and use technology, and develop the skills necessary to succeed in a diverse and global workforce.
- To establish, operate, and provide microfinance programs and services to financially disadvantaged persons and communities to economically enhance communities and develop entrepreneurs as a means of relieving poverty.
Two Program Areas
As per the Foundation’s charitable objectives, the Foundation has two program areas:
1. To advance education.
2. To advance Financial inclusion to catalyze prosperity in developing countries.
Vision
Opportunity for all to learn and prosper.
Mission
To advance youth learning and financial inclusion to catalyze prosperity in developing countries and to support Indigenous youth in Canada.
Values
Humility, Listening, Kindness & Respect, Co-creation, Impact.
Partner Organizations
The Mastercard Foundation works with partner organizations to implement its programs in Africa, Canada, and around the world, and is fully committed to partnering with African-led organizations and Indigenous institutions to unlock their full capacity and potential. The Foundation understands how critical this is to achieving its goals, which were established in collaboration with its stakeholders.
The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian Foundation and complies with regulations set out by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA recognizes organizations that are registered in Canada as Qualified Donees; this category also includes some universities outside of Canada, the United Nations, and its agencies. The CRA designates other organizations that are not registered in Canada as Non- Qualified Donees. The Foundation works with both Qualified and Non-Qualified Donees.
For more information on these distinctions, please refer to the CRA website.
Compliance Considerations
All Foundation-funded programs and activities must align with the Foundation’s charitable purposes of promoting youth education and alleviating poverty through financial inclusion. Below are some key compliance considerations:
- All activities funded by the Foundation, whether with private sector entities or other charitable organizations, must advance one or both of the Foundation’s charitable purposes.
- It is crucial that partnerships or programs delivered with private sector organizations are structured to provide an objectively measurable public benefit. This public benefit must outweigh any benefit to the private sector that might result incidentally from the program activities.
- All Foundation programs and activities must be undertaken through a written contract, which outlines the program’s activities, outputs, and use of the Foundation’s funds. This ensures that the Foundation can meet its legal obligations as a Canadian registered charity. The Mastercard Foundation does not fund lobbying activities.
Maximizing Public Benefit
When engaging with the private sector, the primary consideration for the Foundation is ensuring the purposes and activities being carried out are charitable. This means they must be directed towards the public benefit.
Working with Public Entities
The Foundation’s programs often involve various forms of engagement with governments and other public institutions. While the Foundation is independent, it will continue to align with and support national priorities, but the Foundation does not fund governments. However, the Foundation:
- Engages government throughout the strategy development process.
- Supports public institutions as part of program design and implementation.
- Supports policy development and implementation to effect systems-level change.
02
The Mastercard Foundation Strategy
Young Africa Works Strategy
Young Africa Works is the Foundation’s strategy to enable 30 million young people in Africa, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The strategy was developed in consultation with young people, partners, external experts, staff, and the Foundation’s Board of Directors. It was also informed by the Foundation’s extensive work across the continent.
Through the Young Africa Works strategy, the Foundation will focus on:
- Building the workforce through improved quality education, skills development, and vocational studies.
- Enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand and be sustainable through financial inclusion, access to markets, and capacity strengthening.
- Aligning with growing economic sectors, such as Agriculture, Digital Economy, and Tourism in each country where the Foundation works.
Mastercard Foundation EleV Program
Indigenous youth in Canada represent the fastest-growing segment of the population and are powerful agents of change for their communities and the country. The Mastercard Foundation responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Comission’s Calls to Action.
In 2017, the Foundation launched the EleV Program, which aims to enable 100,000 Indigenous young people to access post-secondary education and transition to meaningful livelihoods. The EleV Program seeks to transform education and employment systems through innovative approaches found in the vision and values of Indigenous youth, communities, and Nations.
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Young Africa Works Programming Platforms
Country Programs
The Foundation’s Country Programs focus on delivering Young Africa Works across seven countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal.
In Senegal, the Foundation is driving the delivery of programs across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which comprises Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea- Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The Country Programs were created to bridge the gap in specific sectors between young people entering the labour market and the skills employers are seeking.
Pan-African Program
As part of the Young Africa Works strategy, the Pan-African Program (PANA) aims to enable young women and men across the continent to access dignified and fulfilling work. PANA’s priorities include accelerating and scaling impact beyond the Foundation’s current seven African countries of presence, strengthening African institutions, and contributing to systemic changes that will shape entrepreneurial African economies and create equitable, resilient, and sustainable societies.
Education and Transitions Programs
The Mastercard Foundation Education and Transitions Programs ensure young people are prepared for fulfilling work and empowered to lead inclusive growth and social change. This program area covers secondary and tertiary education, technical and vocation studies, support for the development of teachers, and the promotion of Education Technology (EdTech) entrepreneurs.
Special Programs and Health
The Mastercard Foundation’s Special Programs and Health initiatives work to ensure the long-term health security of Africa by developing the workforce for vaccine manufacturing and strengthening the Africa CDC through the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative. Special Programs also include initiatives such as Community Health Workforce Development.
Strategic Programs and Innovation
These programs drive inclusion and innovation. They include partnerships with organizations led by young people, and support for refugees, displaced persons, and those living with disabilities.
04
The Mastercard Foundation Program Development Process
Inquiries & Proposed Ideas
- As the Foundation often receives proposed ideas from various organizations, this stage serves as an informal intake process to discuss these ideas, lessons, or proposed programs. The Foundation seeks to understand how these ideas may align with its charitable purposes and strategy. The intent is to promptly communicate whether or not an idea will proceed to a formal concept note.
Concept Note
- This is a formal opportunity for prospective partners to submit a concept note for consideration.
At this stage, the Foundation reviews the concept and conducts high-level due diligence and assessment of the partner organization. - The concept note is reviewed for fit of strategy, scale of impact, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission and goals.
A summary of the core activities, target groups, and other key program components are also reviewed at this stage (e.g., partner capacity, ensuring differentiated value-add, highlevel budget, etc.), noting that not all program details may be known or finalized at this point of the process. - The Foundation will collaborate with the prospective partner organization to conduct a high-level due diligence process that will review the partner organization’s governance, conflict of interest, child and youth safeguarding policies, and audited financial statements (where applicable).
- The prospective partner will be informed of the Foundation’s detailed due diligence process that will be conducted in the next phase, if the concept is approved to progress.
- There will be a formal communication on whether or not the submitted concept note will progress to the next stage.
Proposal Development & Due Diligence
- The Foundation develops its programs through a co-creation approach with its partners. The Foundation will facilitate a co-design workshop and jointly develop the program interventions that will be achieved in line with desired impact outcomes.
- Detailed guidelines and tools are provided to potential partners to support them during the proposal development process. The guidelines will outline the essential elements to include in the proposal, such as the program’s objectives, connection to charitable purposes, anticipated impact, and governance structure. Each program will be assigned a primary Foundation point person who will collaborate with each partner to ensure their proposal meets all requirements.
- The detailed due diligence process is conducted, which builds on the high-level due diligence conducted during the concept stage and will evaluate the organization’s operational and financial capacity (through a detailed organizational questionnaire), program risks, compliance risks, and more.
- Throughout the proposal development process, there may be opportunities to refine, review, or decide against proceeding with the program, and this will be communicated promptly to the partner organization.
Program Review & Approval
All programs, regardless of their budget size, geographical coverage, or complexity, undergo a thorough review at various stages of the program development process. The Foundation implements different stages of reviews to enhance program design and ensure strategic alignment with its objectives. These reviews include Peer Reviews, Management Reviews, and, when applicable, Board Reviews.
Contracting & Disbursement
- Finalizing the contract is the decisive step that confirms the program’s commencement. Upon completion of this step, disbursement is made to initiate the program’s implementation in line with the terms of the contract, and a detailed onboarding is organized for the partner organization
Program Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
This stage will ensure:
- Effective execution of the workplan, developed in the Proposal Development phase and finalized in the contract.
- Continuous documentation and tracking of the progress of the program against defined milestones and timelines.
- Evaluation of outcomes and impact against defined metrics and objectives.
- Opportunities to address any issues or challenges that arise during the implementation phase and manage partnerships to realign to goals, including tracking any key changes.
- Documentation and sharing of lessons learned to scale impact.
- Efficient program close-out process, including evaluating options for renewal or scale-up.
- Formalization of the completion of the implementation phase.
Step 0: Inquiries and Proposed Ideas
The Foundation’s partnership process begins with an idea. For this idea to progress into a concept, it must be in line with the Foundation’s mission and charitable purpose. The ideation stage is an opportunity to learn and brainstorm with key stakeholders, ecosystem actors, and prospective partners.
Step 1: Concept Note
If there is alignment at the idea stage, the Foundation team may request a Concept Note through an Expression of Interest (EOI) Process from the partner. This is a request to prospective or existing partners to develop and submit a program concept in response to an idea or intervention on how they can contribute to the strategic vision of the Young Africa Works strategy within a specific country or program area.
Before inviting partners to submit an EOI / Concept Note, the partner organizations and the Foundation will have numerous opportunities to engage and discuss the strategic roadmap. Partners will also be provided with guidance documents and tools that can support them.
The Foundation may utilize any of the following Expressions of Interest (EOI) approaches:
- Single-source EOI: For prospective partners already known to the Foundation.
- Closed EOI: For a known market of prospective partners.
- Open EOI: For an unknown market of partners
The Foundation encourages collaboration and coordination with other implementing partners and stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes within the country or program area, and aims to partner with organizations that:
- Share the Foundation’s vision and align with its values.
- Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, and youth engagement through policies, programs, and practices.
- Clearly communicate alignment with its strategic vision, strategic roadmap, and outcomes.
- Have completed a high-level due diligence process.
The partner will respond with a high-level EOI / Concept Note outlining how they and/or program will:
- Contribute to the strategic vision and outcomes sought within the specific country / program area.
- Achieve the outcomes and ensure equity and inclusion goals are met.
- Collaborate with/leverage other implementing partners within the ecosystem that can bring together diverse experiences to catalyze sustainable impact.
- Play a role in collaborating or coordinating with other implementing partners or stakeholders to achieve strategic and intermediate outcomes within the country/program strategy.
- Address specific gap(s) in support of the strategic vision, including the collective impact and delivery of the roadmap.
The EOIs received are then assessed by the Foundation to ensure the partner organization has:
- Strategic alignment with the Foundation’s mission and goals.
- The expertise and experience to support program delivery and capability to reach rural areas in support of young women and marginalized groups.
- A program design that is clear and coherent, responding to all the questions outlined in the Request for Expression of Interest. The design includes a clear understanding of the needs of the target group(s), operating context, and
principles of diversity and inclusion. - Met the high-level due diligence requirements and has the capacity to implement the program to achieve the desired impact. The Foundation will provide capacity accompaniment support to partner organizations when and where required.
- Provided a budget that clearly outlines cost items with activities and country context.
The Foundation is committed to supporting youth-led organizations and will ensure a pragmatic approach and an efficient process, including capacity accompaniment to these organizations in support of its mission.
Once the organization submits an EOI / Concept Note, this formally kicks off the Program Development cycle and the Foundation aims to respond to organizations promptly on the decision whether or not to enter into proposal development, typically within 20 business days.
Step 2: Proposal Development and Due Diligence
In line with the Foundation’s value of co-creation, proposals are developed through a process of co-design, bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences, and ensuring shared ownership and accountability.
Outlined below are the key steps/components of the Proposal Development and Due Diligence Stage:
A. Partner Proposal Co-Design Workshop
A proposal co-design meeting onboards prospective partner(s) to the Foundation’s values and key concepts guiding its work (e.g., charitable purposes, safeguarding, impact, gender, communication for impact). It also provides an opportunity for the Foundation to better understand the work of its partners.
The workshop delves into the proposal package materials, country/program roadmap, and partnership roles and responsibilities. The Foundation’s integrated program team and partner institutions will discuss program design, budgeting, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, scenario planning with risk mitigation strategies, and more. While the Proposal Co-Design stage is not a guarantee for program approval, it will deliver the following outcomes:
- A mutual understanding of the priorities, principles, and values guiding each partner organization.
- Familiarity with the Mastercard Foundation’s proposal development processes and specific requirements.
- Clarity on the program’s overarching goals, including the challenge it seeks to address and the impact it looks to achieve.
- Criteria and considerations for determining the geographic scope of the program, where applicable.
- Collaborative mapping of the context, highlighting critical barriers, underlying drivers, and key opportunities for the program.
- Defined pathways of change, along with a clear articulation of assumptions, potential risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Identifying critical conditions necessary for scaling the program’s impact and ensuring its sustainability.
- Initiating discussions around strategies for inclusion and equity, as well as defining measures of success.
- Identifying critical capabilities needed and considerations for the program’s success.
- Developing a workplan and timeline for the proposal and budget submission.
B. The Proposal
The written Proposal will provide key details about the program. The content will address the proposed program’s objectives, core activities, anticipated outcomes, and impacts. It will also outline how the program will be implemented, timelines, budgets, and other critical information.
The proposal package consists of the following documents:
- Program Details
- Interventions and Key Activities
- Expected Impact Outcomes
- Program, Budget and Financial Analysis
- Detailed Organizational Questionnaire
C. Due Diligence
The Foundation conducts a detailed Due Diligence process for all programs under consideration. This process encompasses a broad approach to “getting to know an organization and its people,” including legalities and risks. Due Diligence will be conducted throughout the program development process.
As part of the Due Diligence process, the Foundation assesses various levels of risks associated with a program, including:
1. Program Due Diligence: A review of the program design, relevance, innovation, and sustainability. A field visit may be required to fully assess the program and country risk. An external reviewer and a youth representative may also review the program.
2. Organizational Due Diligence:
- Reference calls to other donors, partners, or stakeholders will be conducted.
- Evidence that documented organizational policies are in place (e.g., child and youth safeguarding, anti-bribery/corruption, anti-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering, code of conduct, and conflict of interest).
3. Legal Due Diligence:
Copy of the Articles of Incorporation or other registration documents.
- Copy of the certificate of charitable status (if applicable).
- For Canadian charities: Submit a copy of your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registration.
- For US charities: Submit a copy of your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter.
- For all other country charities: Submit a copy of the relevant charitable status documentation.
- Additional documentation may be required upon the Foundation’s request.
4. Finance Due Diligence:
- The organization’s two most recent annual reports and two most recent audited financial statements, if not included in the annual report.
- The organization’s two most recent government filings (e.g., tax returns).
- All necessary details for key management personnel and short biographies of each member of the Board.
Step 3: Reviews and Approval
All programs are reviewed at various stages, regardless of their budget size. The process includes feedback from peer reviewers, a leadership review, and, for select proposals, Board reviews.
Management reviews only select proposals due to factors such as budget size and complexity. Feedback at this stage is intended to identify areas where the proposal can be strengthened, potential risks/emerging issues, and associated response strategies.
Overall, the Review process is fundamental in ensuring that each program is designed with rigour, and clarity to ensure the Foundation and the partner organization are aligned on key objectives and outcomes.
Step 4: Contracting and Disbursement
A. Contracting
The Contracting process includes signing a Contractual Agreement and finalizing program plans, which include a detailed and fully approved proposal document, Year 1 Workplan, Year 1 Budget, Communication plans, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning plans with key milestones or deliverables. Funds must be disbursed using Year 1 plans (see Section B below for further details regarding disbursement).
The Foundation’s Contractual Agreements outline key accountabilities for the partner and the Foundation, which enable the Foundation to satisfy its legal and compliance obligations as a Canadian registered charity. Certain legal and compliance obligations require the Foundation to demonstrate direction and control over the use of its funds, verify the use of its resources, and maintain its books and records.
To meet these requirements, the Foundation’s program contracts require a high level of due diligence and reporting.
At this stage, the Foundation prepares a draft of the appropriate agreement for its partners to review in parallel with internal reviews and approvals of the partnership. Its partners can share questions and feedback on the contract before the Agreement is finalized.
B. Disbursement
Program costs cannot be incurred and funds cannot be transferred to a partner until all parties have signed the Agreement. Once signed, payment can be released.
The payment schedule depends on the program’s length, whether the partner is a qualified donee or non-qualified donee, and the nature of the contract. Payment from the Foundation will usually be released to the partner in stages. For multi-year programs, these disbursements will generally take place on an annual basis in accordance with a detailed Disbursement Budget.
A Disbursement Budget details the disbursement of funds and projected timing for the upcoming year (e.g., Year 1 by quarter for the initial disbursement, then in the following year, Year 2 by quarter for the subsequent disbursement). This is typically drafted annually or as agreed upon with the Foundation.
Before receiving a disbursement of funds for subsequent years of a multi-year program, the partner will need to demonstrate satisfactory performance, which includes the partner’s demonstrated compliance with reporting requirements.
A written contract schedule will accompany the disbursement of funds in a multi-year project. This schedule must outline the activities for which the funds will be used and include the Disbursement Budget. It must be signed by the partner and the Foundation.
The Schedule is used to outline the payments against deliverables, and it has three sections:
- Part 1: Workplan (milestones and timeline).
- Part 2: Annual Disbursement Budget (inserted by the Foundation based on the submitted Disbursement Budget).
- Part 3: Reporting requirements (annual, quarterly, within 30 days following the end of the period, etc.).
C. Compliance with Communication Guidelines
The Mastercard Foundation’s communication guidelines focus on communicating impact and the proper use and approval of the Foundation’s brand, marks, and logo. Public announcements, particularly to the media, are discouraged at this stage and will be developed to communicate impact during the partnership cycle.
Detailed Communication and Branding Guidelines are shared with partners as part of the onboarding process before the Program Implementation commences.
Step 5: Program Implementation
Learning is an intentional part of how the Foundation works. Its approach to monitoring, evaluation, and learning is monitoring comprehensively, evaluating selectively, and learning continuously.
A. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
The Foundation believes the lessons learned from program should enable the Foundation and its partners to refine strategies, improve implementation, generate results, and drive progress towards goals. With this framing, the purpose of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) is to create an integrated and collaborative approach that allows the Foundation to:
- Make data-informed decisions.
- Continuously learn to improve its work.
- Achieve the impact it seeks.
Each partner will work with the primary point person at the Foundation to guide this process. This collaborative work begins at the Proposal stage, where the monitoring and evaluation component is developed, and is followed by a discussion at Contracting about the program workplan.
The Foundation’s approach to MEL seeks to ensure that:
- Monitoring plans are in place, and the implementing organization has the capacity and resources to implement them.
- Periodic and annual program and financial reports from partners are received according to an agreed-upon reporting schedule, and the Foundation’s primary point person and finance person provide substantive feedback to the partner.
- Field visits are conducted by Foundation staff, and knowledge is captured to inform program implementation.
- Evaluation and Reviews are in place, including hiring external evaluation consultants, if needed, and appropriate resources are allocated. Since the Foundation evaluates programs on a selective basis, it will determine whether an independent evaluation should be included in the program design during Proposal Development. The Proposal template contains a section focused on MEL to help guide this decision.
- Course corrections, if needed, are made based on the information generated from reporting mechanisms.
- Learning about a partner’s work on the program is a continuous process, using comprehensive monitoring and selective evaluation. The Foundation encourages the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned from its partners’ programs.
Lessons learned generated from its programs are shared with partners, staff, the Board of Directors, and external audiences through learning publications, reports, and the Foundation’s website.
Further Inquiries can be directed to our online form here.
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Appendices
APPENDIX A: Guidelines for Proposal Drafting
General Guidelines
- The purpose of these guidelines is to support proposal drafting during the proposal co-design stage. It outlines the questions that must be answered in the proposal document to facilitate the legal and compliance team’s review and ensure compliance with its legal obligations.
- Please endeavour to write in the active voice and be as direct and specific as possible. Avoid vague terms and concepts.
- Please use headings, sub-headings, tables, and other schematics to help organize and clarify your responses.
Executive Summary
- Summarize the charitable purpose(s) of the program, clearly indicating whether this program aligns with the Foundation’s charitable purpose(s) of the advancement of education for youth and/or financial inclusion for persons or communities with limited financial means (e.g., “The program advances the Foundation’s charitable purpose of the advancement of education for youth by providing vocational training to young men and women under the age of 35. The training will be provided in accordance with a certified and structured curriculum, culminating in a certification/formal designation for participants”).
- At a high level, describe the individuals or communities that the program will support, consistent with the purpose of the program.
- Briefly describe the Program’s core activities (e.g., “The program will have three pillars: education and training for youth, start-up support for businesses led by youth with limited financial means, and non-partisan advocacy work to promote policy change to address challenges uniquely experienced by entrepreneurs with limited financial means”).
- For each of the core activities, provide a short summary of the specific activities that will be carried out (e.g., “Under the education pillar, 5,000 youth will be enrolled in a virtual program that will teach them how to start a business”).
- Summarize the short and long-term impact the program will have on the individuals or communities it will serve.
Strategic Alignment
- Are there other programs in the Foundation’s portfolio that address the same or similar issues as the program? How will this program complement or link to these efforts?
- Describe how the program is designed to be sustainable after the Foundation’s involvement/funding comes to an end.
Charitable Purpose and Program Impact
Charitable Purpose
- Describe the connections between each of the components or pillars of the program to illustrate how each component is a necessary link in the programmatic chain of events that enables the intended charitable impact.
- Provide evidence (studies, analyses, examples of other programs) that supports the Theory of Change.
Participant Eligibility
- Will the program include participants that receive direct support? If so, who are these participants? The participants should relate back to the charitable purpose of the program (e.g., “The program will provide direct support to 15,000 youth with limited financial means”).
- Explain the direct supports they will receive (e.g., “Each eligible youth will receive a micro-loan to support the establishment of a new business, together with training and initial business development services”).
- Explain the eligibility and selection criteria for participants. If the Program is targeted at poverty relief, the criteria should identify how you will verify that participants have limited financial means.
Direct support and indirect impact on program participants
- Describe the intended indirect impacts of the program on participants that are aligned with the charitable purpose of the program (e.g., “The program is expected to create access to 10,000 new jobs for youth with limited financial means”).
- Please explain how those indirect impacts will be created.
Specific program activities
- Describe each program activity. Please provide the following information for each activity:
- The specifics of how the activity will be carried out, including all logistical details (e.g., for an education program, how will participants apply to participate or be enrolled? Are there fees to participate? Who will develop the educational curriculum? What is the curriculum? Who will deliver the curriculum and what are their qualifications?).
- The location(s) of each activity.
- Whether the activity will involve the purchase of any physical or capital assets or equipment.
- Whether the activity will involve the enhancement of any existing intellectual property or the development of any new intellectual property. If so, who owns the IP?
- Describe any loans, guarantees, or grants of cash or equipment that will be made as part of the activity.
- The timeline to implement the activity.
- Which partner will implement each specific activity.
- Are there any details about a particular intervention that have not yet been developed? What details remain to be worked out?
Flow of funds
- Confirm how much of the overall program budget each implementing partner/sub-contractor will receive for the activity(ies) that they will carry out.
- If possible, please provide a diagram or flow chart clearly indicating the flow of funds to each partner and the corresponding activities they will carry out.
Partner Capacity and Engaging Ecosystem Actors
Lead Implementing Partner
- Describe your organization’s legal status, ownership structure (if applicable), and governance structure
Other Implementing Partners/Sub-Contractors
- Describe each partner/sub-contractor that will implement any portion of the program (legal status, ownership, governance, location of head office and operations, year established, mission, impact to date).
- If any of the implementing partners/sub-contractors have not yet been identified, please explain how you will select such partners/sub-contractors to deliver the program activities (including procurement and RFP process to be followed).
- Describe each partner’s specific role.
Ecosystem Actors/Stakeholders
- Are there other organizations or entities working to address the same or similar issues as the program? How will your program complement or link to these efforts?
- Will any individuals or entities that are NOT program participants (i.e., they are not in financial need or youth receiving education) be involved in or receive any type of benefit from the program? This may include government officials, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private sector organizations. If yes, please list them.
- For each entity or stakeholder, please explain:
- What they do will do, or how they will be engaged.
- Why their participation is necessary to achieve the intended impact.
- Whether they will receive any funds or benefits (directly or indirectly).
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
- Describe how you will monitor and assess the progress of the program, as well as outcomes and key indicators, including the tools that will be used (e.g, indicator tracking and reporting).
- How will the program adapt to ongoing program learnings and emerging insights?
- How will you ensure the program goals are achieved?
Risks
As applicable, provide details related to risk mitigation, elimination, or response strategies that can/will be implemented.
Budget
- Ensure each budget line item corresponds with each program activity.
- Include a breakdown of the budget by the implementing partner.
APPENDIX B: Impact Definitions
The Foundation measures its contribution to impact at three levels:
As the Foundation learns, it adjusts and shares its knowledge of transformative change with the broader community to influence systems that accelerate opportunities for millions of young women and men.
Youth-in-Work
Dignified and Fulfilling Work
The Mastercard Foundation defines dignified and fulfilling work as either waged employment or self-employment in which the employed young person agrees that their work is aligned with at least two of the following dignified and fulfilling work markers:
- Reliable income refers to income that meets the needs of youth and their dependents OR an increase in income compared to existing/previous work over a consistent period).
- Reputable refers to work that is viewed as honest and is well regarded by society at large.
- Respect in the workplace refers to being treated with appreciation and dignity at work.
- Sense of purpose refers to a sense of satisfaction, purpose, and accomplishment.
Shared Outcomes
Young Africa Works aims to realize its ambition of enabling 30 million young Africans, including 21 million young women, access dignified and fulfilling work by contributing to strengthening financial & sector markets, labour markets, and education and training systems through seven Shared Outcomes. Our programming is centred around responding to both the most immediate and urgent needs of young women and men, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized, and engaging with the systems and systemic conditions that create and drive the barriers that young people face in accessing and harnessing opportunities for dignified and fulfilling work.
Our seven Shared Outcomes are as follows:
- Equitable access to increased market opportunities: Markets and market products are more reliable, diversified, and accessible to youth, particularly to those with limited financial means.
- Deepened financial inclusion: Increased and equitable access to financial products, capital, and literacy.
- Increased contribution of technological solutions: A broader range of technology solutions are available and accessible to promote inclusion, learning, productivity, and market access.
- Skilled and capable young people: Young people have strengthened soft and hard skillsets, mindsets, and aspirations to compete in the labor market.
- Organizational effectiveness enhanced: Organizations have stronger management processes, leadership capabilities, human resources, structures, and infrastructure, including networks and linkages to markets.
- Strong formal and informal institutions: Policy and regulatory frameworks (formal) and traditional authorities or Indigenous leadership (non-formal), positively influence and enable youth-centered growth and development.
- Youth rights, inclusion, and voice strengthened: Youth, especially those with limited financial means, have the agency, voice, and abilities to choose and influence change processes in their families, communities, countries, and beyond.
APPENDIX C: Frequently Asked Questions
About The Mastercard Foundation
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Q1: What is the difference between Mastercard and the Mastercard Foundation?
A: The Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard Inc. when it became a public company. At the time, Mastercard Inc. contributed a one-time gift of stock to create a Foundation that bears the Mastercard name. However, the Mastercard Foundation is an independent Canadian non-profit organization with its own Board of Directors and senior management team.
Q2: What does the Foundation primarily support?
A: The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that was set up to further two specific charitable purposes: to advance education of children and youth so they can succeed in a diverse and global workforce, and to carry out and establish microfinance programs and services to economically enhance communities and develop entrepreneurs as a means of relieving poverty.
Q3: Are there restrictions on what the Foundation can support?
Partnering With The Mastercard Foundation
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Q5: Who does the Mastercard Foundation partner with?
A: The Mastercard Foundation partners with private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, multilateral institutions, United Nations agencies, and universities. The Foundation’s charitable programs often involve interactions with government and public institutions. As an independent foundation, it will continue to align with and support national priorities, but the Foundation does not fund governments.
Q6: Does the Foundation prefer to partner with a single implementing partner or a consortium of implementing partners?
A: The Foundation works with various partnership models and aims to ensure the greatest impact is realized from our investment. The type of partnership will depend on the program’s strategy, outcomes, and reach.
Q7: What does the Foundation look for in potential programs and partners?
A: The Foundation looks for organizations that share its vision and values and have the capabilities to implement programs aligned with the Foundation’s strategies in education and/or financial inclusion.
Depending on the program’s objectives, the Foundation seeks partners with new or innovative approaches to overcome barriers. In large-scale programs, the Foundation looks for partners that have financial systems to manage and track the usage of funds over multiple years. The Foundation has prioritized working with African and Indigenous organizations, including those led by young people, especially young women.
Q8: The Foundation aims for 75 percent of its implementing partners to be African. How does the Foundation define an African organization?
A: An African organization must meet all four of the following criteria:
• Its principal place of business is in Africa.
• Its incorporation originates from the continent and is led from the continent.
• Africans lead, make decisions, and determine how the organization’s resources are managed.
• It has a primarily African Board of Directors and/or is led by individuals originating from an African state.Q9: Can a potential partner co-create more than one program concurrently with different programmatic platforms of the Foundation?
A: Yes. A prospective partner can co-create more than one program concurrently with different programmatic platforms or countries of operation. Our programs are
A prospective partner can work with different teams depending on their capacity, sectoral experience, and the Foundation’s internal evaluation of the proposed interventions that will enable the Foundation to reach its intended outcomes. Partners are encouraged to state if
they are involved in multiple collaborations to ensure synergies, shared lessons learned, and possible integration to achieve impact at scale.Q10: Does the Mastercard Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
A: Currently, the Mastercard Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The Foundation issues Expressions of Interest or Requests for Proposals that align with its strategic priorities. As a learning organization, the Foundation is open to dialogue across sectors and sharing of insights aligned with its mission.
Partnership Development Process
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Q11: What is the Mastercard Foundation’s approach to program development process?
A: The Foundation views program funding as a partnership, emphasizing close collaboration with the partner throughout the entire process. This approach engages the partner(s) and the Foundation in co-creating the proposed program. The Foundation seeks innovative solutions, embraces learning, and strives to be agile and adaptive based on what it learns. The early stages of the program development process ensure the programs meet the Foundation’s objectives and create meaningful and sustainable impact.
Below are the key stages of the program development process. In instances where delays may be experienced due to various factors, the Foundation is committed to keeping its partners informed and maintaining open communication throughout the entire process.
• Inquiries & Proposed Ideas: If the idea is aligned with the Foundation’s strategic choices and funding approach, the Foundation will then formally invite a prospective or existing partner organization to submit a concept note, which marks the beginning of the Program Development process.
• Concept Note: If the idea is aligned with the Foundation’s strategic choices and funding approach, the Foundation will then formally invite a prospective or existing partner organization to submit a concept note, which marks the beginning of the Program Development process.
• Proposal Development: The Foundation develops its programs through a co-creation approach with its partners. The Foundation holds co-design workshops and jointly develops program interventions that will achieve desired impact outcomes. Detailed guidelines and tools are provided to potential partners to support them during the Program Development process. The process will outline the essential elements to include in the proposal, such as the program’s objectives, connection to charitable purposes, anticipated impact, and governance structure. Each program will be assigned a primary Foundation point person who will collaborate with each partner to ensure their proposal meets all requirements.
• Proposal Reviews and Approvals: All programs, regardless of their budget size, undergo a thorough review at various stages of the development process. There are various stages of reviews to enhance program design and ensure strategic alignment with objectives. These reviews include Peer Reviews, Management Reviews, and, when applicable, Board Reviews.
• Contracting and Disbursement: Throughout the Program Development process, there may be opportunities to refine, review, or decide against proceeding with the program. Finalizing the contract is the decisive step that confirms the program’s commencement. Upon completion of this step, disbursement is made to initiate the program’s implementation as per the terms of the contract.Q12: Are partners required to submit supplementary materials?
A: While the tools provided to partners during the Program Development process are comprehensive and capture all the essential information, supplementary materials may be
requested during the due diligence, program development, or program implementation stages.Q13: Can I submit the same proposal to different program areas/countries for funding?
A: No, we cannot accept the same proposal for different program areas/countries, as each programmatic area or country will have specific requests tailored to its needs, which will be issued through Requests for Proposals that align with our strategic priorities.
Q14: What are the deadlines for submitting applications?
A: When a partner is invited to submit an Expression of Interest, they are provided with clear guidance on the timelines for document submission and when they will receive feedback from the Foundation.
Q15: What is the typical length of a partnership?
A: The length of a partnership primarily depends on the scope and objectives of the program that is being implemented. Partnerships could run from one year, where an idea may be tested, to 10 years for some education programs. On average, partnerships run for three to five years for the majority of the Foundation’s programs.
Q16: How does the Foundation prioritize which program to develop over a certain period?
A: The Foundation periodically reviews its program priorities to determine the types of partnerships to develop over a given period. All program concepts are assessed against these priorities to identify which programs will be developed and when.
Q17: What countries does the Foundation focus on?
A: The Foundation’s geographic focus is primarily on Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, as this is where the Foundation believes its programs will have the greatest opportunity to create a meaningful impact.
The Foundation will deliver its Young Africa Works strategy through seven in-depth Country Programs (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal), and its Pan-African programs works in many African countries. Similarly, the Education and Transitions programs also work across the continent.
The EleV Program in Canada seeks to transform education and employment systems through innovative approaches found in the vision and values of Indigenous youth, communities, and Nations.
Q18: Who will I be working with at the Foundation?
A: Each partnership is assigned a Foundation primary point person. As a program moves through the different phases of program development, a more fulsome team will be established to support a partner throughout the co-design process.
Q19: Is an invitation to submit a Concept Note or Proposal a guarantee for approval?
A: No. A proposed program, whether at the Concept Note or Review and Approval stage, may be declined at any stage of the program development process. Reasons for such decisions will be communicated to partners. Programs are considered approved once a contract has been issued and signed by all parties involved.
Q20: When does due diligence start?
A: There are two major phases for due diligence during the program development process.
• Concept Stage: This is a high-level due diligence check on the organization’s governance, conflict of interest, child and youth safeguarding policies, and audited financial statements (where applicable).
• Proposal Development: At this stage, the Foundation conducts more detailed due diligence to evaluate the organization’s operational and financial capacity (through a detailed organizational questionnaire), program risks, compliance risks, and more.The above applies primarily to new partnerships, scale-up programs, and renewals. The Foundation is committed to supporting youth-led organizations in Africa and has developed a pragmatic due diligence approach for organizations in this category.
Q21: What due diligence documents will partners be expected to submit to the Foundation?
1. Program Due Diligence:
A review of the program design, relevance, innovation, and sustainability. A field visit may be required to fully assess the program and country risk. An external reviewer and a youth representative may also review the program.
2. Organizational Due Diligence:
• Reference calls to other donors, partners, or stakeholders will be conducted.
• Evidence that documented organizational policies are in place (e.g., child and youth safeguarding, antibribery/ corruption, anti-terrorist financing and antimoney laundering, code of conduct, and conflict of interest).3. Legal Due Diligence:
Copy of the Articles of Incorporation or other registration documents:
•Copy of the certificate of charitable status (if applicable).
• For Canadian charities: Submit a copy of your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registration.
• For US charities: Submit a copy of your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter.
• For all other country charities: Submit a copy of the relevant charitable status documentation.
• Additional documentation may be required upon the Foundation’s request.4. Finance Due Diligence:
• The organization’s two most recent annual reports and two most recent audited financial statements, if not included in the annual report.
• The organization’s two most recent government filings (e.g., tax returns).
• All necessary details for key management personnel and short biographies of each member of the Board.Program Budget And Funding
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Q22: What are the maximum budget amounts per level of funding?
A: The Foundation does not prescribe specific budget limits. Instead, the budget size is determined by the interventions, activities, and anticipated impact of the proposed program.
The Foundation encourages innovation and creativity in designing impactful programs with partners, emphasizing efficiency with budget allocation and leveraging insights from previous programs.
Q23: What is the project delivery fee (also known as indirect cost)?
A: The Foundation considers indirect costs as expenses that cannot be directly attributed to the project being funded. These are costs for activities or services that are shared among projects and are part of an organization’s regular operations. Here are a few examples of costs that the Foundation considers to be indirect costs:
• Existing facilities costs (e.g. rent, utilities, maintenance, etc.).
• Existing information technology equipment and support (e.g., Management Information System).
• Existing shared equipment.
• Existing equipment maintenance, among others.Q24: How much does the Foundation allow in indirect costs / delivery fees?
A: The Foundation endeavours to apply a consistent and reasonable approach in its funding by providing implementing partner organizations with sufficient support for project indirect costs. Given its status as a registered charity in Canada and an independent foundation, it may not be able to match the indirect cost rates paid by other funders or may be unable to provide a Project Delivery Fee in all cases.
Indirect project costs are covered through a Project Delivery Fee, which is capped at 10% of all direct project costs, excluding large capital asset purchases. The Foundation may adjust this rate based on project-specific circumstances. The rate should not exceed an organization’s actual indirect cost rate.
The implementing partner will be responsible for allocating the Project Delivery Fee accordingly to cover its indirect costs and the indirect costs of any other implementing partners, as applicable.
Q25: Do the indirect costs apply to all budget expenses?
A: The Foundation will cover indirect project costs through a Project Delivery Fee, which is capped at 10% of all direct project expenses, excluding large capital asset purchases. A “large” capital asset is defined as any capital item costing more than USD 1,000 per unit.
Q26: Where do I include the budget justification/narrative?
A: The budget template provided to prospective partners includes a dedicated tab where you can provide your budget justification and narrative. This section can be used to explain how the funds will be allocated and how they align with the project’s objectives.
Q27: Are there budget restrictions on salary or other forms of support?
A: While each program is unique, the Foundation generally allocates about 10% for salaries and other forms of support. This guideline ensures that funds are used efficiently while providing adequate compensation for those involved in the delivery of the program.
Q28: What is the Foundation’s policy regarding project cost-sharing?
A: When working with private sector partners, the Foundation encourages cost sharing to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of programs through appropriate contributions by partners to the overall program costs. The partner’s contribution can be in cash, inkind, or a combination of the two. To account for wide variations in need and the contexts in which such private sector partnerships will be forged, specific contribution percentages made by the private sector partner will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Regarding projects that have a built-in revenue model, the Foundation will support partners through a sliding and diminishing scale, as the partners start to derive revenue from projects and as they attain greater sustainability.
Q29: What are the financial requirements for new organizations that do not have a financial track record?
A: The Foundation works with organizations of all sizes and structures, tailoring its approach based on the scope of the proposed program. For new organizations without a financial track record, appropriate controls to ensure financial transparency and accountability will be implemented. This might include more frequent financial reporting, additional oversight, or partner capacity accompaniment.
Q30: How does the Foundation evaluate program budget details?
A: The Foundation uses a comprehensive database of budget benchmarks accumulated from years of programming experience. All program budgets are reviewed carefully to understand the context of the implementation location and scope. These budgets are then compared with benchmark points to ensure reasonable validation.
Q31: Does the Foundation cover the expenses incurred during the development of a partnership?
A: The typically does not provide funding or cover expenses incurred during the program development phase. There might be exceptional circumstances where the Foundation may, at its discretion, consider covering a portion of the expenses incurred during the development of a program. This decision to cover these costs will be aligned before the costs are incurred.
Q32: Does the Foundation offer support for enhancing implementing partner capacity?
A: Yes, the Foundation’s implementation budget allows partners to account for their capacity development needs. The capacity accompaniment needs of a partner are jointly evaluated and agreed upon and these needs are mainstreamed into the program design.
The support may cover hiring staff, training for staff, and capacity accompaniment for capabilities in financial and technical systems, regulatory compliance, risk management, security, safeguarding, and so on.
Q33: Does the Foundation provide funding for sponsorship?
A: No, the Mastercard Foundation does not endorse nor sponsor events.
Q34: Does the Foundation provide funding for scholarships?
A: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, social, and academic support to Scholars through its partner institutions, primarily universities.
The Foundation does not award scholarships directly to individuals. Please visit the Mastercard Foundation’s Scholars Program section for more information about the partner institutions, and visit their websites for additional details regarding their respective scholarship application processes.
Q35: How does the Foundation differentiate between public and private benefit?
A: The Foundation will always ensure its program investments will prioritize vulnerable and marginalized individuals and communities to maximize public benefits over private gains by supporting excluded segments of the population. Program interventions and funding activities must primarily target young individuals with limited financial means.
Program Reviews and Evaluations
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Q36. What is the Foundation’s approach to program reviews and evaluations?
A: The primary purpose of reviews and evaluations at the Foundation is to facilitate learning. These reviews aim to strengthen program design and implementation, evaluate programs for scaling, and contribute to thought leadership, among other purposes.
To ensure quality program implementation and adaptive management, the Foundation allocates budget for reviews and evaluations within its program budget. These reviews and evaluations are conducted collaboratively by the implementing partner, the Foundation, and a third-party consultant.
Q37: How does the Foundation approach programs that fail to meet the set objectives?
A: The Foundation is open to testing creative ideas that may not succeed. It encourages open conversation as trusted partners to understand the reason for the failure so the lessons learned can be adapted to future programs.
Q38: Is a review or an evaluation required for a program scale-up or renewal?
A: Yes, all programs at the Foundation undergo reviews and evaluations to capture and build on lessons learned. While a review or evaluation is essential for program scale-up, renewal, or extension, it is just one critical factor among many. A review or an evaluation of a program does not guarantee further commitment.
Q39: What are the reporting requirements for partners that are funded by the Foundation?
A: Reporting requirements are pre-defined during the contracting stage before the implementation phase begins. The frequency of reporting could be quarterly, semi-annual, or annual, depending on the complexity of the program. Narrative reports should detail the progress of the program, including achievements, challenges, and any adjustments that need to be made to the original workplan. Financial reports must outline how the funds are being used, ensuring transparency and accountability. This reporting helps us ensure all activities and expenditures are thoroughly documented and assessed.
Q40: Does the Foundation allow adaptive management in program implementation?
A: Yes, the Foundation supports adaptive management in program implementation. It understands that flexibility is crucial for responding to changing contexts and unforeseen challenges. Partners are encouraged to propose adjustments to their programs, as needed, to ensure they can deliver on impact. Any proposed changes should be communicated and discussed with the Foundation point person to ensure alignment with overall objectives, strategic priorities, and legal requirements.
Q41: How should partners report challenges with program implementation?
A: The Foundation encourages open communication with partners to address operational challenges that may affect program outcomes. Each partner is assigned a Program Point of Contact from the Foundation to support them throughout the program lifecycle. The Foundation engages with partners to discuss lessons learned and necessary changes that may be required to strengthen the program implementation for desired outcomes. If partners require additional visibility or support from senior leadership, they are encouraged to reach out to Country/Program Directors or the Executive Directors. Should partners still be dissatisfied with the support received, the Chief Program Officer and CEO are always available to hear from them and provide further support.
Legal and Compliance
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Q42: What will the Foundation not fund?
A: The Foundation is subject to various legal and regulatory requirements that prescribe limits on what it can fund. All Foundation-funded programs and activities must align with the Foundation’s charitable purposes of promoting youth education and alleviating poverty through financial inclusion. The Foundation does not fund, among other things, government budgets.
Q43: Can the Foundation work with For-Profit Organizations?
A: Yes, to achieve meaningful and sustainable impact at scale while achieving its goals, the Foundation partners to deliver its programs. The Foundation collaborates with for-profit organizations as they are crucial stakeholders in creating access to work opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship, which the Foundation is focused on as a means of enabling the relief of poverty for financially excluded young people. Though these collaborations are both necessary and permissible, when engaging with third-party intermediaries, the Foundation is legally required to conduct additional analyses, which are supported by concrete evidence, to demonstrate that Foundation’s funds are being exclusively used to achieve charitable impact for (i.e., benefitting) its target populations (i.e., youth receiving education or financially excluded individuals and communities).
Q44: What is the Foundation’s approach to Intellectual Property (IP)?
A: The Foundation is required to ensure that its resources are used exclusively to further its charitable purposes. This includes IP that is created with Foundation funds, and the Foundation’s general approach to the ownership of IP reflects this obligation. When a Foundation program involves program participants (i.e., young and/or financially excluded persons) creating their own IP (e.g., articles, news reports, editorials, thought pieces, photographs, videos, documentaries, short films, etc.), program participants are
permitted to retain ownership and control over such IP.However, when program participants are not themselves the IP creators, then it is the Foundation who retains ownership of the IP created with its resources. In such cases, the Foundation as the IP owner provides a license to partner organizations, allowing those organizations to use the IP exclusively to further the Foundation’s charitable purposes.
Q45: Does the Foundation have a safeguarding policy?
A: Yes, the Foundation has a safeguarding policy and expects the same from our partners.
During the program development and implementation phases, the Foundation will provide guidelines on policies to protect children and youth. These guidelines need to be adhered to by all organizations that work with the Foundation. The Child and Youth Safeguarding Guidelines are integrated into all the Foundation’s program contracts. The Guidelines illustrate the Foundation’s commitment to support and respect child and youth rights and their protection against any form of violence and abuse. It articulates the Foundation’s zero-tolerance approach to the abuse and exploitation of children and youth and the Foundation’s commitment to provide a safe environment for all children and youth who are involved in any of the Foundation’s programs.
Q46. Does the Foundation have a whistleblowing policy? How can I report any suspected violations?
A: Yes, the Foundation has a Whistleblowing Policy. This allows for the confidential disclosure of information related to suspected violations of the Foundation’s Code of Conduct, other Foundation policies or obligations, or other dangers at work. Examples of such violations include criminal activity, non-compliance with legal or regulatory obligations, risks to safeguarding and safety, improper conduct, sexual violence, bribery, terrorism, money laundering, conflicts of interest, and financial fraud. All relevant stakeholders, including the Foundation’s partners, have the responsibility to report illegal or improper activity anonymously through: mastercardfdn.ethicspoint.com
All matters shall be treated as confidential, whether received anonymously or otherwise.
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