# The Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Toronto, Canada.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Toronto, Canada
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 250 Yonge Street, Suite 2400, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2L7, Canada
- **Founded:** 2006
- **Assets under management:** 47000 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** mastercardfdn.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://ca.linkedin.com/company/the-mastercard-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Mastercard Foundation is an international non-governmental organization. Mastercard established it in 2006. It ranks among the wealthiest charitable foundations globally and advances education and financial inclusion for young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada.

## Sectors

- Education and Transitions
- Digital Agriculture
- Health
- Refugees and Displaced Persons
- Disability Inclusion
- Pan-African Programs

## Offices

- Kigali, Rwanda
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Accra, Ghana
- Lagos, Nigeria

## People

- Sewit Ahderom — President and CEO
- Zein Abdalla — Board Chair
- John Barker — Chief Investment Officer, MFAM

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at The Mastercard Foundation?

John Barker serves as Chief Investment Officer of Mastercard Foundation Asset Management. MFAM executes portfolio allocation and reports to the foundation board chaired by Zein Abdalla.

### How does The Mastercard Foundation source proprietary deal flow?

The foundation commits through its Africa Growth Fund and works with local managers such as MEDA. It targets gender-diverse vehicles and SME-focused funds in Sub-Saharan Africa.

### Does The Mastercard Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation makes fund commitments via the Africa Growth Fund and the Fund for Resilience and Prosperity. It also holds direct ownership in selected operating companies including Zoona and Lingawa.

### What investment stages does The Mastercard Foundation typically target?

Early-stage venture and private equity vehicles receive commitments through the Africa Growth Fund. The portfolio also maintains significant public market and fixed income exposure for liquidity.

### What is The Mastercard Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation anchors gender-lens and SME funds in Africa and participates as a limited partner in vehicles managed by third parties such as MEDA.

## Related profiles

- [South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission](https://altss.com/profile/south-carolina-retirement-system-investment-commission)
- [GoldenTree Asset Management Retirement Plan](https://altss.com/profile/goldentree-asset-management-retirement-plan)

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Last updated: 2026-07-08T20:48:40.053Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/the-mastercard-foundation

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