The Mastercard Foundation
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE YOUTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL INCLUSION FOR FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED PERSONS AND COMMUNITIES AS A MEANS OF RELIEVING POVERTY.
- Income
- $6.5 billion
- Spending
- $1.6 billion
- Employees
- 1
- Highest pay
- $1.3 million, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (6)
- $42.4 million spent. Mastercard Foundation's partnership with BRAC will support improving the lives of over 1.2 million adolescent girls and young women across seven African countries. This will be achieved by scaling BRAC's proven models of amplifying the agency of girls and young women through life skills training, increasing the productive participation of the poorest and most vulnerable young women through financial literacy, and accelerating access to finance for young women.
- $35.9 million spent. Mastercard Foundation's partnership with Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) will support improving the quality of teaching and learning in Ghanaian secondary education institutions. This will enable 2.9 million secondary education graudates to obtain the 21st century skills and competencies needed for lifelong learning, employability, and adult life.
- $35.7 million spent. Mastercard Foundation's partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami will support the launch and long-term sustainability of Inuit Nunangat University (INU). INU will be the first Inuit institution grounded in Inuit language and culture and it will deliver innovative education and training relevant to youth and Inuit economic and community priorities.
- $405.7 million spent. OTHER FINANCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAMS
- $890.6 million spent. OTHER YOUTH LEARNING PROGRAMS
- $113.6 million spent. Other Program services Expenses incl. direct imple
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.