MasterCard Renews Commitment to Financial Inclusion, Educational Efforts of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

NEW YORK, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterCard and The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) today announced the launch of the Global Girls Entrepreneurship Project.

In this new initiative, high school-age young women take part in activities and experiences that exposes them to technology and STEM careers. It also explores the unique aspects of being a woman business owner/leader. 

Through the program, co-sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, girls will have access to strong female role models, providing them opportunities to collaborate with women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. The project joins ongoing education programs supported under the annual grant from MasterCard.

"Over the past several years, we've seen the life-changing impact NFTE programs can have on young people worldwide," said Monica Chaves, director of global philanthropy for MasterCard. "When they experience the power of entrepreneurial thinking, it has the potential to open the door to greater financial inclusion and prosperity."

Since 2011, MasterCard has been a global NFTE sponsor. In the current school year alone, the company has:

• Supported international entrepreneurship education programs in Mexico, China, Belgium, as well as Partnership in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas centers in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
• Served as title sponsor of NFTE's annual signature events: The National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, The NFTE Global Showcase and Day of Learning.
• Created the My Moment video series highlighting how young people around the world are using entrepreneurship as their path to financial inclusion.

Today's announcement was made on the eve of the NFTE Global Showcase, an annual event that brings some of the world's best student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship teachers to New York City to share and be recognized for their achievements.

"We simply could not do what we do without the generosity and vision of our friends at MasterCard," said Shawn Osborne, President and CEO of NFTE. "Their ongoing support for expanding inclusion through entrepreneurship is inspiring and broad – not just financial. MasterCard employees volunteer in our classrooms and mentor our students, it's an amazing and fully engaging commitment." 

About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry.  We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.  MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.  Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About The MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth
The MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth was created to foster collaborative relationships between academia, governments, nonprofits, the social design community, and the private sector.  Through the advancement of research and strategic philanthropic investments, the Center supports and enables those historically excluded from financial services and serves as a catalyst for change.

About the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Since 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has taught and inspired more than 500,000 young people to pursue educational opportunities, start their own businesses, and succeed in life. By providing entrepreneurship education programs relevant to the real world, NFTE empowers students to own their education and future success. NFTE has programs run through 17 U.S. program offices and in 9 countries. To learn more visit www.nfte.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NFTE and follow us on Twitter at @NFTE

[e-mail] 917-281-4316

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SOURCE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

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