Mastercard Changeworks™ launches to accelerate work of Canadian not-for-profit organizations

New initiative will leverage the company’s technology and data-science expertise to help not-for-profit organizations better support the communities they serve 

Today, Mastercard launched Changeworks™, a social-impact program that helps Canada’s not-for-profits harness the power of technology and data to create positive change. To put this commitment into action, Mastercard has made its first anchor grant to national not-for-profit, CanadaHelps, to launch a digital transformation program for charities across Canada. 

Canada is home to outstanding not-for-profits delivering critical social programs and services, but many of these organizations have not been able to adequately invest in technology infrastructure and digital skills. While a majority believe digital adoption is important and the resource crunch they face could be more effectively managed through digital technology, 55 per cent of charities polled say they do not have the funding, or the skills, expertise and knowledge for digital adoption1.   

This has created significant obstacles for delivering programs and services efficiently, scaling impact and reach, and bringing in donations critical to support their work. The pandemic has made this situation even more challenging as not-for-profit organizations struggled to survive and to pivot to online models while facing decreasing revenue and increasing demand for services. 

“Canadian not-for-profit organizations are vital contributors to our country’s economic health and social fabric, but many lack the necessary technology infrastructure and digital skills to deliver on their mandates and increase their impact,” said Sasha Krstic, president of Mastercard in Canada. “We aim to provide support, resources and expertise to help empower them do what they do best.  It’s about creating a ripple effect that will make Canadian society stronger, more inclusive, and more equitable for everyone.”