Progress informed by the past and inspired by the future
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation.
Our investments focus on:
Approximately 71 million youth globally are actively seeking meaningful employment. To effectively compete for economic opportunities and succeed in the 21st century economy, these young people will require a mix of education, employability, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills. The Citi Foundation is focused on programs that help young people to link education goals with leadership skills training, professional networks, and onramps to employment to increase the number of low-income youth, ages 16-25, who are able to get a job or start an income-generating business.
As part of Pathways to Progress, the Citi Foundation released Global Youth Survey 2017: Economic Prospects & Expectations a survey commissioned by the Citi Foundation and conducted by Ipsos to understand the economic expectations and aspirations of young people. The survey was based on a sample of over 7,000 young people in 45 cities across 32 countries around the globe.
Increases in the number of low-income youth who complete postsecondary (college-level) education, gain skills to enhance employability, become employed or start their own income-generating business.
The Citi Foundation supports initiatives aimed at building vibrant, sustainable cities that offer economic opportunities for low-income residents.We support partnerships among local governments, community-based organizations, the private sector, and research institutions that are tackling the challenges faced by cities to improve municipal effectiveness and infrastructure, create affordable housing, promote environmental sustainability, and offer more economic opportunities and better services to low-income residents. We encourage the use of data and technology to understand challenges and gaps, identify opportunities for improvements in cities, and direct the use of limited resources to maximize impact.
Increases in urban-focused initiatives that contribute to the economic progress and/or environmental sustainability of low-income individuals and communities.
The Citi Foundation supports efforts to develop a more inclusive financial system that provides greater access to financial products, services and capital to low-income communities and individuals. Access to capital and financial products empowers adults and young people to build financial assets, enables entrepreneurs to grow or launch businesses that create jobs, and helps community-based organizations to strengthen and transform communities. Unique about our efforts is recognition that access to capital and products alone is not enough. Financial capability, the ability to establish financial plans and develop strategies for preserving a strong financial position during times of both economic prosperity and instability, is critical to the economic success of individuals and communities.
Increases in financial products and capital to support financial inclusion and the growth of businesses that provide new income generation and/or employment opportunities for low-income individuals
Increases in the number of low-income adults or youth who adopt positive financial behaviors and accumulate and preserve financial assets.