NEW YORK, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) today announced a $1 million pledge from the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth - support which is launching the Global Girls Entrepreneurship Project and sustain ongoing education programs in U.S. and internationally.

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MasterCard and the MasterCard Center have been supporters of entrepreneurship education programs at NFTE since 2001. The recent, $1 million investment for the 2014/2015 school year:


    --  Launches Global Girls Entrepreneurship Project, in Miami/South Florida,
        New York City, St. Louis, Washington, DC and the Westchester,
        NY/Fairfield County, CT region.
    --  Supports international entrepreneurship education programs in Mexico,
        China, Belgium as well as Partnership in Opportunities for Employment
        through Technology in the Americas (POETA) centers in Brazil, Colombia
        and Mexico.
    --  Sustains title sponsorship of NFTE's annual signature events: The
        National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, The NFTE Global Showcase and
        Day of Learning for the 2014/15 school year.
    --  Creates and promotes a video series - My Moment - highlighting how young
        people around the world are using entrepreneurship as their path to
        financial inclusion.
    --  Provides ongoing support for NFTE education programs.

"Everyone affiliated with MasterCard is proud to support the life-changing impact of entrepreneurship that NFTE delivers to young people worldwide," said Monica Chaves, Director of Global Philanthropy for MasterCard and the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth. "When young people learn about and experience the power of entrepreneurial thinking, it changes their outlook and opens real doors to financial inclusion and prosperity - especially for those who have been traditionally overlooked or left behind."

The Global Girls Entrepreneurship Project is a new NFTE initiative which offers dedicated programming, specifically designed for young women in high school. Through the program, girls will have access to strong female role models and collaborate with women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders in experiential learning that spurs innovation, develops the entrepreneurial mindset, teaches business and leadership skills, exposes them to technology and STEM careers, and explores the unique aspects of being a woman business owner/leader. The project is co-sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation.

One of the signature NFTE events which MasterCard will continue supporting is the NFTE Global Showcase, presented by MasterCard. The 2015 Showcase is March 25, 2015 and will bring some of the world's best student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship teachers to New York City to share and be recognized for their achievements.

In keeping the commitment to provide young entrepreneurs with strong female role models, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, will be an honored guest at the 2015 Showcase. Students at the 2015 Showcase will also hear from Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing Officer of MasterCard Worldwide and watch "My Moment" videos - which relate inspiring entrepreneurship stores of young people from around the world.

Built around the Global Showcase is the Day of Learning which is an opportunity for students to interact with and learn from high-level business experts. For the 2015 MasterCard Day of Learning, NFTE students will hear from international branding experts from Google, Twitter and MasterCard.

"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."

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 Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

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.

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

An example of a "My Moment" video is here: http://mastercardcenter.org/impact/nina-maniphak-moment/

Derek.Newton@NFTE.com 917-281-4316

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SOURCE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship