Episode 118: An Interview with Irene Pritzker, Co-Founder and Chair of the IDP Foundation

In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer speaks with Irene Pritzker, chair and co-founder of the IDP Foundation, about her groundbreaking work expanding access to education in developing countries through innovative financing models. Irene shares how a trip to Ghana transformed her philanthropic focus from medical research to education after discovering that low-fee private schools serving some of the poorest families had no access to credit or financial support. What began as a single partnership with a microfinance institution has since grown into a sustainable model reaching hundreds of thousands of students across Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

You'll hear about:

• How a visit to a market school in Ghana inspired Irene's education financing model

• Why do low-fee private schools in developing countries often lack access to capital

• The role financial institutions can play in improving education outcomes

• How the IDP Foundation created a sustainable and scalable lending model for schools

• Why catalytic philanthropy and strategic partnerships are essential for long-term impact

• The importance of working closely with governments and local communities

• How innovative financing and program-related investments can unlock opportunity across Africa

 

Irene's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-pritzker-65bb0195/ Irene's Book The School in the Market: https://www.idpfplus.org/the-school-in-the-market/ IDP Foundation Website: https://www.idpfoundation.org/ IDP Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idpfoundation/ IDP Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDPFoundation IDP Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idp-foundation-inc-/

 

Connect with Lori Kranczer!

Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com

Email: [email protected]