Abstract

William Drayton founded Ashoka in 1980 to use a venture capital model to support social entrepreneurs, namely, practical visionaries who are committed to social change. The primary objective of Ashoka is to identify social entrepreneurs around the globe, who then receive Ashoka Fellowships that provide both financial and professional support. To be chosen, each prospective fellow goes through a rigorous search and selection process. Fellows receive a living stipend (typically for three years) and they join the Global Fellowship—a worldwide network of social entrepreneurs. Since 1982 over 1,100 Ashoka Fellows have been selected in 41 countries. Ashoka Fellows work in six areas: learning/education, environment, health, human rights, civic participation, and economic development.