Ashoka: Innovators for the Public
 | |
| Motto | Everyone a Changemaker |
|---|---|
| Formation | June 3, 1980[1][2] |
| Founder | Bill Drayton[3] |
| 51-0255908[4] | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Headquarters | Rosslyn, Virginia, United States[4] |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 38°53′44″N 77°04′19″W / 38.8956482°N 77.0718925°WCoordinates: 38°53′44″N 77°04′19″W / 38.8956482°N 77.0718925°W |
| Bill Drayton[4] | |
| Diana Wells[4] | |
| Romanus Berg[4] | |
| Mary Andrage[4] | |
| Affiliations |
Youth Venture, Inc., Get America Working Inc.[4] |
Revenue (2014) | $52,750,423[4] |
| Expenses (2014) | $40,455,085[4] |
| Endowment | $25,039,491[4] |
Employees (2013) | 200[4] |
Volunteers (2013) | 5,000[4] |
| Mission | To shape a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector: one that allows social entrepreneurs to thrive and enables the world's citizens to think and act as changemakers.[4] |
| Website |
www |
Ashoka (branded Ashoka: Innovators of the Public) is an international organization with the mission "to shape a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector: one that allows social entrepreneurs to thrive and enables the world's citizens to think and act as changemakers".[4]
History
Growing up, Bill Drayton was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and the African-American Civil Rights Movement.[5] Drayton wanted to improve income inequality around the world by using great new ideas conceived and implemented by social entrepreneurs.[5] Drayton founded Ashoka in 1981.[6]
The organization was named after Emperor Ashoka, the ruler of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BC[7] Emperor Ashoka recognized the suffering that he had caused by unifying his empire, and he promoted religious and philosophical tolerance and the paramount importance of morality when working for the public.[8]
Fellows
Ashoka identifies leading social entrepreneurs with novel, innovative solutions to social problems who are able to make large-scale changes to society. Ashoka searches for individuals who have vision, creativity, and determination and are motivated by public gain rather than personal gain.[9]
Social entrepreneurs who pass the selection process are called Ashoka fellows.[6] Each Ashoka fellow receives a financial stipend that the fellow can use to pay for their personal expenses so the fellow can fully devote the fellow's time in pursuit of the fellow's innovative social ideas.[10]
Ashoka fellows are connected with successful entrepreneurs in order to help the fellows succeed in implementing their social ideas.[11] Ultimately, the Ashoka fellow is expected to convert an innovative solution into a self-sustaining institution.[12]
Ashoka funds the stipends by raising funds from donors, which it uses as venture capital.[13]
Of Ashoka fellows with ventures that are more than five years old, Ashoka says that more than 80 percent have had their solution implemented by others; 59 percent have directly affected national policy; and each Ashoka fellow is helping an average of 174,000 people.[14]
Organizational policies
Ashoka says it does not accept funding from any government.[15] Ashoka says that its donors are Western charitable foundations and wealthy individuals.[15]
While Ashoka says it does not petition governments for social change, Ashoka will provide advice to organizations such as the World Bank when requested.[15]
Citizen-sector organization
While the United States Internal Revenue Service has approved Ashoka's headquarters as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and some countries consider Ashoka to be a non-governmental organization, Ashoka itself prefers the term citizen-sector organization in order to emphasize what it is, rather than what it is not.[16] According to Ashoka, citizen-sector organizations are groups of citizens who care and act to serve others and cause needed change.[17]
References
- ↑ "ASHOKA - Initial File Number: 802351". District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Government of the District of Columbia. Accessed on April 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Ashoka Financial Statements, August 31, 2014, and Independent Auditor's Report, April 30, 2015". Ashoka. April 30, 2015.
- 1 2 "Annual Report". Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Ashoka. Guidestar. August 31, 2014.
- 1 2 Barnes, Denise. "Ashoka's entrepreneurial vision fosters social change". The Washington Times. August 12, 2002. p. B08.
- 1 2 Veigle, Anne. "Va. group helps out creative talents". The Washington Times. April 20, 1992. p. B4.
- ↑ Karkabi, Barbara. "Tomorrow, the world: Interest in foreign affairs leads young Houstonian down an international career path". The Houston Chronicle. September 24, 1996. p. 1.
- ↑ Geracimos, Ann. "William Drayton". The Washington Times. March 23, 1994. p. C14.
- ↑ Meadows, Donella. "Entrepreneurs planning a better future". Charleston Gazette (Charleston, West Virginia). December 22, 1997. p. P4A.
- ↑ Springer, Richard. "Ashoka Fellows Include Street Beautification Project". India - West (San Leandro, California). January 17, 1992. p. 31.
- ↑ Saddler, Jeanne. "Entrepreneurs link Up with innovative Third World social activists.". The Wall Street Journal. December 11, 1990. p. B2.
- ↑ Harley, Richard M. "Entrepreneurs show India that philanthropy pays". The Christian Science Monitor. March 15, 1985. p. 23.
- ↑ Wertheimer, Linda; Adams, Noah; Arnold, Chris. "Ashoka Fellows". All Things Considered. National Public Radio. November 16, 1998.
- ↑ "Social Entrepreneurs: Who Are They?". Daytona Beach News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Florida). May 20, 2007. p. 1B.
- 1 2 3 Boris, Joseph. "Bridging Brazil's digital divide". UPI NewsTrack. February 22, 2001.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Chirantan. "I believe I can fly: David Bornstein". The Economic Times (Mumbai, India). May 21, 2004.
- ↑ "Why Citizen Sector?". Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. Accessed on April 12, 2016.