Nominated by Pamela Hawley
Ashoka is a non-profit organization supporting social entrepreneurs to help them achieve the maximum impact in their work. Ashoka believes in the ability of individuals to make a difference, in the high impact of non-violent and ethical actions, and the power of the entrepreneur to change society. Bill Drayton founded Ashoka in 1980, inspired by the social and economic gap he observed while traveling through Asia. Working in 60 countries across the globe, Ashoka finds and invests in social entrepreneurs, engages communities and helps entrepreneurs to network with each other, and provides needed infrastructure for the network. Ashoka has identified entrepreneurs as a leading and growing force for social change, and is helping that force to effect change.
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Thanks Worldchanging for the attention grant, we really appreciate it!
I just wanted to make a note to flesh out the reference to the work Ashoka does beyond supporting social entrepreneurs with Fellowships - the thing that is most associated with us.
We are working to create an Everyone a Changemaker world by supporting leading changemakers, facilitating group entrepreneurship and creating infrastructure for changemaking.
As examples we have just re-launched Changemakers (www.changemakers.com) as a social network for changemakers, and it will continue to open-source social change innovations through their community competitions.
Ashoka's Youth Venture (www.genv.net) support youth social entrepreneurs with funding, skills development and community.
Our Environmental Innovations Initiative (http://www.ashoka.org/eii) has launched several programs including Community Greens, which helps communities create shared green space.
To find out more check out www.ashoka.org or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ashokatweets.
Keep up the great work WorldChanging!
Tom
Ashoka social media guy :)
Posted by: Tomjd on 9 Jul 09
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