Ashoka:Innovators for the Public

Founded by Bill Drayton in 1980, Ashoka strives 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 change-makers. The organization envisions a world where Everyone is a change-maker: a world that responds quickly and effectively to social challenges; and where each individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem and drive change.

Their Approach:

To ensure that leading ideas for social changes are fully developed and sustained, Ashoka has designed an approach that offers critical inventions  on three levels- the individual, the groups and the sector.

• Supporting Social Entrepreneurs: Social entrepreneurs are the engines of social change and role models for the citizen sector. Ashoka identifies and invests in leading social entrepreneurs and helps them achieve maximum social impact.
• Promoting Group Entrepreneurship: Groups and networks of social entrepreneurs working together accelerate and spread social impact. Ashoka engages communities of entrepreneurs and develops patterns of effective collaborations that change entire fields.
• Building Infrastructures for the Sector: A global network of change-makers requires tools and support systems to deliver sustainable social solutions. Ashoka creates needed infrastructure, such as access to social financing, bridges to business and academic sectors, and frameworks for partnerships that deliver social and financial value.

Their Philosophy:  

Ashoka is founded on the premise that the most effective way to promote positive social change is to invest in social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions that are sustainable and replicable, both nationally and globally.

The organization has established programs in over 60 countries and supports the work of over 2000 fellows. Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs who Ashoka recognizes to have innovative solutions to social problems and the potential to change patterns across society. They demonstrate unrivaled commitment to bold new ideas and prove that compassion, creavity, and collaboration are tremendous forces for change. 

Ashoka employ 160 staff in 25 regional offices throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The organization is extremely transparent, providing their financial statements for review on their website. To learn more please visit Ashoka's website.

iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service

iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service's (iLEAP) mission is to cultivate and inspire a new generation of global citizens who are motivated by a commitment to service and have the practical skills, rigorous critical thinking, and global community of support to create positive social and systematic change in the world. They seek to inspire a worldwide community of interlinked global citizens and innovative organizations who are connected through their commitment and courage to take risks and engage life with a humble passion and abiding sense of humor as they work with, and serve others.

The organization designs and delivers a variety of experiential based educational programs that serve as the catalyst for this new generation, and work to nurture meaningful collaborations between people, organizations, and community. These programs are developed with closer partnerships with colleges and universities, civil society groups, and for-profit businesses.  All the programs emphasize social enterprise, collaboration, conversation, and rigorous engagement with ideas and theory. They range from one day to nine months.

The programs are listed below:

• International Fellowship Program- brings leaders from civil society organizations working for positive social change in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, to Seattle, Washington for a three month intensive program in professional skill building, academic study, and global networking. The program is focused on the central themes of: social enterprise, reflective practice, collaborative leadership, and social and environmental sustainability.
• Taking the Leap- is a global three phased program that balances personal growth, critical thinking, and academic theory with pragmatic training in project design, development, and implementation. The first phase is spent in Seattle working with iLEAP staff and faculty in seminar coursework and working in social enterprise. The second phase sends each student overseas to live and work in a different rural community in Asia, Africa, or Latin America to work with international iLEAP faculty. In the third phase students return to Seattle for a time of reflection, sharing and preparations for the future.
• Social Innovation in Seattle- a unique internship for university students from Asia and Europe, based in Seattle. Through direct internships in American organizations and businesses, this program introduces students to the fundamentals of social enterprise and social innovation in business practice.

For more information on iLEAP, please visit their website.

Social Velocity

Today's organization helps nonprofits use the tools of social innovation to advance their missions.

Social Velocity identified a need in the Southwest region of the United States for social innovation. Along the American coasts social innovation is happening, but less so in the middle of the country, specifically the Southwest. They are focused on the need for new ideas to help combat the social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges facing the region.

The company identifies social innovation as system-changing ideas that solve existing public challenges. These new ideas include:

• social entrepreneurship
• social enterprise
• venture philanthropy
• strategic fundraising
• growth and capital
• social investing

Social Velocity inspires this innovation by exposing the region to new ideas, connecting to the national movement, and employing systems and strategies for the region. The company works with nonprofits, their staff, board, and donors to accelerate the pace of social innovation. 

Their services fall into 3 categories:

1. Grow Program- help nonprofit organizations determine whether a program is ready to increase its scale, how to grow it strategically, where to find growth capital, and how to implement a successful plan.
2. Find Greater Resources- help nonprofit organizations introduce new revenue streams, communicate more effectively with potential donors, find good fundraisers, and leverage their board more effectively.
3. Connect to the National Movement- build connections between innovators nationally and innovators in the Southwest, Social Velocity helps to bring attention, resources and momentum to their region.

For more information about Social Velocity, please visit their website. This company is another great resource for nonprofit organizations.