Ashoka's Venture Fund for Leading Social Entrepreneurs

societal changes. For example, Ashoka Fellow Arvind Kerjiwal, after institutionalizing the Right to
Information Act in India, worked with Ashoka staff and Fellows in Nepal to ensure that the right to
information was incorporated into that country’s new constitution and built a citizen-led movement
for the right to information in Nepal.
How will the Venture Fund make a difference for Ashoka? While the Venture Fund is an ongoing
source of support for the Venture program, it is not an endowment—it serves a current and
continually evolving need for investment in Fellow stipends. As such, a new Venture Fund for Leading
Social Entrepreneurs will be raised and disbursed annually. Each year’s goal will reflect anticipated
elections of Ashoka Fellows and projected gaps in resources. Our Fellow election target in 2008
is 235: a roughly 40% increase from 2007. The 2008 Venture Fund has a goal of $10 million,
allowing us to meet or hopefully surpass this target. Led by investments at the $100,000 level, $10
million would enable approximately 150 Fellow elections, as stipend levels vary by country and by
individual. Increasing the number of Fellows in our community raises the caliber of our network,
thereby increasing its value to all Fellows.
How did the Venture Fund start? The Venture Fund was launched in May 2006 with an initial gift of
$100,000 from the Oswald Family Foundation in honor of Charles W. Oswald, former CEO of National
Computer Systems of Minneapolis and current chairman of Rotherwood Investments. An advisor
and supporting partner to countless entrepreneurs over his career, Charley understands the critical
role that investing in people plays in bringing forth new ideas and integrating change. Reflecting
Charley’s powerful combination of heart, brilliance, and gratitude for all his opportunities to succeed
in the American business world, the Oswald family is passing on the gift of financial support and
opportunity to the world’s leading social entrepreneurs with Ashoka. The Oswalds have supported
Ashoka, and Fellow stipends, for a number of years; this gift represents an increase in geographic
scope and commitment from the family.
Of the Venture Fund investment, Charley writes, “Through Ashoka’s Venture Fund my family and I
share in supporting the most creative people in every field and on every continent. The opportunity
to connect our resources with such transformative global change is invaluable for everyone involved.
Clearly, it’s one of the most satisfying and effective investments we’ve made.”
We invite investor partners to join us now to build a better world by discovering the most promising
social change ideas and the entreprneurs behind them.