Ashoka is the global association of the world's leading social entrepreneurs.

Men and women with system changing solutions for the world's most urgent social problems. Since 1981, Ashoka has elected over 1,800 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 60 countries.

Ashoka Fellows inspire others to adopt and spread their innovations.demonstrating to all citizens that they too have the potential to be powerful changemakers and make a positive difference in their communities.

By unleashing the same innovative and entrepreneurial mindset which has driven business sector growth over the last two centuries, Ashoka is leading a dramatic transformation in society, fueling the citizen sector.s unprecedented growth. With our global community of social entrepreneurs, Ashoka develops models for collaboration and designs infrastructure needed for this growth.

A recent article I received by post (from the Time magazine of Sept. 10th 2007):

Ashoka

FOUNDER | Bill Drayton

WHEN | 1980 in Washington, D.C.

BRIGHT IDEA | Developed the concept of "social entrepreneurship" or investing in social change like a business and demandig measurable results. The program supports ambitious advocates not just with funding but also with a network of fellow do-gooders to call on for help as the entrepreneurs transform their initial work into large-scale movements.

IMPACT | Ashoka has funded almost 2,000 fellows in 70 countries over past 26 yeras. The organization offers living stipends to people with proven, early-stage ventures they wish to expand. Muhammad Yunus, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his microfinance work, is just one of the established activists who serve as part of the Ashoka network offering guidance to others. Ashoka initially emphasized Third World projects, but in 2000 expanded to the U.S.