William
"Bill" Drayton started the nonprofit organization, Ashoka: Innovators
for the Public in 1981 to help support and celebrate social entrepreneurs -- individuals
who create new and innovative ways to solve social problems. He is considered
as the 'godfather of social entrepreneurship' -- a movement that has grown dramatically
over the past 25 years. To date, Ashoka has supported more than 1800 social entrepreneurs
in over 60 countries. Following Ashoka's trailblazing example, a growing number
of foundations have been created by other philanthropists to support social entrepreneurs.
Bill Drayton is also involved in many other organizations working for social change,
including chairing Community Greens, Get America Working! and YouthVenture. He
has received numerous awards in recognition of the important contribution he has
made in helping to empower and inspire social change through social entrepreneurship
around the world, including the American Society of Public Administration's National
Public Service Award; Common Cause's Public Service Achievement Award, and in
2005, US News & World Report named him as one of America's 25 Best
Leaders.
Ashoka
Fellows
