Ashoka's Endowments
Ashoka's endowments provide an enduring base of support for our work across the globe. Their growth also helps ensure Ashoka's long-term ability to serve a field that will be critically needed as long as society must adapt and change. Ashoka's endowments reached just over $20 million in 2006. Managed with a five-year perspective by three endowment trustees, the endowments have produced investment gains every year from 1982 to the present. Given by both institutions and individuals, Ashoka endowments often create a permanent statement about or memorial to someone the donor especially loves or respects.
If you would like to create your own endowment please contact us. If you would like to add to an existing endowment please write the name of the endowment to which you are contributing on your check.
The Amaterasu Endowment
For the support of women Fellows working outside the Americas in the areas of women's reproductive rights, women's empowerment, or sustainable community. Endowed by Katherine Victoria Randolph. Established in December 1999.
The Henry Beal Endowment
In memory of Henry Beal, a founding friend of Ashoka and before his death, one of its Endowment Trustees. He was one of America's most inspired and effective environmental managers and leaders. Focused on environment issues and Aids. Established in 1992.
The E. Noel Bergere Endowment
In memory of Noel Bergere, who, though crippled by polio at three, became Master of the High Court. He was also a leader of the disabled and a patron of education in Australia. Focused on supporting a Fellow who is handicapped and/or whose work relates either to education or the law. Established in 1984.
The Joan Bergere Endowment
Joan Bergere came to America as a young musician and later helped other young musicians get their key career opening first major New York City public concerts. She was a loving parent and also spiritually a citizen of the world with broad interests. Established in 1982.
The Benjamin Bloom Endowment
Ben Bloom was a successful lawyer and businessman who, as the son of immigrant parents, believed strongly in creating opportunities for others to succeed as he had succeeded. This endowment has been established to honor his principles to provide opportunities for those who are willing to work hard but need to be given a chance in life. Established in 1996. Unrestricted.
The Columbia Ashoka Fellowships I and II
The Columbia Foundation created two endowments to enable Ashoka to elect more women as Fellows. Established in 1986.
The C.M. Cresta Fund
Established in 1986. Unrestricted.
The Padma Rag Datta Endowment
Padma Rag Datta dedicated his life's work to using science to improve human welfare and preserve the environment. His father, Paiasumam Datta, founded a wildlife sanctuary in Assam and was a strong believer in social justice. The family wishes that their legacy be continued through this endowment so that Ashoka Fellows may find their own path to the simple and profound acts that make a difference. Established in 1996.
The Sarah Dunbar Endowment
Sarah Dunbar had an enduring concern for downtrodden people whose environment had been destroyed or reduced by modern times, especially by war and industry. Contributing to maintaining a people-friendly environment was another of her passions. Established in 2000.
Endowment Fund B
Established in 1999.The Michael Fein Honorary Endowment
This endowment is in memory of Michael Fein and his tremendous ability to touch so many lives. He was very passionate about the social enterprises that Ashoka fulfilled. Established in 2001.
The Maurice Fitzgerald Ashoka Fellowship
Maurice Fitzgerald taught in the Philippines after the Spanish American War. He loved his teaching and the people of the Philippines. For a teaching and education fellowship. Established in 1986.
The John and Eleanor Forrest Ashoka Fellowship
Established in 1986. Unrestricted.The Fort Hill Endowment Fund
Established in 1993. Unrestricted.
The Fox Peace Endowment
The Fox Peace Endowment is inspired by the Peace Testimony articulated by George Fox in 1651 and by the commitment of Tom Fox who was killed in Iraq in 2006 while serving as a witness for peace. Its purpose is to identify and launch social entrepreneurs and their projects dedicated to the development of structure, conditions, and communities that nurture peace.The Benjamin Franklin Ashoka Fellowship
Focused on education and matters related to science. Established in 1984.
The Buckminster Fuller Ashoka Fellowship
For Fellows working to alleviate hunger in South Asia.
The General Endowment Fund for Ashoka
The General Endowment for Ashoka was established in 1998 from numerous individual contributions earmarked for endowment purposes. Established in 1983.Unrestricted.
The Sanjoy Ghose Endowment
This endowment is a tribute to the work and sacrifice that Ashoka Fellow Sanjoy Ghose made in building a culture of volunteerism and a sense of citizen responsibility among the youth in India's northeastern state of Assam. It is a legacy of the work he began to reorient the area's youth away from violence and anarchy towards constructive and active social involvement in the face of ethnic strife, insurgent movements, and state repression. Sanjoy was abducted on July 4, 1997. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) claimed responsibility for this event. Unrestricted. Established in 1998.
The James P. Grant Ashoka Endowment
Named for the late Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and created by his friends, colleagues, and family to "continue his life's work and world vision." The endowment's purposes include supporting innovative leadership that contributes to social development among children and the disadvantaged, developing new methods and low-cost technologies to further social development, and encouraging dialogue leading to policies that improve the lives of children and all humankind. Established in 1998.The Albert O. Hirschman Fellowship
Given to honor Professor Hirschman's long leadership in the field of practical, grassroots development. Established in 1986. Unrestricted.The Jimmy Hopkins Fellowship
Jimmy Hopkins was a Judge of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division. He was known as a very kind man who was a master of the law. Many of his decisions and interpretations are the basis of important legal precedent. For a Fellow in the legal or judicial arena. Established in 1997.
The Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund Ashoka Fellowship
For support of Fellows working in Mexico. Established in 1989.
The W. Arthur Lewis Ashoka Fellowship
Given to honor Professor Lewis's remarkably broad contributions to our understanding of development and of key areas of the world.Established in 1986. Unrestricted.The Mack Lipkin Sr. Memorial Endowment
In memory of Dr. Mack Lipkin, a much loved friend and doctor who was also a leader of the medical profession and a founding friend to Ashoka. Dedicated to innovations in the effectiveness and humane quality of health care. Established in 1991.
The Jan Schmidt Marmor Endowment
Jan Marmor was a wise counselor to her family, friends, and patients. She was a fine poet and artist. She was a close friend to Ashoka from its launch. With commitment and love she built a family that believed that "no good idea should go unexpressed" — or unheard. Established 2003.
The Francisco "Chico" Mendes Endowment
In memory of Chico Mendes, a friend and early Ashoka Fellow. Chico created an approach to grassroots organizing in the Amazon basin that Gandhi would have recognized but that was adapted to his own, very different, environment. Chico, like Gandhi, was killed pursuing peaceful change. The preferred uses of the funds are grassroots work and environmental issues, though the endowment carries no restrictions. Established in 1988.
The Helen Meresman Fellowship
In memory of Helen Meresman, the personification of breaking boundaries with determination, grace, and charm. The Helen Meresman Fellowship was established by Roger Barnett in 1997. Unrestricted.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Endowment
Jawaharlal Nehru was far more than a great national leader: He helped build a global community; he was a democrat; he was a historian; and he used his reflective power to hold himself to a high ethical standard. Unrestricted. Established in 2003.
The Jacob H. Oxman Memorial Fund
In memory of Dr. Jacob H. Oxman, a devoted husband and father, and a kind, caring, generous, and principled man. This endowment is used to support an Ashoka Fellow. Any additional funds can be used either to support another Fellow or to cover operating costs. Established in 1986. Unrestricted.
Diane Pierce Phillips Ashoka Fellowship Endowment
Diane Pierce Phillips led an exemplary life of spiritual integrity and servant leadership as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, wife and mother, registered nurse, hospice volunteer, minister of the United Church of Christ (Congregational), and spiritual director. Established 2003. Unrestricted.
The Daniel Saks Ashoka Fellowship
In memory of Dan Saks who, had he lived longer, would have changed U.S. employment policies even more profoundly than he already had. Dan was also one of Ashoka's earliest creators, beginning in 1963. Focused on creating work opportunities for the poor or otherwise disadvantaged. Established in 1986.
The Morton Sand Memorial Endowment
Mort Sand, long a highly successful business entrepreneur, turned his energy and creativity to solving society's ills over his last decades. He helped build Ashoka's Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur program, opened business opportunities for Brazil's street girls through three Fellows there, and pushed for and was key to the launch of the Ashoka U.S.A./Canada program. The Mort Sand Endowment will be used in the U.S.A./Canada. Although it is unrestricted, the Endowment will give priority to enabling disadvantaged young people through opportunities in business. Established in 2002.