SF
Skoll Foundation
Corporate · Founded 1999 · Palo Alto, United States
Who Skoll Foundation is.
Where the institution came from, whose capital it manages, and how that capital is allocated — from Dealroom's LP research.
Historical Background
- The Skoll Foundation was established in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay, to support social entrepreneurs.
- In 2004, the foundation integrated the Skoll Community Fund, which is a supporting organization associated with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Source of Capital
- The foundation's capital is derived from the personal wealth of its founder, Jeff Skoll, who has committed to The Giving Pledge.
- It operates as a private foundation, managing its endowment through the Skoll Foundation and the Skoll Fund, which have distinct governing bodies but shared staff.
Allocation Strategy
- The foundation's strategy centers on providing capital to social entrepreneurs and innovators who are addressing significant global challenges.
- It makes grants and program-related investments (PRIs), such as loans to financial institutions that serve impoverished communities in developing nations.
- The foundation identifies and supports organizations with scalable innovations, presenting the Skoll Awards for Social Innovation to social entrepreneurs with proven models for change.
The funds Skoll Foundation backs.
Skoll Foundation is a limited partner in 85 funds. 11 of them place in the Power Law Investor Ranking, and the best-ranked are shown here.
How Skoll Foundation’s fund book is spread.
The 85 funds Skoll Foundation backs, by where the manager is headquartered and how many funds that manager has raised.
Where those managers are based
By fund headquarters.
- North America 5666%
- Europe 1518%
- Rest of world 1416%
United States 55 · United Kingdom 8 · China 4 · Hong Kong 3
How established those managers are
Managers grouped by how many funds they have raised. 24 emerging (three funds or fewer), 19 established — across the 43 of 85 with a fund history on record.
The companies Skoll Foundation backs directly.
Skoll Foundation holds 6 companies directly, separate from the funds it commits to as a limited partner.
How those direct holdings break down by headquarters country, sector, entry stage and current growth stage.
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India2
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Kenya2
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USA2
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Health3
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Education1
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Fintech1
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Early Growth3
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Breakout Stage2
Inside Skoll Foundation’s portfolio.
The 6 highest-funded portfolio companies, of 6 tracked.
Other LPs.
Other corporate and insurance LPs in the Power Law LP ranking, closest to Skoll Foundation by combined power-law score — North America first, then the nearest worldwide.