Case Study Bullet Analysis: Ashoka
Alexia Tate
Liberty University
4 November 2021
Case Study Bullet Analysis: Ashoka
Introduction
For this case study,Ashoka was chosen to examine. Ashoka is a living encyclopedia of
social innovation across the globe.1Ashoka invests in innovative ideas and those who
contribute to them. Ashoka has fellows in 90+ countries and over 270+ fellows in the United
States.Ashoka’s vision is to create innovative ways to solve problems both domestically and
globally. Ashoka’s mission is “We identify, support and amplify the work of truly exceptional
individuals and institutions working to bring this promise (social innovation) into
reality”.According to Ashoka’s IRS 990 form, Ashoka has $82M in assets and $60M in gross
receipts.2
Background
Historic: Bill Drayton founded Ashoka in 1980 based on the idea that the most powerful
force for good in the world is a social entrepreneur: a person driven by an innovative idea that
can help correct an entrenched global problem.3“Beginning in India in 1981, Ashoka started
identifying and supporting the world’s leading social entrepreneurs who have ideas for
far-reaching social change. It started by first distilling their unique qualities and pioneering a
rigorous global system for vetting and electing them to the Ashoka Fellowship. Four years later,
Bill Drayton was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (“genius” award), and began to work full-time
on building the Ashoka organization.3”
Board Members
The board members share a history of education, advocacy, and social
entrepreneurship. Based on Ashoka’s mission and vision, these experiences help to drive the
mission statement. Having a background of education helps the organization spread knowledge
of social innovation. A background in entrepreneurship will help to market the program. This is
part of the reason why the program has expanded globally. Lastly, a background in advocacy
will help to keep morale uplifted within the organization.
Volunteers
Ashoka outreaches their volunteers through a global program known as AIESEC.
AIESEC was founded after World War II in hopes of building cross cultural understanding
across nations. AIESEC believes that our youth are the key to the future. AIESEC empowers
the youth to change the world.
A good system of volunteers includes planning, screening and selection, orientation,
training, and evaluation.4Planning is an essential part to having volunteers because it maps out
the entire program and finds the areas where the most help is needed. Planning also allows the
last minute questions to be answered such as what resources are needed and what are the
volunteers expected to do? Screening and selection allows for the best candidate to fill the
volunteer role. Regardless if the candidate will receive a stipend or if services will be free, it is
vital to select the best suited candidate in order to fulfil the agency's vision. Orientation is vital
because it will introduce the agency’s vision, mission and goals and introduce the expectations
of the volunteers. Training is the most important element because without proper training the
program will fall apart because responsibilities and expectations will not be met. Lastly,
evaluations will be a performance measure to determine how effective the volunteer has been
performing. This allows for the management team to hone in on the weaknesses and build on
the strengths.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths- Ashoka’s strengths are that the organization has a global network. The network
works together to build the future social innovators. These networks expand from India to the
United States. These networks also promote social and cultural inclusion globally.
Weaknesses- Ashoka may be so invested in their plan that they might not be equipped to
handle bias and adversity that comes when others do not want to accept cultural inclusion
globally. Also there is no training opportunities to properly train associates and volunteers how
to handle such situations
Opportunities- Opportunities to train volunteers and associates on how to handle those with
different views other than Ashoka views. Also opportunities present themselves when it is time
to expand to more countries, further training can help persuade others to join the Ashoka family.
Threats- Ashoka may face controversy when trying to expand globally. The world is not as
peaceful as we would want it to be and Ashoka needs to be fully equipped for the backlash and
controversy.
Performance Measures
Ashoka does not have any performance measures listed on their website. In order to evaluate
the progress and responsibilities of those making a change, Ashoka should implement quarterly
reviews of volunteers, associates, board members and any other personel. Also recognition
cards that remind the personnel that they are exceeding expectations will boost morale. Lastly,
suggestions to measure performance should be special patches handed out by management
that equals a monetary value after so many are collected.
Major Functions
● Identifies and supports social entrepreneurs
● Learns from the entrepreneurs patterns
● Build a framework to make a changemaker world
Financial Sources
● Foundation funding through donations, gifts and stocks
Fiscal Analysis
● Assets :$82M
● Gross Receipts: $60M
Conclusions
Overall, Ashoka is a great organization that supports social entrepreneurship and
creating frameworks to make a changemaker world. Ashoka should capitalize on their marketing
strategies. Before this assignment, I was not aware of this organization. Better marketing
strategies could help outreach the organization and its values to a broader audience. I think
more people would be on board with what Ashoka stands for but they are not aware they exist.
That can be attributed to the majority of Ashoka fellows happening overseas. More fellowships
should take place in the United States and other countries in North and South America.
References
1. Home: Ashoka: Everyone a changemaker. Ashoka. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2021,
from https://www.ashoka.org/en-us.
2. Connecting you with the nonprofit information you need. GuideStar nonprofit reports and
Forms 990 for donors, grantmakers, and businesses. https://www.guidestar.org/.
Accessed November 4, 2021.
3. Ashoka's history: Ashoka: Everyone a changemaker. Ashoka.
https://www.ashoka.org/en/story/ashokas-history. Accessed November 4, 2021.
4. Minnesota Literacy Council. Successful Volunteer Program.
https://www.literacymn.org/sites/default/files/elements_of_a_successful_volunteer_progr
am_2.pdf. Accessed November 4, 2021.
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