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The Skoll Fund

Annual Giving
$59.6M
Grant Range
$2000K - $2.0M
Decision Time
26mo

The Skoll Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $59.6 million (2024 total expenses)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Multi-year sourcing process
  • Grant Range: $2 million (Skoll Awards), varies for other programs
  • Geographic Focus: Global (122 social entrepreneurs across 5 continents)

Contact Details

  • Website: https://skoll.org
  • Phone: 650-455-5411
  • Email: Via Contact Us form on website
  • Address: Mountain View, CA

Overview

Founded in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, The Skoll Fund is a private foundation with approximately $946 million in total assets as of 2024. The foundation's mission is to catalyze transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and innovators who are addressing the world's most pressing problems. With annual expenses of $59.6 million in 2024, Skoll has supported 122 social entrepreneurs and 100 organizations across five continents. The foundation operates with an 88.53% program expense ratio and has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for its accountability and transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Skoll Awards for Social Innovation: $2 million unrestricted funding

  • Fewer than 10 awards given annually
  • Multi-year sourcing and selection process
  • Invitation-only through partner network referrals

Priority Areas

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Economic Opportunity
  • Peace and Human Rights
  • Health
  • Education and Learning
  • Sustainable Markets
  • Social entrepreneurship at inflection points toward scale
  • Systems change initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Concept-stage ideas
  • Religious programs promoting specific faiths
  • Political campaigns or lobbying
  • Single municipality or local programs
  • New or early-stage business plans
  • Direct applications or unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Jeff Skoll - Founder
  • Don Gips - CEO
  • Marla Blow - President and COO
  • James G B Demartini III - Board Chair

The board consists of 8 independent members including notable leaders like Cheryl Dorsey, Gayle Smith, Pat Mitchell, and Lindsey Spindle. The foundation maintains 100% board independence and has documented policies for conflict of interest, whistleblower protection, and document retention.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Skoll Fund explicitly states they "do NOT accept direct applications or unsolicited proposals." Organizations are identified through:

  • Multi-year sourcing process
  • Direct engagement by Skoll team
  • Referrals from their partner network
  • Nominations from trusted sources

Getting on Their Radar

Based on Skoll's documented approach:

  • The foundation specifically seeks referrals and nominations from their established partner network
  • Organizations typically need to demonstrate proven impact before being considered (not concept-stage)
  • For high-income countries, organizations should typically have under $2.5 million annual revenue; for low/middle-income countries, under $1 million
  • Skoll actively engages in direct sourcing, suggesting they monitor the social entrepreneurship ecosystem for standout organizations
  • Building relationships with existing Skoll Awardees and partner organizations may lead to referral opportunities

Decision Timeline

Multi-year sourcing and evaluation process with no fixed timeline for decisions. The foundation conducts extensive due diligence before making awards.

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to invitation-only model. Fewer than 10 Skoll Awards are given annually from a curated pool of candidates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as organizations cannot apply directly. Organizations may be reconsidered through the ongoing sourcing process if they meet evolving criteria.

Application Success Factors

Organizations selected by Skoll typically demonstrate:

Five Key Evaluation Dimensions:

  1. Potential for Change - Novel or reimagined solution contributing to lasting systemic social change
  2. Ability to Deliver - Proven organizational capacity and track record
  3. Impact Record - Demonstrated results and measurable outcomes
  4. Inflection Point - At a critical moment where additional resources would enable transformational scale
  5. Proximity to Challenge - Leaders with lived or learned experience in the challenges they're addressing

Typical Profile of Funded Organizations:

  • Operating budget under $2.5 million (high-income countries) or $1 million (low/middle-income countries)
  • Working at sub-national, national, regional, or global scope (not single municipality)
  • Proven model ready to scale, not early-stage concepts
  • Focus on fundamentally transforming unjust systems
  • Creating scalable positive impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No direct applications - Focus on building visibility and relationships within Skoll's partner network rather than preparing unsolicited proposals
  • Demonstrate proven impact - Organizations need established track records before being considered; concept-stage ideas are explicitly excluded
  • Systems change focus - Emphasize how your work transforms unjust systems rather than providing direct services alone
  • Budget thresholds matter - Organizations typically fall within specific revenue ranges ($1-2.5 million depending on country income level)
  • Multi-year timeline - The sourcing and selection process takes years, requiring patience and sustained excellence
  • Unrestricted funding - The $2 million Skoll Award provides flexibility for organizations to invest in their highest priorities
  • Global scope preferred - Work must extend beyond single municipalities to sub-national, national, or international levels

References

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