Social entrepreneurship

We chose social entrepreneurship as the focus for our major grant giving as it is the logical extension of what we do commercially and builds on our history of support in that area, most notably as one of the founders of Bridges Ventures. It is also an area where some of our Trustees have significant experience.

 

How we select the charities and social enterprises we fund

The Apax Foundation's Trustees consider these issues in reaching a funding decision

  1. 1

    Does the organisation focus on social entrepreneurship?
    We define this as helping people in deprived communities to become self-sufficient by setting up their own businesses

  2. 2

    Is the charity's work on the 'front line' or more removed (e.g. in an area such as research)?
    Our preference is for 'front line' operations although we do fund social entrepreneurship at leading business schools

  3. 3

    Does the charity operate in one of Apax Partners' regions?

  4. 4

    How many beneficiaries will be reached by the charity's programmes?

  5. 5

    Does the organisation have a strong, stable management team, and good internal processes?

  6. 6

    Is there strong involvement from a member of our team or someone we are close to?

  7. 7

    Will our donation fund something that will bring long-term benefits?

 

Funding decisions are made by the Apax Foundation's Board of Trustees, which meets quarterly The Apax Foundation has a balanced portfolio with a mix of start-ups and large, established organisations


Social entrepreneurship - current portfolio

Charity

Grant period

Country

Ashoka

3 years: 2008-10

Germany

Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund

3 years: 2008-10

UK

Emmaus

3 years: 2008-10

UK

Achievers International

3 years: 2008-10

UK/International

Mosaic

3 years: 2008-10

UK

INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programme

2 years: 2009-10

France/Singapore

Grameen America

3 years: 2009-11

US

Millennium Promise

3 years: 2009-11

Africa

London Business School

1 year: 2010-11

UK

Bromley by Bow Community Centre

2 years: 2010-11

UK

Non-Profit Incubator

3 years: 2010-12

China

Shivia

3 years: 2010-12

India