Social Entrepreneurs

“Journalism should have a profound social impact,” said Alberto Ibarguen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  This quote defines the root of the Knight Foundation’s partnership with the Ashoka: Innovator for the Public.

The Knight Foundation will invest  $3 million in Ashoka to find social entrepreneurial journalists.  This partnership will fund fellowships to 30 lucky and hard working journalists for three years. 

Both organizations are looking for journalist that will create social change in geographically specific communities. But this partnership will be, “a tension filled relationship” according to Ibarguen.

The Knight foundation has historically been focused on journalism from a American perspective while Ashoka has its roots in a global context.  That tension as well as other criteria distinguishing quality journalism from advocacy will have to be worked out between the two massive organizations. 

However, Diana Wells, president of Ashoka, clearly defines the qualities they are looking for in a journalist:

• Creativity – An ability to combine visionary goal setting with a practical approach.
• Entrepreneurial quality – A total commitment to changing patterns and systems.
• Commitment to social impact – The potential of the idea to solve an endemic problem.
• Ethical fiber – An ability to inspire others by strength of character and integrity.

(Taken Directly From Ashoka’s website: http://www.ashoka.org/node/3833)

Once the fellows are selected they will receive three years of funding.  Ashoka will also provide a community of peers to help and encourage the fellow while providing professional network.  Ashoka hopes this will “mid-wife” the idea.

According to Wells, 95% of Ashoka’s fellow are still working on their projects after five years, in contrast to a 5% success rate small business start-up given the same time. 

While the odds of a project succeeding are rather high, odds of a receiving a fellowship is rather dicey.

Deron Triff, founder and CEO of Changents a for profit business, questioned both Ibarguen and Wells about their stance in funding non-profit organizations over for-profit.  Wells and Ibargeun both recognized that for-profit business can be socially conscious and can be more effective than non-profits.  However, neither answer seemed to satisfy the heart of Triff’s question. 

Another audience member also asked how these organizations recognize “innovation,” an inherently difficult task.  While thinking outside the box maybe innovative it could also be seen as socially unacceptable and therefore never adopted.  Again the answer doesn’t really seem to provide an insight to receiving a fellowship.

Yet, this shouldn’t stop anyone from applying for the fellowship, just don’t bank on it.

“Journalism should have a profound social impact,” said Alberto Ibarguen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  This quote defines the root of the Knight Foundation’s partnership with the Ashoka: Innovator for the Public. 

The Knight Foundation will invest  $3 million in Ashoka to find social entrepreneurial journalists.  This partnership will fund fellowships to 30 lucky and hard working journalists for three years.

Both organizations are looking for journalist that will create social change in geographically specific communities. But this partnership will be, “a tension filled relationship” according to Ibarguen. 

The Knight foundation has historically been focused on journalism from a American perspective while Ashoka has its roots in a global context.  That tension as well as other criteria distinguishing quality journalism from advocacy will have to be worked out between the two massive organizations.

However, Diana Wells, president of Ashoka, clearly defines the qualities they are looking for in a journalist:

• Creativity – An ability to combine visionary goal setting with a practical approach.
• Entrepreneurial quality – A total commitment to changing patterns and systems.
• Commitment to social impact – The potential of the idea to solve an endemic problem.
• Ethical fiber – An ability to inspire others by strength of character and integrity.

(Taken Directly From Ashoka’s website: http://www.ashoka.org/node/3833)

Once the fellows are selected they will receive three years of funding.  Ashoka will also provide a community of peers to help and encourage the fellow while providing professional network.  Ashoka hopes this will “mid-wife” the idea. 

According to Wells, 95% of Ashoka’s fellow are still working on their projects after five years, in contrast to a 5% success rate small business start-up given the same time.

While the odds of a project succeeding are rather high, odds of a receiving a fellowship is rather dicey.

Deron Triff, founder and CEO of Changents a for profit business, questioned both Ibarguen and Wells about their stance in funding non-profit organizations over for-profit.  Wells and Ibargeun both recognized that for-profit business can be socially conscious and can be more effective than non-profits.  However, neither answer seemed to satisfy the heart of Triff’s question.

Another audience member also asked how these organizations recognize “innovation,” an inherently difficult task.  While thinking outside the box maybe innovative it could also be seen as socially unacceptable and therefore never adopted.  Again the answer doesn’t really seem to provide an insight to receiving a fellowship. 

Yet, this shouldn’t stop anyone from applying for the fellowship, just don’t bank on it.