The Skoll Fund is a private foundation based in Mountain View, California, established in 1999 by Jeff Skoll. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) public charity and operates as a subordinate organization under Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The foundation catalyzes transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and innovators addressing the world's most pressing problems.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$945.8M
+9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$51.7M
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
147
+8.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$352K
-6.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Skoll Fund catalyzes transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other social innovators who together advance bold and equitable solutions to the world's most pressing problems.
Priority Areas:
- Systems change initiatives
- Social entrepreneurship at inflection points toward scale
- Sustainable Markets
- Education and Learning
- Health
- Peace and Human Rights
- Economic Opportunity
- Environmental Sustainability
Grantmaking
The primary grantmaking vehicle is the Skoll Awards for Social Innovation, which provides $2 million in unrestricted funding to selected recipients. Awards are given through an invitation-only process via partner network referrals, with fewer than 10 awards granted annually. The foundation operates a multi-year sourcing and selection process.
Grant Range
$2,000 to $2,000,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Skoll Fund operates with a global focus, having supported 122 social entrepreneurs and 100 organizations across five continents. Primary grantmaking concentrates in the District of Columbia, California, and New York, though funding reaches organizations across multiple states and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $945,764,651
- Total Revenue: $75,248,928
- Total Expenses: $59,643,539
- Total Giving: $56,133,469
- Program Expense Ratio: 88.53%
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $867,000,000
- Total Revenue: $32,500,000
- Total Expenses: $53,900,000
Annual Giving: $59.6 million (2024)
The foundation maintains a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, earning a perfect 100% score for accountability and finance.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $945,764,651 | $867,424,730 | $785,138,296 |
| Revenue | $75,248,928 | $32,535,459 | $41,630,175 |
| Expenses | $59,643,539 | $53,860,192 | $3,853,361 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $42,211,014 | $32,535,459 | $29,699,215 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mayo Clinic ($4,500,000), Panorama Global ($3,177,000), The Alliance for Climate Protection ($3,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER, MN | GENERAL NONPROFIT SUPPORT | $4,500,000 |
| PANORAMA GLOBAL SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL NONPROFIT SUPPORT | $3,177,000 |
| THE ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION WASHINGTON, DC | ENVIRONMENT | $3,000,000 |
| NEW VENTURE FUND WASHINGTON, DC | CIVIL PARTICIPATION | $2,240,000 |
| EARTHENABLE INC WESTON, MA | GENERAL NONPROFIT SUPPORT | $2,015,000 |
| MUSO INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | $2,015,000 |
| HEALTHY KIDS BRIGHTER FUTURE INCORPORATED BRUNSWICK, ME | GENERAL NONPROFIT SUPPORT | $2,015,000 |
| FINANCING ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH BETHLEHEM, PA | HEALTH | $2,000,000 |
| RIGHTS AND RESOURCES INSTITUTE INC WASHINGTON, DC | ENVIRONMENT | $2,000,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | HEALTH | $1,500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chief Executive Officer: Marla Blow
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES GB DEMARTINI III | CHAIR, DONOR CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SHASHI BULUSWAR | DONOR CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CHERYL DORSEY | CONTROLLING ORGANIZATION CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PAT MITCHELL | CONTROLLING ORGANIZATION CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RAJESH PANJABI | CONTROLLING ORGANIZATION CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GAYLE SMITH | CONTROLLING ORGANIZATION CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LINDSEY SPINDLE | DONOR CLASS DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DON GIPS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 0.5 | — |
| MARLA BLOW | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| BRUCE LOWRY | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| DEBBIE SANTOS | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the Skoll Foundation announced the winners of the Skoll Award for Social Innovation. The foundation has also engaged in collaborative grantmaking, including a commitment alongside Johnson & Johnson Foundation and Comic Relief UK of nearly $15 million to strengthen community health systems across Africa.
Skoll | Skoll Foundation Announces the Winners of 2024 Skoll Award for SocialSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Skoll Fund fund?
**Mission:** The Skoll Fund catalyzes transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other social innovators who together advance bold and equitable solutions to the world's most pressing problems. **Priority Areas:** • Systems change initiatives • Social entrepreneurship at inflection points toward scale • Sustainable Markets • Education and Learning • Health • Peace and Human Rights • Economic Opportunity • Environmental Sustainability
How do I apply for a grant from Skoll Fund?
**Grant Programs:** The primary grantmaking vehicle is the Skoll Awards for Social Innovation, which provides $2 million in unrestricted funding to selected recipients. Awards are given through an invitation-only process via partner network referrals, with fewer than 10 awards granted annually. The foundation operates a multi-year sourcing and selection process. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $2,000 to $2,000,000 • Typical awards: $6,000 to $4,500,000 • Decision timeline: Approximate…
Where does Skoll Fund make grants?
The Skoll Fund operates with a global focus, having supported 122 social entrepreneurs and 100 organizations across five continents. Primary grantmaking concentrates in the District of Columbia, California, and New York, though funding reaches organizations across multiple states and internationally.
What size grants does Skoll Fund award?
In 2024, Skoll Fund awarded 147 grants totaling $51.7M — an average of about $352K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Skoll Fund's EIN?
Skoll Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0528216. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Skoll Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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