The Skoll Foundation

The Skoll Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to catalyzing transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other innovators. Founded in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay, its mission is to drive large-scale change towards a sustainable world of peace and prosperity. The foundation is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

The Foundation's core activities include providing grants and investments to social entrepreneurs globally. It supports initiatives addressing critical global challenges such as poverty, health, education, and environmental sustainability. Key programs include the annual Skoll Awards for Social Innovation, which recognize outstanding leaders, and the Skoll World Forum, an annual gathering that facilitates collaboration among change-makers. The foundation also shares the stories of social entrepreneurs through various partnerships to raise awareness of their impact.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Marla Blow, the Skoll Foundation continues to evolve its strategy, with a focus on equity and addressing interconnected global challenges. Recent initiatives include securing $25 million in April 2025 to accelerate efforts in health and pandemics, inclusive economies, climate action, effective governance, and racial justice. The foundation also recently recognized Pakistan's ChildLife Foundation with the 2026 Skoll Award for Social Innovation.