“The workshop really opened new doors on how to maximize one's chances of getting our projects funded!”
Changemaker Finance participant
Changemaker Finance
Self-paced learning videos for social entrepreneurs to learn how to navigate blended financing approaches and unlock untapped resources.
Coming soon in March 2024! Facilitated live webinars on Changemaker Finance.
Stay updated on the facilitated version of this course by signing up to our Newsletter.
About the learning journey
An introduction to Changemaker Finance for social entrepreneurs, co-created with the Social Innovation Circle. A series of videos for self-learning and self-reflection where social entrepreneurs re-think and develop their funding strategies.
Learning objectives:
- Deep dive into the concept of Changemaker Finance and funding systems change.
- Learn how to craft a successful social business model.
- Explore the financing options available to social entrepreneurs and diversify your social investment opportunities.
Coming soon in March 2024! Facilitated live webinars on Changemaker Finance with a co-learning space for peers, investors, advisors, and experts to provide support and opportunities to collaborate.
The content of this course is provided to Ashoka by the kind permission of and under the license of the Social Innovation Circle.
Who this is for
This course provides an introductory and solid basis for anyone who is interested in taking their impact to a deeper level by developing new funding strategies. It is open to:
- Ashoka Fellows and members of their team
- Ashoka Young Changemakers
- Ashoka Support Network members (ASN)
- Ashoka staff
- Ashoka corporate partners and their employees
- Ashoka School Change leaders and educators
- Other Ashoka allies and collaborators
Stay updated on the facilitated version of this course by signing up to our Newsletter.
Practical information
Format:
2 Modules with 5 recorded videos each.
Dates:
The self-learning videos are open-source and always available.
Commitment:
Self-paced learning. Go through the videos below.
Modules
Module 1 - How to diversify your revenue
In these next videos, you will explore the main components of revenue diversification and gain valuable insights from Ashoka's Senior Advisor on Social Finance, Mark Cheng. Revenue diversification is a crucial strategy for organizations looking to ensure their financial sustainability and expand their impact.
Changemaker Finance: Introduction
Changemaker Finance: Hidden aspects and structures
Changemaker Finance: Beneficiaries
Changemaker Finance: Knowledge
Changemaker Finance: Sponsorship
Module 2 - The non-profit funding toolkit
In these next videos, Ashoka’s Senior Advisor on Social Finance, Mark Cheng, will be guiding you through the essential tools and strategies that non-profit organizations can utilize to secure funding and sustain their missions.
Changemaker Finance course: Introduction to Module 2
Changemaker Finance course: Types of financial tools and identify your financial tool
Changemaker Finance course: Category A: Repayable instruments
Changemaker Finance course: Category B: Sponsorship
Changemaker Finance course: Recap
Module Leaders & Facilitators
Mark Cheng
Mark Cheng is a seasoned social investor, writer and thought leader who has coached hundreds of social innovators in how to build business models for social change and raise finance for impact. He has helped innovators raise over a quarter of a billion dollars for social causes including healthcare, education and fighting climate change.
Since 2007, he has held the role of Senior Advisor on Social Finance at Ashoka, the global network of the world’s leading changemakers. In 2017, Mark wrote the Social Investment Toolkit because he wanted to share the insights and learnings from his work with a broader audience, and to demystify the process of raising investment for a new generation of social entrepreneurs.
He is a frequent writer and speaker on social finance and social innovation, and often runs workshops and trainings on how to raise finance and speak to social investors.
Pauline Verhaeghe
Pauline has been working in the field of social innovation for over 10 years, 8 of them at Ashoka, the world’s largest network for social entrepreneurs. At Ashoka, Pauline first started at the London office, building creative fundraising and communications strategies. She then moved to Brussels to develop and grow the Ashoka office there. After two years, Pauline moved to Nigeria and continued working for Ashoka at a global level, managing international partnerships with large corporates and public institutions, including Nestlé, JP Morgan and LEGO, designing and delivering online accelerators.
Pauline has an expertise in social innovation, impact measurement, system-change solutions and hybrid finance. She is on the Board of several enterprises active in the field of culture and education