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The Skoll Foundation
Jeff Skoll established the foundation after leaving eBay. The entity focuses on social entrepreneurship as its core mandate. Wealth traces directly to Skoll's...
The Skoll Foundation
Jeff Skoll established the foundation after leaving eBay. The entity focuses on social entrepreneurship as its core mandate. Wealth traces directly to Skoll's early stake in the online marketplace. The foundation allocates across venture capital, private equity, and direct holdings. Asset classes include early-stage startups, growth companies, and real assets. Confirmed positions include Loch Duart Limited in Scotland and Joby Aviation in the United States. Geographic reach covers North America and Europe. Co-investments occur through Capricorn Investment Group and Pacific Sequoia Holdings LLC. The Skoll Fund operates as a supporting organization alongside the main entity. The team numbers 50 professionals based in Palo Alto. Additional structures include the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford, established in 2003, and the Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment at UCLA, launched in 2014. April 2025: Sponsored the Skoll World Forum in Oxford focused on climate and health topics. The foundation also holds minority interests in Wellington Lifestyle Partners properties in Florida. A key structural feature is the integration of an investment advisor, Capricorn Investment Group, that has managed assets since 2001. This arrangement separates grant-making from investment execution while allowing the foundation to maintain ownership stakes in operating companies and public securities through dedicated holding entities.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1999
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Palo Alto
Corporate office
250 University Avenue Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Principals
Jeff Skoll
Founder and Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at The Skoll Foundation?
Jeff Skoll serves as Founder and Chairman. Capricorn Investment Group acts as the primary investment advisor and OCIO since 2001.
How does The Skoll Foundation source proprietary deal flow?
Deal flow arrives through long-standing relationships with Capricorn Investment Group and co-investors such as Mark Bellissimo in real-asset projects.
Does The Skoll Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation holds both fund commitments, including New Majority Capital, and direct ownership stakes such as 27.69 percent of Loch Duart Limited.
What investment stages does The Skoll Foundation typically target?
Activity spans early-stage venture through growth equity and includes special situations and buyout exposure via affiliated vehicles.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Wealth originates from Jeff Skoll's founding equity in eBay, where he served as the first president.
How is The Skoll Foundation related to Capricorn Investment Group?
Capricorn Investment Group functions as the foundation's investment advisor and OCIO, managing allocations since 2001.
Does The Skoll Foundation maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The Skoll Fund operates as a supporting organization under the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Separate centers at Oxford and UCLA handle academic and entertainment initiatives.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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