Ashoka

http://ashoka.org/
Ashoka invests in people. "We search the world for leading social entrepreneurs and at the launch stage, provide these entrepreneurs—Ashoka Fellows—a living stipend for an average of three years, allowing them to focus full-time on building their institutions and spreading their ideas. We also provide our Fellows with a global support network of their peers and partnerships with professional consultants. Once elected to the Ashoka Fellowship, Fellows benefit from this community for life".
I have come to know about Ashoka when I joined CSIM. Every year they elect Social Entrepreneurs from various countries, recognize them as 'Ashoka fellow'

Interview of Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder & Ashoka fellow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWrw15OTu8&feature=player_embedded#!