Through our two-year, full-time Fellowship, we find people working on a plan to make the world better in a big way. Then we help them become impactful leaders by connecting them with the tools, resources, and communities they need to bring their ideas to life.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
If you have the ideas and vision to bring positive change to the world, we want to work with you. Don’t worry if your business plan or resume isn’t perfect. What matters is that you are committed to the problem you are solving and ready to make a big impact.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS
- Purpose & Passion: We want to understand why you care deeply about this issue and your community.
- Resilience: Demonstrate how you foresee challenges, and avoid or bounce back from them.
- Leadership: Can you lead this organization toward its goals? What unique skills and experiences will help you succeed?
- Ability to Attract Resources: Show us that you can attract money, people and other resources to your cause.
Applicant Eligibility
- You must be over 18 years old, fluent in English, and able to commit a full 40-hour work week to your organization. The organization must be the original idea of the applicant(s), in its start-up phase (usually within the first two years of operation), and independent and autonomous.
- If you are currently a full-time student or employee, you must agree to make your organization your full-time engagement if awarded a Fellowship.
- You do not need to be based in the US or be an American citizen. The only limitation on work location is that if your project is based in the United States, then you must have American work authorization (i.e., citizenship, permanent residence status, or a work visa). Echoing Green does not sponsor American work permits for any foreign nationals.
- You are welcome to reapply each year.
Organization Eligibility
- An organization can be structured as a nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid.
- An organization does not only have to be run by one individual. Partners can apply for a Fellowship.
- Organizations still in the idea phase are eligible. You do not need to establish 501(c)(3) status or register your organization before you apply.
- The program must be independent and autonomous. It cannot be under the management of another organization. If you have a fiscal sponsor that provides support but does not control organization decisions, you are eligible.
- Tuition or scholarship funding, or research projects; lobbying or faith-based organizations; and existing organizations which have grown past their start-up phase are not eligible to apply.
- You are welcome to reapply each year.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN YOUR ORGANIZATION
- Innovation: What about your approach is different from things that have been tried in the past?
- Importance: Explain to us the problem you want to solve and why it matters now on a global, regional, or local scale.
- Potential for Impact: We want to know if your project will directly impact many lives, or create systemic changes.
- A Good Business Model: You do not have to have solved all the details of how your organization will run, but show us that you are considering this thoughtfully and realistically.
EVERY FELLOW GETS OUR PROVEN SUPPORT MODEL
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Personalized Framework
A comprehensive, self-paced program to work towards building leadership skills and developing the structures and strategies needed for ideas to thrive.
Wellbeing Support
Ongoing secular support from three Echoing Green Chaplains, focusing on mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as self-care workshops designed specifically for the struggles of entrepreneurship.
SEED RESOURCES
Dedicated Portfolio Manager
An expert advisor and thought partner who guides leadership growth, helps build ideas and organizations for success, and connects Fellows to additional resources and funding opportunities.
Seed Funding
A stipend paid in four equal installments over two years ($80,000 for individuals; $90,000 for partnerships), in addition to a flexible benefit stipend. Funding offered to for-profit organizations is in the form of recoverable grants.
LIFELONG SUPPORT
Retreats and Networking Events
International gatherings to connect Fellows across classes and cohorts, as well as with experienced business leaders, institutions, and investors committed to solving global issues.
Expert Advisory Groups
Comprehensive pro bono legal and investment advice and a suite of support from leading professionals to help navigate the social entrepreneurship and impact investment fields.
Applications are due October 16, 2019 by 2:00 p.m. (14:00) Eastern Time.