ECHOING GREEN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS OVERVIEW Echoing Green s Fellowship Programs will offer more than $3.8 million in seed-stage funding and support this year to emerging leaders working to bring about positive social change. From thousands of applicants, only about 1 percent are ultimately awarded a Fellowship. During their first two years, Fellows receive up to $90,000, participate in leadership development gatherings, and have access to the powerful network of Echoing Green Fellows, partners, and friends. We continue to support our Fellow community long after their initial funding period with ongoing programs and opportunities at critical inflection points in their organizations or careers. We believe investing in and supporting the right people relative to the right ideas and ability to execute, rather than specific business plans, results in a lifetime of leadership. Echoing Green has invested over $33 million in seed-stage funding and strategic assistance in nearly 600 world-class leaders driving positive social change around the globe. Echoing Green Fellows include the founders of Teach For America, City Year, College Summit, Citizen Schools, One Acre Fund, and SKS Microfinance. FELLOWSHIP OFFERINGS Echoing Green Funding Stipend: Fellows receive up to $90,000 of unrestricted funding for their organization that can be spent on anything from programming to salaries. Health Insurance Stipend: Echoing Green believes our Fellows need to be healthy to carry out their work, so both domestic and international Fellows can be reimbursed up to $4,000 a year for health insurance payments. Leadership Development Funds: Echoing Green believes in the importance of investing in our Fellows as leaders, so each Fellow receives $1,000 a year for professional development opportunities such as leadership coaching, attending academic courses, or visiting other Echoing Green Fellows organizations. Personal & Professional Services Staff Guidance: Each Echoing Green Fellow is assigned a dedicated Echoing Green portfolio manager who offers guidance, assistance and referrals for issues Fellows have. Professional Services: Fellows have access to a variety of technical support and pro bono services, including legal help, marketing advice, and executive coaching. Conferences: Fellows attend Echoing Green conferences that have been designed to provide guidance on leadership and organizational development. Featuring high-profile speakers from a wide variety of socially-minded companies and organizations, these conferences provide our Fellows with time to network and learn. Echoing Green Network Collaboration: To foster collaboration, Echoing Green holds biannual brain-trusts, events designed to help Fellows support each other and brainstorm solutions to each others operational issues. Community: Echoing Green Fellows become part of our ever-growing community which gives them access to a network of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders: Support: Echoing Green understands that being a social entrepreneur can be a difficult and lonely process. We believe it helps to connect to others in your position, and our Fellowship gives entrepreneurs a platform through which to do so.
A yearly professional development stipend Leadership development and networking gatherings Access to technical support and pro bono partnerships to help grow their organization and a dedicated Echoing Green portfolio manager A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders, including the Echoing Green network of nearly 600 Fellows at Large working all over the world. Black Male Achievement Fellowship The Open Society Black Male Achievement (BMA) Fellowship, powered by Echoing Green, is an innovative partnership between the Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green, dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the U.S. It is the first fellowship program in the world for social entrepreneurs who are starting up new and innovative organizations in the field of black male achievement. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS Echoing Green manages three distinct Fellowship Programs. In Phase 1 of our application all applicants will automatically be considered for the Global Fellowship and may opt-in to be considered for our Black Male Achievement and/or Climate Fellowship. Global Fellowship The Global Fellowship is our twenty-five year-old program for smart young leaders who are deeply connected to the needs and potential solutions that may work best for their communities. Any emerging social entrepreneur from any part of the world working to disrupt the status quo may apply. The 2014 Global Fellowship will be awarded to individuals or partners representing up to twenty-two organizations who will receive: A stipend of $80,000 for individuals (or $90,000 for two-person partnerships) paid in four equal installments over two years A health insurance stipend The 2014 BMA Fellowship will be awarded to individuals or partners representing up to eight organizations who will receive: A stipend of $70,000 A health insurance stipend A yearly professional development stipend Leadership development and networking gatherings Access to technical support and pro bono partnerships to help grow their organization and a dedicated Echoing Green portfolio manager A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders, including Open Society Foundations and the Echoing Green network of nearly 600 Fellows at Large working all over the world. Climate Fellowship Echoing Green s new Climate Fellowship, built in partnership with The ZOOM Foundation, is specifically targeted to next-generation social entrepreneurs committed to working on innovations in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
The 2014 Climate Fellowship will be awarded to individuals or partners representing up to ten organizations who will receive: A stipend of $80,000 for individuals (or $90,000 for two-person partnerships) paid in four equal installments over two years A health insurance stipend A yearly professional development stipend Leadership development and networking gatherings Access to technical support and pro bono partnerships to help grow their organization and a dedicated Echoing Green portfolio manager A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders, including the Echoing Green network of nearly 600 Fellows at Large working all over the world. For more information, visit http://echoinggreen.org/app-guidance 2014 APPLICATION CYCLE PHASE 1 SEMIFINAL ROUND FINALIST WEEKEND OVERVIEW Online application Online application and supplemental materials In-person interview OPENS CLOSES December 3, 2013 12:00 PM (Noon) January 6, 2014 11:59 AM February 11, 2014 May 15, 2014 March 3, 2014 May 17, 2014 Basic demographic info Additional essays about yourself and your organization 3-day trip to New York City (funded by Echoing Green) Short essays about yourself, your idea/organization, and your partner (if applicable) Budget questions 60-second idea pitch REQUIREMENTS Resume Competitive Analysis Panel interviews Letters of Reference Phone interview (if needed) # OF PARTICIPANTS 2000-4000 300-400 80-100
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Black Male Achievement Fellowship What is the Black Male Achievement Established in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, the Black Male Achievement Fellowship is the first fellowship of its kind targeting new and innovative organizations dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the U.S. The 18- month Fellowship offers $70,000 in seed funding, mentoring and support from Echoing Green staff and experts, skill-building conferences and access to our global network of Fellows. Why is Echoing Green focused on Black Male Achievement? The Black Male Achievement Fellowship is a unique opportunity to focus our strategy where we see an opportunity to have increased impact. We saw in the partnership with Open Society Foundations an opportunity to leverage our collective resources, brand, and breadth to smartly scale positive impact on black men and boys in the United States. Are BMA Fellows considered Echoing Green Fellows? Yes, although the Open Society Fellowship for Black Male Achievement is an independent and distinct fellowship opportunity, BMA Fellows will have the same access to the full network and support services as other Echoing Green Fellows. BMA Fellows will have the additional benefit of access to the Open Society Foundations network and communities. Do I have to be a black male to be eligible? No. While your organization must focus on issues affecting black men and boys, the BMA Fellows are not required to be part of this population and will be chosen regardless of race, gender or ethnicity. We do expect all applicants to be able to articulate clearly why they feel a deep and long-lasting commitment to making change in this particular community. Are there any specific program or issue areas that the BMA Fellowship is focused on addressing? Fellowship projects should align with the Open Society Foundation s Campaign for Black Male Achievement priorities focused on improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the three core areas of: education, family, and work. If I am applying for both the BMA and Global Fellowships, do I need to submit two separate applications to be considered for both? No, you only need to submit one application to be considered for both the BMA Fellowship and the Echoing Green Global Fellowship. By submitting your application, you will automatically be considered for the Echoing Green Global Fellowship. You will also have the opportunity on the application to indicate your interest in the BMA Fellowship. How do I indicate my interest in applying for the BMA What if I forget to opt-in or note my interest? Near the start of the application, you will be able to note your interest in being considered for a specific Fellowship program. All applicants will also be reviewed for the Global Fellowship. If our review process determines that you are eligible for the BMA Fellowship but you select no or forget to mark your interest, we may still invite you to participate in the Semifinal round of the BMA Fellowship. Echoing Green will review all submitted applications for BMAeligibility. Your ongoing participation in subsequent rounds of either the Global or BMA Fellowship is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. What if I only want to apply for the BMA Fellowship, but not the Echoing Green Global Our application process does not allow you to select the BMA Fellowship and not the Global Fellowship. However, if you are invited to participate in a Semifinal round and do not wish to proceed with being considered for that specific Fellowship, you are welcome to withdraw at that time.
Can an applicant win both Fellowships in the same year? If not, how does the review committee decide? Can I communicate my preference? No, an applicant cannot win more than one specific Fellowship in the same application cycle. Our review process will determine which Fellowship seems the best fit for you and your organization, and if you qualify, we will invite you to participate in the appropriate Semifinal round. Is the BMA application cycle and review process identical to that of the Echoing Green The BMA application process will run parallel to the Echoing Green Global process, but will vary at different stages of the application. The first round application process is identical for both Fellowships. Once Semifinalists are selected, BMA Fellowship applicants will have a parallel process that includes BMA-specific Semifinalist application questions, which will be evaluated by a group of application readers and judges that are experts in the field of supporting black men and boys. If I am applying to both the BMA Fellowship and the Echoing Green Fellowship, how do I write my application so that it is competitive for both Fellowships? In this first stage of our application process, our review criteria are identical across Fellowship Programs. While BMA Fellowship applicants will need to demonstrate passion and commitment for positive life outcomes for black men and boys, we would expect all Echoing Green Fellowship applicants to demonstrate a similar passion for whatever issue or community their application addresses. More application advice can be found on the Application Guidance page. We also suggest reviewing the assessment criteria for both the Global Fellowship and the BMA Fellowship to see what the judges will be looking for. Are partnerships eligible for the BMA Yes, applicants can apply for the BMA Fellowship either as an individual or as a partnership limited to two individuals. If applying as a partnership, both individuals must be clear co-founders and co-leaders of the organization to be eligible. In addition, both individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. Is there a difference in stipend for BMA partnerships? The stipend amount is $70,000 total for each selected organization, regardless of whether the candidate applied as an individual or as a partnership. Is the BMA Fellowship limited to projects focused in urban areas? If so, what are the target cities? The BMA Fellowship is not limited to urban areas. Applicants from across the United States are invited to apply, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Am I eligible for the BMA Fellowship if black men and boys are a key target audience, but not the only focus? We expect that both your primary personal passion and the primary focus of your organization be on ways to support positive life outcomes for black men and boys in the United States. As long as you are able to demonstrate this passion and focus, it is acceptable to have other beneficiaries. Am I eligible for the BMA Fellowship if my project focuses on black men and boys in the US but also in other countries? We expect that both your primary personal passion and the primary focus of your organization be on ways to support positive life outcomes for black men and boys in the United States. As long as you are able to demonstrate this passion and focus, it is acceptable to have other beneficiaries. CLIMATE FELLOWSHIP What is the Echoing Green Climate Echoing Green s new Climate Fellowship, is specifically targeted for next-generation social
entrepreneurs committed to working on innovations in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The threat of global climate change is one of the greatest humanitarian and economic challenges of our time. Echoing Green expects powerful social returns from investment in promising leaders who recognize the future impact that climate change will have on their health, communities, and economic outlook. Our interest is in considering the full spectrum of mitigation and adaptation responses to the climate crisis from innovative technology in Silicon Valley to community organizing in the developing world. Why is Echoing Green starting a Climate Echoing Green seeks to increase impact across the world by investing in emerging leaders in issuespecific areas. The Climate Fellowship will expand the pool of energetic, early-stage, solutions-oriented social entrepreneurs with big ideas focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Is Echoing Green supporting a specific approach to Climate Change? No. For at least this first year of the Climate Fellowship we are interested in applications from social entrepreneurs interested in the full spectrum of mitigation and adaptation responses. This can be anything from a US-based technological solution to a developing world-based community organizing solution. In all cases, however, applicants must meet the standard eligibility criteria for all Echoing Green Fellows. Are Climate Fellows considered Echoing Green Fellows? Yes. Although the Climate Fellowship is an independent and distinct fellowship opportunity, Climate Fellows will have the same access to the full network and support services as other Echoing Green Fellows. Do I have to work in a specific country to be eligible for the Climate No, the Climate Fellowship supports social entrepreneurs working in all areas of the world. Applicants from all countries are welcome to apply. Please refer to our eligibility requirementsfor more information. Is the Climate Fellowship limited to projects focused in certain geographic areas? If so, what are the target areas? No, projects can operate with an intended global impact, or they can take place in a specific community. If I am applying for both the Climate and Echoing Green Global Fellowships, do I need to submit two separate applications to be considered for both? No, you only need to submit one application to be considered for both the Climate Fellowship and the Echoing Green Global Fellowship. By submitting your application, you will automatically be considered for the Echoing Green Global Fellowship. You will also have the opportunity on the application to indicate your interest in the Climate Fellowship. How do I indicate my interest in applying for the Climate What if I forget to opt-in or note my interest? Near the start of the application, you will be able to note your interest in being considered for a specific Fellowship. All applicants will be also reviewed for the Global Fellowship. If our review process determines that you are eligible for the Climate Fellowship but you select no or forget to mark your interest, we may still invite you to participate in the Semifinal round of the Climate Fellowship. Echoing Green will review all submitted applications for Climate-eligibility. Your ongoing participation in subsequent rounds of either the Global or Climate Fellowship is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. What if I only want to apply for the Climate Fellowship, but not the Echoing Green Global Our application process does not allow you to select the Climate Fellowship and not the Echoing Green Global Fellowship. However, if you are invited to participate
in a Semifinal round and do not wish to proceed with being considered for that specific Fellowship, you are welcome to withdraw at that time. Can an applicant win both Echoing Green Global and the Climate Fellowships in the same year? If not, how does the review committee decide? Can I communicate my preference? No, an applicant cannot win both Fellowships in the same application cycle. Our review process will determine which Fellowship seems the best fit for you and your organization, and if you qualify, we will invite you to participate in the appropriate Semifinal round. Is the Climate application cycle and review process identical to that of the Echoing Green The Climate application process will run parallel to the Echoing Green Global process, but will vary at different stages of the application. The first round application process is identical for all Fellowships. Once Semifinalists are selected, Climate Fellowship applicants will have a parallel process that includes Climate Change-specific Semifinalist application questions, which will be evaluated by a group of application readers and judges that are experts in the issue area field. Are partnerships eligible for the Climate Is there a difference in stipend for partnerships? Yes, applicants can apply for the Climate Fellowship either as an individual or as a partnership limited to two individuals. If applying as a partnership, both individuals must be clear co-founders and co-leaders of the organization to be eligible. In addition, both individuals must meet all eligibility requirements. The stipend amount is $80,000 total for partnerships and $90,000 for individuals. Am I eligible for the Climate Fellowship if addressing climate change is an important part of my project, but not the only focus? We expect that both your primary personal passion and the primary focus of your organization be on ways to address climate change. As long as you are able to demonstrate this passion and focus, it is acceptable to have other impact areas. If I am applying to both the Climate Fellowship and the Echoing Green Fellowship, how do I write my application so that it is competitive for both Fellowships? In this first stage of our application process, our review criteria are identical between all Fellowships. While Climate Fellowship applicants will need to demonstrate knowledge and passion around the effects of climate change, we would expect all Echoing Green Fellowship applicants to demonstrate a similar passion for whatever issue or community their application addresses. More application advice can be found on the Application Guidance page. We also suggest reviewing the assessment criteria for both the Echoing Green Global Fellowship and the Climate Fellowship to see what the judges will be looking for.