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§ Grant
Fellowship and grant for early-stage social entrepreneurs, offering seed funding and support for systemic social impact.
The Echoing Green Fellowship is a seed funding and leadership development program administered by Echoing Green to support early-stage social entrepreneurs addressing systemic inequities. The initiative provides an $80,000 unrestricted, zero-equity grant over an 18-month to two-year period, alongside technical assistance and access to a pro bono partner network. Operating globally across multiple sectors such as climate justice, human rights, and education, the fellowship accepts applications from nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid entities, though the application cycle for the 2026 cohort is currently closed. The program is backed by sponsors like the MacArthur Foundation and Skoll Foundation, and its alumni network includes founders of prominent organizations such as Teach For America and One Acre Fund. This resource is intended for global founders and co-founders in the startup phase who require capital and strategic mentorship to launch community-led social impact ventures.
The Echoing Green Fellowship supports emerging leaders with bold ideas for social change from around the world. Fellows receive a $100,000 stipend over 18 months along with strategic support, leadership development, and access to a lifelong community of social entrepreneurs. Founded in 1987, Echoing Green has invested in nearly 1,000 social entrepreneurs and supported the launch of some of the world's most impactful organizations. The fellowship prioritizes ideas that challenge systemic inequality and create lasting change.
The fellowship is open to individuals and partnerships (up to two people) from anywhere in the world who are in the early stages of launching an organization or initiative for social change. Applicants should have a bold idea that addresses a significant social challenge and demonstrates the potential for transformative impact. The concept should be in the launch phase, typically within the first three years of operation. Both nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises are eligible. Echoing Green particularly seeks leaders from communities most affected by the problems they aim to solve.
Fellows receive a $100,000 stipend disbursed over 18 months to support their work. Partnership fellowships share $100,000 between two co-leaders. Beyond the stipend, fellows gain access to intensive leadership development programming, executive coaching, and peer networking with current and alumni fellows. Echoing Green provides strategic advising on fundraising, organizational development, and impact measurement. Fellows join a lifelong community that includes leaders of organizations like Teach For America, City Year, One Acre Fund, and many other prominent social enterprises.
Echoing Green opens applications annually, typically in the fall, through its website. The application process involves multiple stages including an initial application, semifinalist interviews, and finalist selection. Applicants describe their idea for social change, their personal connection to the issue, their theory of change, and how they plan to use the fellowship. The selection process is highly competitive, with acceptance rates in the low single digits. Echoing Green looks for evidence of bold thinking, deep commitment, and the potential for outsized impact.
Echoing Green's alumni network includes some of the most influential social entrepreneurs in the world. Wendy Kopp founded Teach For America after receiving an Echoing Green fellowship. Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, is an alumnus. Other fellows have launched organizations including City Year, One Acre Fund, SKS Microfinance, and Harlem Children's Zone. The fellowship has supported leaders across education, criminal justice, healthcare, economic development, environmental justice, and human rights.
A fellowship providing $100,000 over 18 months plus leadership development and community access to emerging social entrepreneurs with bold ideas for systemic change, from anywhere in the world.
Individuals or partnerships in the early stages (first three years) of launching an organization for social change. Both nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises are eligible. No geographic restriction.
Very competitive, with acceptance rates in the low single digits. Echoing Green looks for bold thinking, deep personal commitment, and potential for transformative impact.
It is a stipend (essentially a grant) that does not need to be repaid. Echoing Green does not take equity or require repayment.
Notable alumni organizations include Teach For America, Equal Justice Initiative, City Year, One Acre Fund, and Harlem Children's Zone, among nearly 1,000 others.