For early-stage social entrepreneurs, Echoing Green fellowship funding is one of the most competitive on-ramps in the world. Founded in 1987, Echoing Green identifies, funds and supports social entrepreneurs tackling deeply rooted social, environmental, economic and political inequities — through an 18-month fellowship rather than equity investments. Fellows get seed funding, a dedicated portfolio manager, leadership-development gatherings and lifelong community support — a package designed to carry a founder from idea to investable venture. In the latest cohort, 18 fellows were chosen from 4,100+ applicants.

Thesis and focus areas

Echoing Green is issue-agnostic: fellows work on issues such as race and gender equity, environmental justice and economic development. The filter is the founder and the depth of the problem, not the sector.

Fellowship grant and scale

Echoing Green does not publish a fund AUM — it is a grant-making fellowship nonprofit. In the latest cohort each fellow receives $100,000 in seed funding. Across its history it has granted $45 million+ to 800+ fellows across 86 countries. A $10 million investment from the Ballmer Group has supported 40+ social entrepreneurs since 2023.

Portfolio: fellow-launched organisations

The alumni list is extraordinary: Teach For America, City Year, One Acre Fund, SKS Microfinance, Last Mile Health and Hot Bread Kitchen — all began with Echoing Green Fellows. It also partners with TWILA on agricultural innovation and food security.

People behind the fellowship

Cheryl Dorsey is CEO — herself a 1992 Echoing Green Fellow, a rare example of an alumnus running the institution.

How to apply for funding from Echoing Green

Applications are online only, submitted during a 3-week open application period before the 2:00 PM ET deadline, via echoinggreen.org/fellowship/apply — mail and email submissions are not accepted, and questions go to [email protected]. Eligibility: 18+, proficient in English, the original founder and primary decision-maker of an early-stage organisation (roughly under 5 years of full-time operation), and able to work on it full-time.

Why it matters for founders

With 4,100+ applicants for 18 spots, the Echoing Green Fellowship is harder to win than most accelerators — but it backs founders at the idea stage with $100,000 and no equity taken. For Indian social entrepreneurs early in the journey, it is one of the few global fellowships genuinely open to first-time founders. Mark the application window; it is only three weeks.