Echoing Green Black Male Achievement Fellowship

Program Type: Two-year fellowship program for social entrepreneurs focused on black male achievement

Award Amount:

• $80,000 for individual Fellow
• $90,000 for partnership (two founders)

Geographic Scope: United States primary focus; applicants working internationally with US component welcome

Focus Areas: Supporting positive life outcomes for black men and boys in the United States

Organization Eligibility:

• Original idea of applicant(s)
• In start-up phase (usually within first two years of operation)
• Independent and autonomous
• Can be nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid structure
• Primary organizational focus on black men and boys in the US
• Can have other beneficiaries if BMA is primary focus
• Can still be in idea phase

Applicant Eligibility:

• Must be 18+ years old at time of application submission
• Fluent in English
• Able to commit full 40-hour work week to organization
• NOT required to be black male - any race, gender, or ethnicity welcome
• Must demonstrate deep and long-lasting commitment to black male community
• Must articulate personal passion for positive life outcomes for black men and boys
• Must have American work authorization if project based in US
• Previously rejected applicants may reapply
• Only one submission per applicant per year
• Maximum 2 founders may apply per organization

Organization Types NOT Eligible:

• Students, scholarships, or research projects
• Lobbying or faith-based organizations
• Established organizations past start-up phase
• Books, films, plays, or scripts
• New projects within existing organizations
• Discrete projects with set beginning and end points

For-Profit Organizations:

• Eligible to apply
• Receive "recoverable grants" instead of regular grants
• Must agree to repay stipend if company achieves: $2M revenue in fiscal year with positive net income OR valued at >$5M
• Repayment term applies during 2-year Fellowship and 3 years after (5 years total)
• If thresholds not met within 5 years, no repayment required

Special Eligibility Notes:

• Black men and boys can be key target audience but do not need to be only focus
• Project can include work outside US with other beneficiaries, as long as primary focus remains US-based black male achievement
• Demonstrates passion and commitment to community through application narrative

Support Provided:

• Unrestricted funding
• Health care reimbursement
• Dedicated portfolio manager guidance
• Access to advisors and mentors
• Community convening across cohorts
• Conferences and gatherings

Contact Information:

• Address: 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4610, New York, NY 10118
• Phone: 212-689-1165
• Website: echoinggreen.org

Application Process

General Information:

• Applicants applying for both Black Male Achievement and Global Fellowships use one consolidated application
• Opt-in to Black Male Achievement Fellowship consideration in application
• Majority of application content is same across Fellowship Programs
• Additional questions specific to Black Male Achievement Fellowship required if opted in
• One submission per applicant per year

Application Steps:

1. Visit Echoing Green's Apply page at echoinggreen.org
2. Complete online application form
3. Provide responses to general fellowship questions
4. Opt-in to Black Male Achievement Fellowship consideration
5. Respond to Black Male Achievement-specific questions
6. Submit before deadline
7. Selected applicants advance to Finals round

Core Application Content:

• Personal background and connection to black male achievement work
• Deep and long-lasting commitment to black men and boys community
• Organization details and founding story
• Problem statement and solution description
• Target audience (black men and boys)
• Other beneficiaries (if any)
• Business/operational plan
• Proof of work authorization (if US-based)
• Evidence of startup phase status

Black Male Achievement-Specific Questions:

• Why is black male achievement/positive life outcomes a personal priority?
• How does applicant's background inform commitment to this community?
• How will organization create positive change for black men and boys?
• What is organizational focus on this population?
• Personal and organizational passion narrative

Review Criteria:

• Demonstrated passion for black male community
• Innovative approach to supporting positive outcomes
• Leadership quality and commitment
• Understanding of challenges facing black men and boys
• Organizational readiness
• Sustainability potential

Fellowship Award Determination:

• Applicants cannot win more than one specific Fellowship in same cycle
• Review committee determines best fit (Black Male Achievement vs. Global)
• Applicants invited to appropriate Finals round based on committee decision
• Applicant preferences cannot influence review determination

Timeline:

• Applications open on announced dates
• Finalist announcements follow submission period
• Final round with selected finalists in New York
• Fellowship cohort announced

Support During Application:

• FAQ resources available on Apply page
• Email inquiries accepted for specific questions
• Personal interviews or phone consultations NOT available
• Application guidance materials provided