Funding sources for new NGOs and new ideas are rare. Most donor agencies prefer to provide financial support to experienced organizations. But this does not mean that early-stage grant-seekers should feel discouraged. We have gathered a list of those grant-making agencies which offer programs to provide small and large size grants to new ideas, promising efforts, potential scale-ups and even new NGOs. Such type of funding is also known as ‘seed grants’ but they are available only for the most innovative, cost-effective and promising initiatives. If you are a FundsforNGOs Premium Member, you can also view a video on this topic by logging in here.
*Please note that some of the opportunities discussed here are closed and you can apply for them only after they open up to receive new proposals. Nevertheless we present them here so that you can mark them up on your calendar and apply at the right time.
Echoing Green Seed Grants for Emerging Social Entrepreneurs
The Echoing Green invites emerging leaders working to bring about positive social change to apply for any of the following three fellowship opportunities-
- Global Fellowship
- Climate Fellowship
- Black Male Achievement Fellowship
Fellowship Program by Echoing Green is a two year program that requires the fellows to work full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) during the fellowship period. Each selected fellow will be assigned a portfolio manager to offer guidance, assistance and referrals; they will have access to a variety of technical support and pro-bono services, including legal help, marketing advice and executive coaching. They will also participate in conferences that provide guidance on leadership and organizational development.
Benefits
- 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 more than 600 Fellows working in over sixty countries all over the world.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be:
- Over 18 years old
- Fluent in English
- Able to commit a full 35 hour work week to their 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
- Independent and autonomous
- An organization can be either a non-profit, a for-profit, or hybrid.
- An organization does not only have to be run by one individual. Partnerships can apply for a Fellowship.
- Organizations still in the idea phase are eligible.
- Students, scholarships, or research projects, faith-based organizations, existing organizations which have grown past their start-up phase are ineligible to apply and will not be funded.
Application Procedure
The application procedure consists of three phases-
- Phase 1: Online Application
- Candidates are required to fill their:
- Basic demographic info
- Short essays about yourself, your idea/organization, and your partner (if applicable)
- CV/Resume
- Phase 2: Semi-Final Round
- Candidates at this stage are required to write:
- Additional essays about them and their organization
- Budget Questions
- Competitive Analysis
- Letters of Reference
- Phone interview (if needed)
- Phase 3: Final Round- In-Person Interview
- Trip will be organized for candidates to New York City (funded by Echoing Green)
- And a 60-second idea pitch Panel interviews will be taken.
More information about this Seed Funding Opportunity is available in the PDF version. If you are a FundsforNGOs Premium Member, you can instantly download this PDF version. Not a Premium Member? Click here to Sign up! Not interested? Continue reading…
