Approach

Echoing Green has modeled our fellowship program around our distinct approach to social change:

Social entrepreneurs play a vital role in fostering societal change

• The next big idea for social change will come from a robust pipeline of new leaders with innovative solutions. Social entrepreneurs exhibit an extremely high level of passion and commitment to their ideas. As a result, they remain steadfast on realizing their vision, but they also remain malleable in order to weather the obstacles that they will confront.
• Social entrepreneurs are extraordinary "bridgers." They have the great ability to deeply engage multiple and diverse stakeholders in their work, attracting corporate, public, and nonprofit leaders alike.

Social entrepreneurs need support and a strong network to succeed

• Social change work is oftentimes lonely and arduous and beyond the capacity of any one individual, especially during its start-up stage.
• A strong network of support is critical to sustaining the work of great societal leaders and broadening their impact.

More risk-taking is required in the philanthropic sector to drive true social change

• The entrepreneurial spirit that has long driven the economic growth in the U.S. and around the world needs to be brought to the social sector. Social change is created by developing new approaches that address root causes.
• Throughout history, breakthrough ideas and social change tend to come from the margins of society.
• New organizations, unconstrained by tradition, are often best able to challenge the status quo.

Social Entrepreneurial Intelligence

Echoing Green President Cheryl Dorsey discusses the traits and skills that have defined the most successful social entrepreneurs.