Image by GlobalX, who helped review Echoing Green applications in 2007 (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Need funding and mentors to get your social change project off the ground? Here’s a handful of contests and fellowships we’ve spotted recently. If you know of others we should promote, leave a comment below.
Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition
- WHO: University students
- WHEN: Deadline is November 9
- WHAT: The University of Washington invites student teams from around the world to propose businesses to reduce poverty in developing world. Semi-finalists are invited to Seattle to visit regional companies, receive expert coaching, present their business ideas to hundreds of professionals, and compete for up to $30,000 in prizes. Details here.
- WHO: New York City nonprofits, city agencies, and pro bono designers
- WHEN: Deadline is November 10
- WHAT: This competition pairs NYC organizations with all types of pro bono designers (landscape, interior, communications, architectural, you name it). The designers create solutions to make the organizations’ projects more beautiful and functional – and thus, their neighborhoods more livable, workable, and fun. Nonprofits and designers can find entry info here.
Women for Social Innovation’s Turning Point Prize
- WHO: Philadelphia-based emerging social entrepreneurs
- WHEN: Deadline is December 28
- WHAT: Ladies, got an idea to make Philly the city of sisterly love? Apply for this grant and you could win a $15,000 grant to improve the lives of women, girls and families in the area. Residents and local college students are eligible. Learn more.
- WHO: English speakers age 18+ whose organizations are in the start-up phase.
- WHEN: Applications accepted December 5-January 9.
- WHAT: Calling all visionaries around the world: have a new organization in the works but need some support? This highly competitive program supports its fellows with start-up cash, an $80,000 stipend, technical assistance, and a powerful network over the course of two years to make their idea the next big thing. Criteria and info here.
