Social Investment Council

Overview

In 2004, Echoing Green received an out-of-the-blue phone call from a mysterious stranger, Kristin Resnansky, a young professional at a New York City hedge fund. Kristin read about Echoing Green in David Bornstein’s seminal social entrepreneurship book How to Change the World, and she was inspired; she offered her support in the development of a young professionals’ fundraising board. Naturally, we took her up on it! From her initiative and dedication, the Social Investment Council was born. Launched with five founding members (and now including nearly seventy), the Council is a group of highly talented and socially conscious rising leaders from the private sector who support and spread the word of Echoing Green’s work, both formally through fundraising events and informally to their peers. The group offers a powerful way for motivated professionals to apply their own knowledge toward their desire to affect social change.

The long-term objective of the Council is to build a diverse network of successful private sector leaders who grow with Echoing Green and champion our mission throughout their lives. Annually, the Council aims to raise enough money to fund two to three Echoing Green Fellows over the course of their two-year fellowship. The Council reaches its goals through organizing cultivation and fundraising events. Its primary event is an annual cocktail gala for 450+ young professionals based in New York City.

Meet the Social Investment Council members (PDF).

View profiles of some of our members:

• Christine Eun
• Miles Lasater
• Jay Parekh
• Rachel Tronstein
• Jackson Tse
• David Waldman

The Council is an ideal group for individuals who are interested in:

• Applying private sector expertise to foster social change
• Meeting some of the most innovative and entrepreneurial emerging social sector leaders in the world
• Learning about cutting-edge new ideas that will change the world we live in
• Connecting with like-minded peers who work for some of New York’s most prestigious companies

Council members commit to:

• Donating at least $1,000 annually to Echoing Green
• Organizing high-impact events by securing sponsors, event venues, raffle/auction items, and in-kind partners
• Attending events and attracting guests to participate
• Exploring ways to create partnerships that benefit Echoing Green (either with the companies they work for or other organizations they are involved with)

The minimum requirements are designed with busy professionals in mind; all members, however, have the opportunity to dial-up their involvement in various ways. These options include:

• Evaluating applications to assist in the selection process for Echoing Green’s seed funding/support fellowship for emerging social entrepreneurs
• Partnering with a fellow through the Fellow Match program, working together on clearly defined projects
• Working with Echoing Green staff on independent projects (i.e., strategic planning, helping us secure media, selling our publication, etc.)

Terms

Council members commit to serve on the Council for one year and can renew annually.

To get involved, check out our Social Investment Council application.