Common Mistakes

The application process for the Echoing Green Fellowship program is highly competitive. In 2006, we received 883 applications for twenty fellowships. We employ a rigorous evaluation process and carefully review every application we receive. Applicants are evaluated against our funding criteria as well as against their peers. The following are the most commonly cited reasons for designating an application as “non-competitive.”

Mission of the project is outside our mission and funding guidelines: Echoing Green seeks out proposals that are for more than simply creating great programs. We are looking for innovative ideas for changing systems and developing new approaches to old problems. We are interested in proposals for high impact, sustainable organizations with the potential to create lasting social change beyond their immediate communities.

Applicant fails to submit a resume or submits a resume that is inappropriate: In order to evaluate your leadership potential, executive director skills and knowledge of the field that you intend to work it, it is important that we get a sense of who you are. Your resume is your opportunity to highlight work or volunteer experience that makes you uniquely qualified to take on the challenge that you have presented in your application. In the past, many of our applicants have failed to submit a resume or have submitted a resume that was inappropriate. Inappropriate resumes list an objective for a position other than what the applicant proposed in their application or resumes that put the primary emphasis on skills and experience that are only remotely related to the work they propose to do while downplaying experiences that will likely be highly valuable. We suggest that you view the resume requirement the same way as you would for any other position you were applying for. If you were to apply to be Executive Director of the organization that you have proposed, what experience and skills would you emphasize on your resume to make you the ideal candidate? Note: No resume or CV should exceed 3 pages.

Mission of the project is vague: Based on the application, it is difficult to determine the specific objectives of the organization or services the applicant intends to deliver. The mission of the proposed organization is either too broad, lacking specificity, or too inclusive, lacking focus. It is critical for start up organizations to have a very clear mission and goals. Addressing an issue on too many fronts or without clearly defined objectives often results in resources stretched too thin and a failure to make significant progress in any one area.

Need for the project is not clearly demonstrated: Applicant stated the need without sufficient statistics, sources or examples to support the claim or the applicant presents a need that is a market opportunity but not a true social challenge. A common approach among applicants is to state that the need for the organization is that it does not currently exist, which is insufficient to support a funding request. Our evaluators are often able to gain insight into how well the applicant understands the issues through their presentation of the need they plan to address.

Program does not appear to be unique or innovative: The Echoing Green “innovation test” is by far the hardest test to pass. Our readers have extensive experience across a range of program areas and a broad understanding of existing approaches and programs for attacking social challenges. When applicants propose projects that are similar to programs that already exist, we read carefully to identify how the applicant is seeking to improve upon existing models in significant ways. Applicants often fail to sufficiently present the innovative aspects of their program. Or the applicant may not have done the research that would have revealed that the program they are proposing is already in existence. We suggest all applicants spend time doing research.

Project plan is not realistic: While Echoing Green seeks out individuals who “dream big”, our fellows must also be realistic. We evaluate applicants’ project plans considering the objectives set forth in the plan and their relevant experience to determine if the plan is realistic. We also look at applicants' connections to the communities they plan to serve since community support is an invaluable asset.

Project does not appear sustainable: There are a number of indicators that programs are not sustainable. Examples include proposals for discrete projects with defined beginning and end points, proposals so ambitious that they would clearly require vast resources to support the mission, and proposals where there doesn’t appear to be a viable, long-term funding stream.

Applicant does not seem passionate about their project: If we cannot sense an applicant's passion for their organization or project through their application responses, we have less reason to believe they are likely to maintain the project through difficult challenges. Applicants who can display their enthusiasm have a competitive edge over those who do not seem eager or passionate about their new endeavor. 

There is no clear plan for identifying or measuring impact: The applicant has identified data gathering techniques but has not clearly established a link between the data they plan to collect and the impact of their program. While the applicant has a plan for tracking activity, they do not have a plan for evaluating their effectiveness.

Applicant does not give a budget estimate for organizational costs: "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer for this question because it shows Echoing Green that the applicant has not given enough thought to the project as a whole. The purpose of this question is to force applicants to seriously consider any organizational costs so they have an idea of how much money will be needed for their project to function.

Applicant(s) have not demonstrated sufficient relevant experience: Echoing Green does not expect the applicant to have started an organization previously and we don’t require that they have formal education in their program area. However, we do seek applicants who have demonstrated their interest, passion and leadership abilities through their previous work, academic and volunteer experience.