Fellow News

SKS Microfinance, one of the largest microfinance organizations in the world, recently issued an IPO that raised over $350 million. It is important to note that SKS is not the first microlending company to go public, but it is certainly the largest, sending some jolts through the burgeoning field of double/triple bottom-line businesses. 

“Slums will not go away because a few dozen Americans or Europeans spent a morning walking around them. There are solutions to our problems — but they won’t come about through tours.”

Before becoming the president of Echoing Green, Cheryl Dorsey was an Echoing Green Fellow and co-founder of the Family Van.

Ben Smilowitz is known for being a watchdog for transparency in the social change space. Most recently, Ben and his team at Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) released a report that aims to hold relief organizations responding to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake more accountable to the public.

A cancelled flight, 94 degree weather, and painful shoes did not stop 2009 Echoing Green Fellows angie beatty and shawn mckie from making an appearance at the White House.

At Echoing Green, we value acts of boldness. In the spirit of being bold, 2006 Echoing Green Fellow Pete Haas' latest blog post, "Show Me the Money--Disasters, Restrictions and The Future of the Fund Raising Industry" discusses the struggles of fundraising for a social enterprise. He has sparked a rich conversation among others in the field who face the same obstacle.

Entering three grades below grade level in a region where only thirty-three percent of high school students graduate, it is almost a miracle that 100% of the SEED School’s Washington, D.C. senior class graduated this year.

Ray Liuzza Jr., a prominent hotel executive, was murdered during a robbery on December 6, 1984 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2007 Echoing Green Fellow John Thompson was accused of the crime.

Last night’s edition of 60 minutes showcased a terrific feature on the SEED School (founded by 1998 Echoing Green Fellows Raj Vinnakota and Eric Adler).   The SEED school is the first urban public boarding school and has proven to be a successful model in Washington DC.  It is located in a district in which only 33 percent of students graduate from high school, and yet 95 percent of SEED students go on to college.   Admission is granted by a lottery and any family living in the district can apply.

Congratulations to One Acre Fund for receiving a Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship! Founded by 2006 Echoing Green Fellow Andrew Youn, One Acre Fund provides comprehensive service bundles to farm families stricken by severe annual hunger.