Echoing Green

As I mentioned in the last post, I was recently named a semi-finalist for the Echoing Green Fellowship. In earlier blog posts, I have spoken about the importance of gaining credibility - and fast. While being named a semi-finalist is a long way from being named a fellow, I have already seen the advantage of being associated with a respected program. I feel like people are more willing to listen to me speak about the model when previously I had to first prove myself. Understanding this shift is understandable when you review the organizations that have been incubated under Echoing Green:

• Citizen Schools
• Peace Games
• College Summit 
• National Public Service Academy
• The SEED Foundation
• City Year
• Teach for America
• The BELL Foundation

Moving into the next round, I'm required to complete few tasks that will be extremely helpful, regardless of the eventual outcome of the competition. First, I have to complete an "Innovation Matrix," which involves identifying comparable programs and outlining specific ways in which we are different (and better). Second, we have to complete a "Root Cause Analysis." This interesting step involves going through a series of steps to identify the root cause of the problem Reach, Inc. is trying to address (a systemic inability to promote academic recovery at the high school level) by questioning the cause of symptoms. Finally, we have to complete an organizational budget that covers the first two years of operations, which, for us, is slightly different than the fiscal year budgets that we have completed previously.

In the end, being named a fellow would result in $60,000 of funding, health insurance, and an ongoing professional development program. More exciting, the credibility gained would be infinitely important in our ongoing effort to legitimize our organization.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Mark

Founder and President - Reach, Inc.