Echoing Green Names 'Ten Best Emerging Social Entrepreneurs'; Honorees to receive Echoing Green Fellowship with up to $90,000 grant.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2003

From an Arab-Jewish couple promoting nonviolent political action in the Middle East to a former Rwandan refugee who is helping immigrants make the transition to life in the United States, the global social venture fund Echoing Green is honoring the world's "Ten Best Emerging Social Entrepreneurs" for their efforts to use entrepreneurial principles to create lasting social change.

Selected from nearly 1,000 applicants in 60 countries, the ten organizations receiving the prestigious 2003 Echoing Green Fellowship will receive up to $90,000 in seed funding over two years to launch new nonprofit organizations that address society's most difficult problems.

"Through the Echoing Green Fellowship, we are the first to invest in visionary leaders with bold ideas for social change," said Dr. Cheryl Dorsey, Echoing Green President. "We take risks on emerging leaders with new solutions because the greatest risk is overlooking an idea that can change the world."

Fellowship recipients are selected based on a rigorous five-month application process that includes creating a detailed organizational plan and interviews before a panel of veteran business and nonprofit leaders in New York City. Judges evaluate applicants' leadership and entrepreneurial skills, creativity and the potential of their ideas to deliver long-term social change.

"Echoing Green Fellows are part of a new class of community leaders who are using entrepreneurial principles to create positive social change," Dorsey said. "We believe the energy and innovation that drive the private sector can foster new solutions in the social sector."

Echoing Green is a global social venture fund that provides seed capital and technical support to emerging leaders with bold ideas for social change. Individual recipients receive a $60,000 grant and partners receive a $90,000 grant. Since 1987, Echoing Green has invested more than $21 million to help 370 leaders spark positive change in 30 countries. For information and to apply for a 2004 Echoing Green Fellowship, visit www.echoinggreen.org, call 212.689.1165 or email [e-mail]. Application deadline is January 12, 2004.

2003 Echoing Green Fellows:

Adam Shapiro and Huwaida Arraf, Palestinian Strategic Nonviolence Initiative, Ramallah, Palestine

A Jewish-Arab couple, Shapiro and Arraf created the Palestinian Strategic Nonviolence Initiative to train and educate students and activists to use nonviolent political strategies to address difficult economic conditions and escalating violence in Palestine. "We believe nonviolent political action is the only answer and our best hope," says Arraf, 27.

Clementine Mukeshimana Msengi, Bright Move, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

A former Rwandan refugee, Msengi created Bright Move to provide education, mentoring and social service referrals to help immigrants and refugees make a successful transition to life in America. "Bright Move recognizes the importance of refugees and immigrants in ensuring the economic and social viability of Iowa," says Msengi, 30.

Daniel Ravicher, Public Patent Foundation, New York City

A patent attorney, Ravicher created the Public Patent Foundation to use education, advocacy and legal action to challenge illegitimate patents that prevent patients from receiving vital medications and limit economic opportunities for small business in the marketplace. "Most people do not realize how illegitimate patents restrict their freedoms and affect their wallets," says Ravicher, 28.

Fred Schlomka, Mosaic Communities, Kfar Saba, Israel

Schlomka established Mosaic Communities to lease and purchase land and develop new housing to create integrated Arab-Jewish communities open to all residents of Israel. "Obstacles in regional planning and in obtaining building permits have led to mounting housing inequities in Israel," says Schlomka, 50, an Israeli and American citizen.

Gary Kosman, America Learns, Los Angeles, California

Kosman launched America Learns, the nation's first internet-based program designed to empower tutors and tutoring program managers by streamlining administrative processes and sharing best practices. "By partnering with practitioners and administrators, we have designed a powerful technology solution to help tutors focus on teaching, not bureaucracy," says Kosman, 25.

Joshua Brown, The Salish Language Perpetuation Project, St. Ignatius, Montana 

With only 80 fluent Salish speakers among 6,000 tribal members, Brown launched The Salish Language Perpetuation Project to preserve the language and cultural traditions of his Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Nation. "Language is the foundation of society and the fundamental key that connects generations through time," says Brown, 29.

Marcus Douglas Scott, The Fre Foundation, Arlington, Virginia

A lawyer and urban studies Ph.D. who was classified as mentally retarded in grade school, Scott created the Fre Foundation to develop innovative teaching tools based on living leaders of social justice movements to inspire youth civic participation and sustain collective memory across generations. "Only a leadership that learns from the past is capable of articulating a democratic vision for the future," says Scott, 40.

Mia Butzbaugh and Michael Dale, Northwest Workers' Justice Project, Portland, Oregon

Butzbaugh and Dale are launching the Northwest Worker's Justice Project to expand access to legal services for low-wage, contingent and undocumented workers in Oregon. "We are creating a strong voice for workers and building solidarity across ethnic and racial barriers," said Dale, 55.

Tara Veazey, Eastern Montana Self-Help Law Project, Helena, Montana

Veazey's Eastern Montana Self-Help Law Project mobilizes attorneys and community volunteers to provide poor people with legal education, advice and self-help materials to competently and confidently represent themselves in civil cases. "With meaningful education and assistance, people can be empowered to solve their own legal problems," said Veazey, 31.