Deadline: 15-Jan-21
The Blossom Hill Foundation is seeking applications for its Fellowship Program that seeks passionate, committed individuals with innovative ideas about how to improve the lives of war-affected children from the Middle East.
The purpose of this program is to encourage individuals to develop innovative and solution-focused initiatives that create an opportunity for conflict-affected children and help to break the cycle of violence that plagues their communities. Through the Fellowship Program, Blossom Hill is investing in the next generation of leaders who will play a pivotal role in the reconstruction and advancement of their own communities.
At best, these solutions are informed and spearheaded by those who understand the situation intimately – individuals who hail from the region or are deeply connected to the Middle East and comprehend the multi-generational impact of war.
Blossom Hill offers fellowships to social entrepreneurs who have developed an innovative approach, program, or product that positively impacts war-affected Middle Eastern communities, either in-country or displaced due to conflict.
Benefits
- Fellowships are up to $50,000 a year and are renewable on a yearly basis depending on assessment and evaluation of the project’s impact.
Overview of Candidates
Strong Candidates possess two core values:
- Personal Integrity – a potential fellow
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- Is empathetic and compassionate toward others
- Has leadership experience or potential (passionate, trained, loyal, dedicated)
- Has confronted adverse circumstances and demonstrated resilience
- Shows a sense of purpose for the common good
- Commitment to Social Change – a potential fellow
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- Has a proven track record of genuine commitment to the cause he/she proposes and/or other social causes (work, study, and/or personal experience with the proposed plan and/or community)
- Shows interest in changing the status quo and/or is knowledgeable of those who have done so, serving as models and inspiration
- Has a collaborative spirit in order to broaden reach, particularly by involving those in need and aiming to empower them
Strong Ideas show three key characteristics:
- Demonstrated Need – a strong idea
- Articulates an authentic need that if addressed can make a positive change in the community
- Shows clear evidence of the need and likelihood for success of the proposed approach based on knowledge of the community
- Innovation – a strong idea
- Is creative and bold, presenting a novel approach to a social problem serving a population in need
- Employs critical thinking and in-depth analysis to alleviate the social need
- Recognizes the appropriate tools for community outreach, awareness, education, and action
- Impact – a strong idea
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- Is a thoughtful plan with specific, measurable, realistic goals and benchmarks
- Welcomes input and feedback in order to refine and improve the approach
- Aims to continue, expand or replicate what is proven effective
Eligibility Criteria
- The foundation funds programs or products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
- Initiatives can take place in the Middle East or another country where war refugee populations are prevalent and are the primary program beneficiaries, i.e., Syrian refugees now displaced in Europe.
- Applicants should have significant experience and close ties with the community and culture their idea is designed to serve.
- Applicants should possess the language skills necessary for the successful implementation of their proposed initiative.
- Applicants must have a partner NGO registered as a U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organization to serve as a fiscal sponsor.
- Applicants must reach children and youth beneficiaries ages 24 and under to qualify for funding.
- The foundation is looking for ambitious candidates who:
- Demonstrate an ability to succeed and commitment to social change
- Present bold, innovative, and viable approaches that address an authentic need and have the potential for exponential impact
- Are accessible, responsive, articulate, proactive, and take initiative to further expand their reach
- Interested applicants are invited to first submit a two-minute pitch video discussing their project idea and why they are the best person to lead this initiative. Upon review by the steering committee, applicants whose projects have been approved will be invited to formally apply.
Application Checklist
- Completed online registration form
- Completed candidate profile for each applicant (Section 1) and proposal (Section 2)
- Headshot (photo in high-resolution jpeg format with a minimum of 300 ppi)
- All attachments are in PDF format
- Attached two (2) letters of recommendation per applicant
- Attached required fiscal sponsor documents:
- 501(c)(3) determination letter
- Board of Directors
- Most recent financial audit
- List of major supporters.
For more information, visit https://blossomhill-foundation.org/fellowshipapplication/