Our Blog
The stories behind the grants
The Difference One Person Can Make: Dickson Oketch and His Work with Girls in Siaya, Kenya
With such sensational stories bombarding our hearts and minds, it is easy to succumb to fear—or, worse, apathy. But at The Pollination Project, we strive to provide an antidote to apathy by uplifting the voices of those changemakers who are making a positive difference in the world—changemakers like Mr. Dickson Oketch
TPP Is Now Accepting Applications for Animal Advocacy Projects
We are thrilled to announce that TPP has received funding to provide $1,000 seed grants, plus trainings and networking opportunities, to groups who are working on behalf of animals. Are you or someone you know working in animal advocacy? Apply today! We are especially...
A Daily Purpose
In our day to day lives we do not always recognize the realities that many people face around the world. At TPP, we are honored to stand beside grantees who remind the world of the challenges and beauty that we are unable to perceive. We all have the ability to choose...
A Voice for the Voiceless: Sameeksha Bhattarai Advocates for Compassion Toward All Animals in Kathmandu, Nepal
Sameeksha Bhattarai, founder of Project Compassionate Nepal, says that veganism—and her quest to help others in her community of Kathmandu choose a plant-based lifestyle–has been one of the biggest battles of her life. Despite the hardship, however, she refuses to shy away from the effort.
Looking for Answers Through Being in the NOW
It is well known that humanity is suffering from an alarming growth in the rates of mental health illnesses, especially related to activists (environmental, social, and animal defenders) who are constantly under risk situations or exposed to graphic violence. If we...
Tessa Graham – Animal Advocacy Coordinator
Tessa’s personal mission to work toward the eradication of factory farming has shaped her choices over the last decade. Tessa’s dedication to this mission began when she adopted a vegan lifestyle. This lifestyle introduced her to an expanded perspective of health and...
Seventeen Year Old Aadya Joshi Pioneers Education and Action Toward a More Biodiverse India
Aadya Joshi remembers being disappointed that she could never find the birds of which her grandparents spoke–not for lack of trying, but because the birds simply didn’t live there anymore…
A Safe Haven
A significant element for creating global change is building safe havens for people to gather. Whether it is a physical space or a digital platform, building an environment for communities to grow, learn and reclaim their well-being is essential for long term success...
Slowing to the Pace of Nature: Reflections from the November 2019 Animal Advocates Meditation Retreat
As I and other animal rights activists broke silence to share our personal experiences throughout the retreat, it was revealed just how many of us had or were currently suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, or incessant stress from working on such big issues with so few resources.
Continuous Commitment
TPP grantees portray a version of all of us that we can’t give up on. They are able to vision hold for individuals and communities who have dreams, small or grand that move the needle forward. When life is uncertain, anything is possible. It takes courage, love and...
Grand Visions
Being a changemaker goes beyond the successful execution of a community-based project. TPP grantees are visionaries because they can authentically spread their positive perception to others. In order to reimagine the future and leave strong legacies, TPP grantees do...
Sustain and Restore
Strengthening our connection to Earth has the ability to ignite our inner leadership, spirituality, and foster community. All around the world, TPP grantees utilize the richness of what nature has bestowed on us to transform food systems, build economic stability and...
Building Resilience: Multi-Grant Award Recipient Susan Silber Believes in the Power of Community-Originated Solutions
Susan Silber is a force of nature—an apt comparison as she has been working as an environmental educator for the past 30 years. Stunned by the harsh reality of the climate change crisis as presented through Al Gore’s 2006 film, An Inconvenient Truth, Silber was forever changed…
“The Spark That Ignites”: Cameron Deal Brings Music to Under-Resourced Children in Peoria, Arizona
When someone has as much passion as Cameron Deal, you can’t help but get swept away by their emotions.
Nourishing Our Youth
Do you remember the first time you were inspired as a child? Did you have people in your life to advocate for your health, education and overall wellbeing? As children, our self confidence and life perspective is highly impressionable. TPP grantees understand the need...
The Best Advice You’ll Ever Get About TPP Grants (From TPP Grantees Themselves)
Whether you’re a TPP grantee or hope to be one in the future, it’s always helpful to get a little perspective from those that have “been there and done that.”
Positive Perception
How do you identify your individual greatness? Although this can be discovered on one’s own, at TPP, we believe inner transformation is best discovered through communal experience with others. Recognizing the beauty and power in someone else mirrors the power that...
The Pollination Project Partners with Tipping Point Foundation to Further Compassion for All Beings
This month, The Pollination Project (TPP) celebrates its wonderful partnership with Tipping Point Foundation (TPF)!
Environmental Champions
The way TPP grantees engage with our planet is astounding and ever evolving. From organic farming, gardening, rain water harvesting and clean water initiatives, there are infinite ways to heal and develop a community. Although each project below is passionately...
“Change from Within”: 5 Questions for Paul Kronenberg, Co-Founder of kanthari in Kerala, South of India
Paul Kronenberg is the co-founder and co-director of kanthari, an immersive training program that equips participants who have overcome adversity with the techniques, methods, and ideas needed to start up and run effective, relevant social projects all over the world.
Shoshana Akabas Welcomes Refugees in New York through Her Family-Match Program, New Neighbors Clothing Partnership
I want to make sure New York remains a haven for refugees,” says Akabas. “So many people in New York want to help their new neighbors but don’t know how. My initiative forges connections between New Yorkers that might not have otherwise met…
Spreading Magnificence
There are moments in life when our problems feel bigger than our wins. TPP grantees understand that the answer is not hoping the situation disappears, but to hold less faith in the problem and more appreciation in the communities that make life worth living for. This...
Seeing What Others Choose Not To See: Jim Rivett’s Legacy through The Canary Fund
This sentiment of seeing what others overlook—or choose to ignore—is important to Angilello. Last year, Angilello lost his husband, Jim Rivett. In a eulogy written for Rivett by a dear friend…
Existing Magnetism
TPP grantees generate change by utilizing the resources, knowledge and cultural traditions that already exist in communities around the world. They see the beauty in the land and talent within people that can be used to propel communities to new heights. Through...
Renewable Leadership
TPP grantees continuously demonstrate that life struggles can transform into ongoing progression when we utilize the healing powers of our planet, provide people with sustainable hygienic resources, and bring communities back to nature. From community gardens to...
Desire Johnson-Forte Brings the Spirit of Travel to Young Black Men in Oakland through #Passport2Freedom
For Desire Johnson-Forte, travel is the ultimate expression of self-liberation. Especially since, growing up in Oakland, CA, travel of any kind seemed like an unrealistic luxury.
Knowledge Is Power
Education can be taught and received through infinite mediums. TPP grantees unite and educate their communities through art, curated trainings and basic necessities that allow others to fully follow their goals. Whether it is through literature, documentaries or...
“This Project Is for Us All”: How The Pride Candles Project Is Changing the Lives of Sex Workers and LGBTQ Youth in Uganda
Five years ago, Fatumah found out she was HIV positive. She also found out she was again pregnant. Though she had little hope of ever having the opportunity to see her child grow, she continued to attend her prenatal check-ins at the hospital. She also continued her sex work, as she had no other means of supporting herself or her growing family.
Debbie Goncalves Dreams Big for Her Special Needs Actors in TA-DA Productions
“It brought chills to my body and tears to my eyes to know that this program worked for them then and worked for them now,” said Goncalves.
Boundless Opportunity
Having a solid community is one of the most vital assets to our livelihood and forward progression. Being surrounded by people who affirm our strengths, potential and advocate for our human rights can change the outcome of our life experiences. As a child, receiving...