We believe in you.
The Pollination Project exists to uplift grassroots changemakers whose work helps build a kinder, more compassionate world. We don’t have narrowly defined criteria for projects we fund, preferring to be led by our community and applicants like you. So long as your work fits our general guidelines, our team will consider any effort that moves us towards a better world. Funding decisions are made on a rolling basis by a team of volunteer grant advisors, most of whom have previously received seed funding from The Pollination Project.
We are honored to learn about your project and vision. We hope this is the beginning of a meaningful relationship with you, one that starts with seed funding but expands as you connect and engage with our global community of 6,000+ changemakers.
How it works
Three steps from idea to funded
We fund individuals, informally organized groups and organizations, and formally registered or incorporated not for profit organizations based anywhere in the world. Our process is straightforward. Read the guidelines, complete your application online, and our volunteer advisors will do the rest.
Step 1
Check your eligibility
Review our guidelines to confirm your project qualifies before you invest time in the application.
Step 2
Submit your application
Complete our online form — no emailed submissions accepted. International applicants must also provide a referee contact.
Step 3
Await a decision
Applications received before month-end are reviewed the following month. You’ll hear back within 6–12 weeks.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a brief closure at year-end. We accept applications in English only.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
We fund individuals, informally organized groups, and early-stage nonprofits based anywhere in the world — so long as the work is volunteer-led and serves charitable purposes, not personal gain.
We fund projects that are…
Early-stage
Total project budget under $10,000; organizational budget under $50,000
Volunteer-led
No paid staff (occasional professional services are allowed)
Underway
Some early work or planning has already started
Open to all
No discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age, or faith
Non-proselytizing
Beneficiaries are never required to participate in faith-based practices
First-time applicants
No prior TPP seed grant received by you, your group, or your organization
Able to receive funds
Via wire transfer or PayPal in US dollars
We do not fund…
Projects promoting or advocating for animal agriculture in any form
Events at which animal products will be served
Beekeeping projects that produce honey for sale or consumption
Academic coursework or research without a concrete plan for real-world change
Political campaigns, parties, or elections
Payments to the grantee or their family for time or services
Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, single-use plastics, or non-recycled paper
Pass-through donations to unaffiliated projects
Food banks and similar groups that distribute donated food containing animal products may still apply — we can fund infrastructure costs like shelving. We cannot pay for animal products directly or for any activity that promotes their consumption.
Grant decisions
What our advisors look for
Our team of volunteer grant advisors — most of them former TPP grantees themselves — evaluate each proposal based on their own experience working in similar geographies or issue areas. Here’s what matters most.
Personal connection
Your lived connection to the problem and the community you want to serve
Impact potential
The project’s capacity to create real change and a meaningful ripple effect
Community roots
Evidence of support from the community the project is designed to benefit
Resourcefulness
A realistic budget that demonstrates value and creative use of non-financial resources
Growth potential
A clear path for how seed funding will move the project forward
Clarity and vision
A well-articulated proposal that conveys purpose, creativity, and commitment
Your application must include a referee — someone who knows you and your work well. We’ll only contact them if your application reaches the final review stage. No formal letter is required; a simple online reference form is all we need.
Beyond the grant
What you gain by joining our community
Funding is just the beginning. As a TPP grantee, you become part of a global network of over 6,000+ changemakers committed to building a kinder, more compassionate world.
Global network access
Capacity-building support and connections with changemakers across 120 countries
Visibility and storytelling
Opportunities to have your work featured in articles, social media, and video
Future funding opportunities
Eligibility for additional one-time grants TPP may offer existing grantees
Donor introductions
Support in connecting with other funders after your initial grant report is submitted
FAQ
Still have questions?
Here are the questions we hear most often.
Can I or my group/organization receive more than one seed grant from TPP?
No. Because our goal is to support as many grassroots changemakers as possible, we restrict the number of seed funding awards that any person, group, or project can receive. We no longer award multiple seed grants to any person or group even if the proposed work is completely distinct from their previously funded project.
If someone else in my group or organization has been funded by TPP for a project, can I or another member of that group or organization also request funding for the same project or for another project that we are working on together?
No. Even if you were not the original applicant for a previously funded project, if the work you seek funding for is operated by that same group you should not apply. This is the case whether it is for the same project as that which was originally funded OR if the work is different from the previous project.
Is it appropriate for my co-leader, a volunteer, or another member of my group to request funding from TPP for different parts of the same project at the same time?
No. We can only accept a single application for any work, even if the applicants are different people. If a previous application was declined by TPP, then you or someone else may reapply. Still, you must tell us that a previous application was submitted for this work.
My proposal was not funded by TPP. Can I apply for funding more than once?
Yes. Before reapplying, please be sure to check your project against our criteria and ensure your proposal is as detailed and specific as possible.
My project involves distributing food that contains animal products (e.g. a food bank), can I apply for a TPP grant so long as the grant does not pay for animal products?
Yes. We believe animal agriculture is cruel and environmentally destructive. However, we recognize that food banks and other groups are reliant on donations and can’t always choose the items they are able to distribute. We can pay for infrastructure costs such as shelving in projects of this kind.
We cannot pay directly for animal products, any activity which promotes the consumption of animal products, for projects focused on health and nutrition which include recommendations to consume animal products, or for any event at which animal products will be served.
Will I have to pay taxes on the grant money?
We cannot advise on your personal tax situation, but as long as grant money is used for qualified project purposes and no funds are used to pay the grantee or any member of a grantee’s family, we will not issue a 1099 or report grant income to the IRS.
If you are a U.S. based grantee and you do not submit receipts and reporting for your grant, we are required to issue a 1099 form and report your grant as taxable income to the IRS.
What is expected of me if I receive a grant?
If your project is selected for funding, you agree to:
- Follow through with the project as you have laid it out to the best of your ability. Submit reporting which includes what you achieved, what you learned and how you spend the grant funds. Go to Reporting Requirements for details on what to include.
- Take photos or videos showcasing your project in action, and include these photos and videos in your project report.
- Track your expenses and submit all receipts with your final report to show how you spent the grant funds.
- Allow your project to be highlighted, publicized and shared by The Pollination Project.
- Make your best effort to spend the money as you proposed. Follow the restrictions listed in your contract when spending the funds, and contact us before making any changes.
If you are a U.S. based grantee and you do not submit receipts and reporting for your grant, we are required to issue a 1099 form and report your grant as taxable income to the IRS.
When is the grant application due and how long before I get a response?
We welcome applications on a rolling basis. Applications which are received in full before the final day of the month will be reviewed by our team during the following month and decisions will be shared with all applicants at the end of that month or early the next. For instance, if you submitted an application in full at any point in January, our team would review your application during the month of February and you would receive our grant decisions at the end of February/the first days of March.