The Pollination Project is accepting applications from grassroots changemakers, individuals, informal groups, and nonprofit organisations seeking seed funding for early-stage projects that create positive social or environmental change.
The global grant programme provides one-time seed funding of up to US$500 to support practical, community-led projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with completed applications submitted before the end of a month reviewed during the following month.
About The Pollination Project Seed Grant
The Pollination Project supports grassroots changemakers working to build what it describes as a kinder and more compassionate world. Rather than limiting funding to specific sectors, the programme considers a broad range of projects that align with its values and demonstrate potential to create meaningful change.
The programme is particularly suited to early-stage initiatives that have already started some level of work and need modest seed funding to move forward.
What Selected Applicants Receive
Successful applicants receive:
- Seed funding of up to US$500 for eligible project costs.
- Access to a global community of more than 6,000 changemakers.
- Capacity-building support and opportunities to connect with other grassroots leaders.
- Opportunities for funded projects to be featured through The Pollination Project’s media and social channels.
- Potential opportunities to connect with other funders and donors after completing initial grant reporting.
To be considered, applicants should meet the programme’s core guidelines:
- The organisation or group should have an annual budget of less than US$50,000.
- The total cost of the proposed project should be less than US$10,000.
- The project should already have some level of activity or development.
- The group or organisation must not have paid staff.
- The project should not be designed to generate personal profit.
- Applicants must not have previously received a Pollination Project seed grant.
- The project must comply with The Pollination Project’s requirements on equality, inclusion, religious freedom and legal compliance.
- Applicants must be able to receive a wire transfer or PayPal payment in US dollars.
How Applications Are Assessed
The Pollination Project’s volunteer grant advisors assess applications based partly on their own experience in the relevant geographic or issue area.
They consider:
- The potential impact of the project.
- How meaningfully the seed funding will help move the project forward.
- The applicant’s ability to address any remaining funding gap.
- The applicant’s connection to the community they seek to serve.
- Efforts already made to mobilise non-financial resources, including volunteers and in-kind support.
Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Applications completed before the final day of a month are reviewed during the following month, with decisions generally shared at the end of that review month or the beginning of the next month.
For international applicants, the application is considered complete once the required reference has also been submitted.
