Up to $500 for Grassroots Community & Social Impact Projects – The Pollination Project

The Pollination Project (TPP) provides up to USD $500 in seed grant funding to individuals, volunteer-led community groups and early-stage nonprofit organisations developing projects that create a more compassionate, sustainable and equitable world.

The programme supports small, community-driven initiatives that may struggle to access traditional grant funding, helping changemakers turn their ideas into practical action.

Here's what you can expect:

• Up to $500 in seed grant funding

• Applications accepted worldwide, including the UK

• Rolling applications throughout most of the year

• Support for grassroots and early-stage community initiatives

• Funding for practical, charitable activities

• A straightforward online application process

• Access to a global community of more than 6,000 changemakers

• Opportunities for networking and capacity-building support

• Potential access to future funding opportunities and donor introductions

What projects can be funded?

The Pollination Project considers a broad range of community-led initiatives, including:

• Community Development: Improving local services and supporting underserved communities

• Education: Creating opportunities for learning, skills development and educational access

• Environmental Protection: Supporting conservation, sustainability and climate resilience

• Animal Welfare: Protecting animals and promoting compassionate treatment

• Social Justice: Tackling inequality and supporting human rights

• Women & Girls: Empowering women and girls through community initiatives

• Health & Wellbeing: Supporting practical activities that improve community wellbeing

• Arts & Creativity: Using creative activities to strengthen communities and encourage positive change

• Economic Empowerment: Helping disadvantaged individuals develop skills and opportunities

Projects must serve charitable purposes and demonstrate meaningful benefits for their communities.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Individuals with grassroots project ideas

• Informal community groups

• Volunteer-led initiatives

• Early-stage nonprofit organisations

• Registered charities

• Community organisations based anywhere in the world

Important eligibility requirements:

Applicants must:

• Have a total project budget below $10,000

• Have an annual organisational budget below $50,000, where applicable

• Operate without paid staff, although occasional professional services are permitted

• Have already undertaken some planning or initial project activities

• Demonstrate that the project serves charitable purposes rather than personal financial gain

• Be applying for their first Pollination Project seed grant

• Be able to receive funding in US dollars through an eligible payment method

• Submit their application in English

What cannot be funded?

The programme does not support:

• Salaries or payments to applicants or their family members

• Political campaigns or election activities

• Projects promoting animal agriculture

• Events serving animal products

• Beekeeping projects producing honey for sale or consumption

• Academic research without a practical plan for real-world change

• Projects involving discrimination or compulsory religious participation

• Synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers and certain single-use materials

• Donations passed directly to unrelated organisations

How does the application process work?

Stage 1 – Check Eligibility

Applicants review the funding guidelines to confirm that their project qualifies.

Stage 2 – Submit an Application

Complete the online application explaining the project's purpose, activities, budget and expected community impact.

Applicants must provide details of a referee who knows their work.

Stage 3 – Application Review

Applications submitted before the end of a month are normally reviewed during the following month.

Funding decisions are typically communicated within 6–12 weeks.

Stage 4 – Project Delivery

Successful applicants deliver their proposed activities and provide reporting on how the grant was used and what the project achieved.

Funding: Up to USD $500 per project

Deadline: Rolling applications – no fixed closing date