The Pollination Project Offers Up to US$500 for Volunteer-Led Community Initiatives
The Pollination Project offers General Seed Grants of up to US$500 to help early-stage community initiatives move forward. Its official programme overview describes funding for individuals and grassroots groups worldwide. The opportunity is suitable for a modest, concrete next step rather than a large organisational budget.
Eligibility and important limits
Projects must be volunteer-led and charitable, with a total project budget below US$10,000 and an organisational budget below US$50,000. Some planning or initial activity must already have begun. Applicants must not previously have received a TPP seed grant, and they must be able to receive US-dollar funding.
Read the exclusions carefully. They include paid staff, payments to applicants or family members, political campaigns, and specified animal-agriculture and environmentally harmful activities. A worthwhile idea can still fall outside this funder’s scope.
How to apply
Use the online application in English and provide a referee contact. Emailed applications are not accepted. The official application page explains the complete criteria and review process.
Deadline and review timing
Applications are rolling, with a brief year-end closure. Submissions received before month-end are reviewed the following month; the stated response window is six to twelve weeks. Details were checked on 14 October 2026.
Prepare a realistic request
Start with the specific change the seed grant would enable. A focused request might identify the materials, activity or practical barrier the funding would address, together with a short explanation of who benefits. Make sure the budget and proposed activities tell the same story.
Before submitting, ask your referee whether they are willing and able to respond. Check each expense against the programme’s exclusions rather than assuming that a small amount will be accepted automatically. These are preparation suggestions; funding decisions remain with the provider. Review the guidelines and apply through The Pollination Project.
