Seed Grant

About this grant

The Seed Grant funds initiatives outside the USA that accelerate alternatives to industrial animal agriculture, create plant-rich food systems, and/or increase access to or awareness of nutritious plant-based foods. The grant is geared toward new or small-scale organizations, one-time projects, conference sponsorships, individuals without nonprofit status, or applicants that haven't received a grant from Thrive in the past. The program prioritizes organizations with budgets less than $500,000 USD and encourages proposals led by women, people of color, and other marginalized persons. Equity is described as the centerpiece of Thrive Philanthropy's giving approach.

Eligibility

Applicants must be based outside the United States and not be international chapters of US-based organizations. Proposals must accelerate alternatives to industrial animal agriculture, create plant-rich food systems, and/or increase access to or awareness of nutritious plant-based foods, and must align with Thrive Philanthropy's safespace policy. Applicants must demonstrate a positive reputation with stakeholders and community and contribute to Thrive Philanthropy's positive reputation. Applicants must not be for-profit companies. The funder is currently prioritizing organizations with budgets less than $500,000 USD. For Africa-based applicants, proposals are accepted by invitation only or by previous grantees. Ineligible applicants and projects include cellular agriculture work, initiatives that benefit or support animal exploitation, organizations providing food aid to military or police, for-profit companies including restaurants, food banks or meal distributions, farmed animal welfare campaigns, animal farming projects, projects using animal products, political parties or candidate endorsements, gardening projects not part of a larger factory farm demand reduction strategy, tuition or student research fees, and work within the United States or by international chapters of USA organizations.

How it's scored

The page does not specify evaluation criteria, scoring methodology, or panel composition. It only notes that while Thrive aims to fund many proposals, grants are limited and not all applicants will be awarded.

Key requirements

• ✓Initiative must focus on creating just, plant-based food systems
• ✓Project must reduce consumption or demand of animals, overcome industrial animal agriculture, or advance vegan advocacy
• ✓Budget cap of USD 5,000
• ✓Deadline information not provided; applicants should verify with funder

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Uganda Vegan Society

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Thrive Philanthropy offer?

Seed Grant offers up to $5,000.

Who can apply for Seed Grant?

Eligibility covers organisations in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and 16 more countries; nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, startup, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.