Thrive Philanthropy Seed Grant

The Thrive Philanthropy Seed Grant gives up to US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh) to new or small organisations, one-time projects and individuals working outside the United States to end factory farming and grow plant-based food systems. Thrive Philanthropy is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit. The next deadline is 1 December 2026 at 11:59 pm GMT (5:29 am IST on 2 December), and there are four deadlines a year.

This is a grant for non-profit-style work, not for businesses. For-profit companies, including restaurants, cannot apply. Applicants from any country except the USA are accepted, which includes India, and the page is available in Hindi. Applicants based in Africa need an invitation or a previous Thrive grant.

What the program offers

The Seed Grant is worth up to US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh), which Thrive describes as a first step for newer groups. Thrive says it prioritises new or small-scale organisations, one-time projects, conference sponsorships, individuals without non-profit status, and applicants who have not previously received a Thrive grant. The funds support initiatives that speed up alternatives to industrial animal agriculture, create plant-rich food systems, or increase access to or awareness of nutritious plant-based foods. The source does not describe mentoring or other non-cash support attached to this particular grant, although Thrive runs separate accelerators and workshops.

Who can apply

Applicants must be outside the United States and must not be an international chapter of a US-based organisation. The project must fit Thrive's Safespace Policy, and the applicant must have a consistently positive reputation with its stakeholders and community. Thrive is currently prioritising organisations with a budget under US$500,000 and encourages proposals led by women, people of color and other marginalised people. Organisations typically receive only one grant per year.

Not funded are for-profit companies (including restaurants and other businesses), food banks, food giveaways and hunger relief, farmed animal welfare campaigns, animal farming or other animal use, projects using animal products such as animal-based food or leather, cellular agriculture, initiatives that benefit or are neutral toward the exploitation of animals, food aid to the military or police, political parties or candidate endorsements, tuition, student research or university fees, and gardening that is not part of a larger strategy to reduce demand for factory farming.

For an Indian applicant, this suits a small non-profit, community group, campaign or individual working on plant-based food access, awareness or alternatives in India. It does not suit a food-tech startup, a restaurant or any other for-profit business, even if its product is plant-based. Because a founder cannot apply as a company, a practical tip is to check whether the project can be run through a non-profit before you spend time on a proposal.

How to apply

Proposals must be submitted through Thrive's online application (thrive.smapply.io). Emailed proposals are not accepted. Read the eligibility and ineligible-project list on the grant page first, then submit before 11:59 pm GMT on the next quarterly deadline: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September or 1 December. The source does not list the application questions or required documents, so open the online application to see them. A practical tip: for a December deadline, submit a day early to avoid problems with the time difference.

How applications are judged and what happens next

Thrive responds within about eight weeks of each deadline. Grants are limited, and not every eligible applicant will be funded. The source does not publish scoring criteria beyond the eligibility rules and priorities above, nor does it say who reviews proposals.

About Thrive Philanthropy

Thrive Philanthropy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that funds work outside the United States. It says equity is the centerpiece of its giving. Besides grants, it runs programs for Africa, Asia and Latin America, including accelerators, and offers fiscal sponsorship, workshops and fundraising and management support for the movement.

Things to check before you apply

• Money is quoted in US dollars. The source does not say how grants are paid, so ask what bank details are needed. Indian recipients of foreign funds should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
• The source does not state an application fee.
• Africa-based applicants without an invitation or a previous grant are asked not to submit.
• A larger Thrive Grant exists for established organisations, so pick the grant that fits your size and track record.