THE POLLINATION PROJECT FOUNDATION

Think $1000 can't make a difference?

aka The Pollination Project   |   Berkeley, CA   |  https://thepollinationproject.org/

Mission

The Pollination Project believes in the power of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We make $1000 seed grants to individual change-makers every day of the year.

Ruling year info

2012

Board Chair

Mr. Ariel Nessel

Main address

1569 Solano Ave., #643

Berkeley, CA 94707 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

46-0675457

NTEE code info

Public Foundations (T30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Many small groups of people are doing their best to improve the world. We aim to support them with guidance and small grants.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Seed Grants

We make $1000 seed grants to individual changemakers all over the world, helping them launch and expand grassroots social change projects.

Population(s) Served

We provide educational events, writing and presentations on the topic of innovations in philanthropy.

Population(s) Served

We provide an assortment of tools, resources, coaching, training, p/r and more to support our grantees in growing their leadership and building their project, far beyond what our seed grant of $1000 provides.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Total number of grants awarded

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Seed Grants

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of countries where we have given grants.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Seed Grants

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Total dollar amount of grants awarded

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Seed Grants

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Average grant amount

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Seed Grants

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of Applications Received

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Seed Grants

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

1) To provide impactful, meaningful seed funding and moral support to a minimum of 365 start up social change projects each year.
2) To support grantees in taking their work to its next level of impact.
3) To transform the conversation around giving, generosity and philanthropy from one where power is centralized among those with the money; to one of innovation, shared power, respect for all applicants, and authentic partnerships among grantees and funders.

1) An open, encouraging and friendly application process that welcomes and respects first time grant seekers.
2) A diverse grantee-driven grantmaking decision process where grantees and other true issue area experts make the decisions around who gets funded. (Not executives who are out of touch with what is happening on the ground)
3) Taking risks and funding people early, before anyone else has!
4) Sharing our story widely and openly with other philanthropic institutions and groups.
5) Providing cross pollination opportunities among and between grantees and funders.

We have an exceptional international network of organizational partners, grantees, ambassadors and advisors who identify much needed but overlooked projects that aren't on the radar of institutionalized philanthropy.

We are experts in "pushing power to the edges" of our network, meaning we find ways to share power among and between people, including our grantees, not just a small group of board members who make the decisions that matter most.

We are experts in funding individuals.

As of summer, 2015 we will have made 1000 seed grants and distributed nearly $100K in second tier funding (grants of up to $5K each) to exceptional projects.

We have hosted in 10 in person conversations among donors and other givers as a means of increasing generosity in the world. We produced and hosted a virtual challenge around increasing "true wealth" in the world (nonmonetary forms of wealth).

We have identified nearly 50 high level, superstar grantees who have won international awards and received international media attention.

We have handled over 4,000 grant applications in a personal, considerate and encouraging manner, regardless of whether we funded a project.

Financials

THE POLLINATION PROJECT FOUNDATION
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

THE POLLINATION PROJECT FOUNDATION

Board of directors
as of 06/26/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ariel Nessel

Peggy Hilden

Stephanie Klempner

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes