Our Work Frequently Asked Questions
For Grantees
Wildseeds Grants
The Wildseeds Grants Program supports community-based, grassroots, and frontline organizations, as well as their networks and coalitions, with 501(c)(3) status (or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status).
We define this as a mission-driven organization that builds authentic connection with its constituents and demonstrates a commitment to leadership and engagement within the community as well as its governance and internal practices. For more information, review our Wildseeds Grants page.
While we’ve funded international organizations in the past, we don’t have the capacity to accommodate international applicants at this time. As our fund continues to grow, we hope to develop partnerships with more international funders and can revisit opening applications to international community-based organizations in the future.
- The Wildseeds Grants Program will open February 1, 2024
- Applications close March 15
- Our Grant Advisory Committee completes an extensive review by mid-May
- Announcements are made by end of May or early June
In addition to the Eligibility Criteria we list on the website, we look for the following criteria when evaluating each request:
- Does the project/initiatives directly affect change within food and agricultural systems (e.g. land sovereignty, food security, inclusive economy, water and soil stewardship, climate justice, labor organizing, sustainable/regenerative/reindigenized practices and healing traditions)?
- Does the organization operate from a deeply shared understanding of structural and institutional racism in the food and farm system and actively work to advance racial equity and justice?
- Is the work of the organization and/or project movement building?
- Does the proposal align with our Fund’s core values?
Our Wildseeds Grants range is $20,000 to $50,000 over a one-year term. The Fund is able to make a very limited number of multi-year commitments for projects requiring long term support. We cap all multi-year requests at a total of $75,000 over two years.
Indirect costs are allowed, but we recommend that they don’t exceed 15% of the total project budget.
The Wildseeds Grants program supports the following projects and activities, in no particular order of priority:
- Communications projects that build collective power and connection to and within the food and agricultural systems change movement
- Communications strategy planning
- Communications-based capacity development, e.g. training
- Implementing or upgrading communications infrastructure & tools
- Development of content or creative media and cultural organizing projects/initiatives
- Sourcing short-term communications staffing support or outside consulting
- Strategic narrative development, message framing, and integration
- Campaigns, movement building events, or experiences that use communications/media that build collective power and connection to and within the food and agricultural systems change movement
You can visit our Grantee Partners page to find additional project examples.
Yes, we do not resource the following projects:
- Academic research
- Capital or endowment campaigns
- Conferences
- Discretionary or emergency requests
- Litigation or legal expenses
- Marketing or branding of for-profit corporation products or services
Wildseeds 1-year grant recipients are asked to submit an Interim (6-month) Report as well as a Final Report upon completion of the 12-month grant term. 2-year grant recipients are asked to submit four reports (one Interim and one Full Year report, each year). We allow for a variety of reporting methods- calls or written. We request work-in-action photos and video when available.
Absolutely! However, before you do, keep in mind that the Wildseeds Grants program is highly competitive. Your organization should carefully review any provided feedback and our funds' updated criteria to ensure that you’re a strong fit for the program.
Capacity Grants
The Capacity Grants program is invite-only. We prioritize grassroots organizations with 501(c)(3) status or with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Capacity Grants are intended to provide additional support to organizations led by and serving marginalized communities—including Black, Indigenous, and people of color; farmers; food system workers; fisherfolk; and healers—impacted by powerful and privileged actors in food and farm systems.
Wildseeds Fund is a movement-led participatory grantmaking fund for investing in the work of leaders with a vision for bringing racial equity and economic justice to food and agricultural systems.
For Funders
Wildseeds Fund is a movement-led participatory grantmaking fund for investing in the work of leaders with a vision for bringing racial equity and economic justice to food and agricultural systems.
The field often overlooks the organizations we serve, and pouring resources into their fight for sustainable agriculture in their communities will help strengthen the ecosystem of organizers, activists, and advocates working to protect reindigenized and ecologically resilient agriculture.
Funders play a critical role in the progress of our movements. By committing to a plan to sustainably resource movement organizers, you are developing a strategy that will enable us all to win. This means being a movement partner, making long-term investments in developing organizers' ideas, communications channels, and organizing infrastructure.
We believe in the collective vision of our grantee partners. As members of the very communities that are the essential labor and talent of our food and agricultural systems, these grantees are equipped with first-hand knowledge and insights to build inclusive economic models and invest in community development projects. Wildseeds Fund approach to participatory grantmaking allows us to establish lasting connections rooted in trust and mutual respect within our community.
Our team helps each organization strengthen its communications infrastructure, learn from the Wildseeds Fund network of movement leaders, and supporting relationship building grounded in their vision and their community so that we can know how to best support them in every phase of their movement building. We do this by being relationship-based, providing technical assistance and communications network resources, so grantee partners feel supported long after the initial investment.
We support a range of narrative projects and training so that organizations can more effectively communicate their purpose and find partners in the field with aligned missions and agendas. While we believe that all of these groups are critical for just food and farm systems to thrive, we prioritize racial equity, and at least 75% of our resources go to leaders of color and the work they support.