Big Green DAO Grants

The Big Green Community Grants program, administered through the Big Green DAO, is a unique philanthropic initiative that democratizes the process of funding grassroots nonprofit organizations dedicated to growing food. Founded by Big Green, a nonprofit committed to transforming food systems in the United States, this grantmaking DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) represents a pioneering model that merges blockchain principles with community-led decision-making. Launched in 2021, the Big Green DAO is the world’s first nonprofit-led philanthropic DAO. It operates under the legal structure of Big Green’s 501(c)(3) and is supported by a transparent governance model, involving both donors and grantees who collectively determine funding allocations through a voting process. The core purpose of the Big Green DAO grants is to support nonprofits that grow food and build sustainable, community-based food systems. It seeks to empower those working on the frontlines of food justice and urban agriculture by allocating resources based on community consensus rather than top-down decisions. Eligible applicants include nonprofits that are actively engaged in food-growing initiatives, whether through school gardens, urban farms, or other local agricultural programs. The funding is unrestricted, allowing grantees the flexibility to use the grant in ways that best meet their operational and programmatic needs. A distinctive feature of the Big Green DAO model is its voting process. Each grant cycle is governed by community members who participate directly in decisions about eligibility, funding distribution, and grantee selection. For Grants Round 10 (GR10), voting opens on November 17, 2025, and closes on November 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. During this window, members can distribute 100 Seed Credits among applicants they wish to support. This model ensures that decisions are community-driven and reflective of shared values and priorities. Grantees not only receive funding but also join the community as members, gaining the ability to vote in future rounds and access to educational and capacity-building resources. The application process is intentionally streamlined to reduce barriers for nonprofits. Applicants must complete a brief application when the grant cycle opens. Although the application itself is concise, the impact is substantial: all applicants, regardless of whether they receive funding, are granted access to resources and become eligible for future engagement with the DAO. The process prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for smaller organizations that may lack the infrastructure to manage complex application requirements. Successful applicants are notified by December 5, 2025. Onboarding for new grantees includes optional webinars held on December 9 and December 11, 2025, to ensure they are prepared to engage with the community and leverage available resources. There is no indication of required pre-application steps like LOIs or concept papers. Grant funds are awarded without restrictions, and all grantees receive membership tokens, which enable ongoing participation in DAO governance, including future voting cycles. The Big Green DAO’s model of community-led philanthropy challenges traditional grantmaking structures by trusting those closest to the issues to direct funding where it is most needed. It is an evolving platform that integrates decentralized technology with grassroots action, offering an inclusive and scalable approach to grantmaking in the food and agriculture sectors. Although individual grant amounts and program totals are not disclosed in the public-facing materials, the DAO has awarded $4.15 million to 171 organizations since 2021, signaling both significant reach and robust community support.

Interested applicants must use the inquiry form or subscribe to the mailing list for updates.