Thrive’s Strategy, Grantmaking Approach,
and History

Thrive’s CEO and Founder has nearly 20 years of global philanthropic experience with a deep focus on Global South regions. We have a team collective 60+ years in food systems work, and a pool 40+ expert advisors from 20+ countries to support with our due diligence and strategy. 

ON THIS PAGE:

Thrive Strategy | Grantmaking Approach | History

Thrive grantees, CEO, staff, and board
from 11 countries meet in USA.

THRIVE’S STRATEGY

Thrive Philanthropy’s strategy is straightforward.

By tapping into regional expertise and networks, we ensure grantmaking is directed as effectively as possible to improve food systems worldwide. Grantmaking is coupled with increasing the size and sophistication of regional movements through strategic movement-building and capacity-building catered to regional needs and cultures. Thus, by advancing regional movements and regional leadership, Thrive can reduce reliance on harmful industrialized animal farming and increase just, healthy, plant-based food systems worldwide.

Thrive’s CEO and Founder has nearly 20 years of global philanthropic experience with a focus on Global South regions and extensive living experience in Global South giving Thrive deep insight into global giving. We also have a team collective 60+ years in food systems work with staff from 4 continents, and a pool 40+ expert advisors from 20+ countries to support with our due diligence and strategy.


Our Global Grantmaking Expertise
Thrive’s CEO and Founder has nearly 20 years of global philanthropic experience with a deep focus on Global South regions. We have a team collective 60+ years in food systems work from 4 continents, and a pool 40+ expert advisors from 20+ countries to support with our due diligence and strategy.

What We Grant
Thrive Philanthropy grants initiatives that eliminate industrial animal agriculture, create just, plant-based food systems, reduce animal consumption, and advocate for nutritious, sustainable, and/or locally sourced vegan diets.

Where We Grant
Thrive Philanthropy currently grants about 80 countries in every continent except Antartica, and growing each quarter. Currently, we aren’t funding within the United States so we can focus on regions of the world that have historically had less access to funding. Click here to see our granted countries.

Grantmaking Philosophy
Thrive Philanthropy is committed to an equitable, decolonization, Trust-Based Philanthropy approach to grantmaking. We actively work to dismantle barriers to funding and grantee/grantor power imbalances.

Thrive Philanthropy is also committed to uplifting regional expertise and as such, utilizes a formal network of Regional Funding Steering Committees and a Global Expert Advisory Committee to support with regional grant decision-making as needed.

Grantmaking Criteria
Thrive Philanthropy utilizes multiple grantmaking criteria during the selection process. A few significant selection criteria include: 1) cost-effectiveness, 2)strength in strategy, 3) impact potential, 4)leadership strength, 5)regions with underfunded movements, and 6) additional criteria.

If you’d like to learn more about our grantmaking approach, we invite you to contact us at info@thrivephilanthropy.org

GRANTMAKING APPROACH

HISTORY

Thrive’s CEO and Founder has nearly 20 years of global philanthropic experience and extensive living experience in India and Nepal, and we have a team collective 60+ years in food systems work, and a pool of over 40 expert advisors from 20+ countries to support with our due diligence and strategy.

2018-2023
Prior to launching Thrive Philanthropy, Thrive’s Founder and CEO and founding team worked together at a previous organization and oversaw the precursor to Thrive’s grantee portfolio and Thrive Africa Accelerator.


2022
Thrive Philanthropy is officially incorporated in the United States with limited philanthropic consultation.


2023
Thrive Philanthropy formally launches by transitioning the team, grantee portfolio, and Thrive Africa Accelerator from the previous organization to Thrive. Within its first six months, Thrive expands the plant-based movement in 1 out of every 3 of the world’s countries and expands the plant-based movement in 40% of African countries. See the 2023 Annual Report here and impact page here.


2024
Thrive Philanthropy continues to expand and by the end of year 2, Thrive is amplifying the plant-based movement in 1 out of every 2 of the world’s countries and expanding the plant-based movement in 2/3 African countries, and growing.

Thrive also onboards a 15-member international Board of Directors, and LATAM, Asia, and Africa Funding Steering Committees, formalizes its Thrive Food Systems Pooled Grantmaking Fund, begins its Asia movement-building work, and expands its 2 flagship Africa movement-building projects by 350% and 500% since year 1. See the 2024 Annual Report here and impact page here.

DONOR TESTIMONIALS

  • “Thrive Philanthropy’s experience with international food systems grantmaking, particularly within the Global South, has been instrumental in advancing our giving. We’re particularly drawn to Thrive for their expansive worldwide network of regional experts and potential grantees, their dedication to strengthening grantee professional development, and their extensive initiatives to expand the plant-based movement across Africa. We’ve worked with Thrive Philanthropy and its CEO for multiple years and this is a testament to the quality and trustworthiness of her leadership. They took the time to develop an understanding of our specific needs and provided tailored and efficient support that has fostered a strong, longstanding partnership.”

    — Meghan, Partner & Director, Greenbaum Foundation

  • “I am proud to be a donor and supporter of Thrive – a truly visionary organization that holds a unique and invaluable place in advancing food justice worldwide. Thrive provides critical supports small, grassroots organizations that advocate for compassionate and culturally appropriate alternatives to industrialized animal agriculture. Thrive’s relationships with grantees and donors are rooted in trust, a long-term vision of change, and belief in the power of the global majority to move the world towards plant-based solutions. As an individual donor, it can be difficult to know where to best direct resources aimed at ending factory farming; the needs are overwhelming and the movement is often under-resourced and overlooked by traditional philanthropy. Thrive’s focus on supporting the work that is already happening, investing in relationships and ongoing partnerships, and implementing a global approach to food justice is inspiring and yields tangible results. I have no doubt that my contribution to Thrive directly benefits the people and organizations that provide viable alternatives to factory farming."

    — Sonya Salanti, Monthly Donor

  • "We contribute to the Thrive Food Systems Pooled Fund and support Thrive's operations because we are confident that with Thrive's extensive network and experience, our foundation's funding is reaching the most impactful grassroots vegan advocates, particularly in Global South countries. We are impressed by Thrive's track record in expanding the emerging vegan movement across Africa and we believe that the coaching support offered to grantees helps grantees reach success, giving us even more confidence that our funding is making a lasting impact. We recommend Thrive Philanthropy for anyone aiming to have a global impact in plant-based food systems."

    — Director at Anonymous Foundation

  • “As a long-time partner and founding board director of Thrive Philanthropy, I'm impressed by their conscientious approach and deep understanding of impactful philanthropy, especially in Africa, Asia, and the Global South more generally. Thrive also goes beyond "just" funding, with active campaigns such as Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week that reinforce and create strong networks on the ground with local organizations. This and other types of grassroots movement-building provide both immediate benefits and long-term, sustainable change in some of the world's most underserved areas with great potential and high returns.”

    — Dawn Moncrief, President, A Well-Fed World

  • "Transformation of food systems and acceleration of alternatives to animal-based agriculture are vital strategies for ending systemic animal suffering and exploitation. We support Thrive Philanthropy and proudly share their vision and belief in trust-based philanthropy to advance the global animal protection movement."

    — Kate Griggs, Manager, Voiceless Foundation

DONATE TO THRIVE

Join us in creating just, plant-based food systems.

Your support to Thrive Philanthropy creates a world with nutritious, sustainable, plant-based food systems, and a world where philanthropy is equitable, effective, and just.