Big Green is a nonprofit organization focused on transforming the food system in the United States through community-led and strategic grantmaking. It aims to empower grassroots nonprofits that use gardening, farming, and agriculture to improve local health outcomes and food accessibility. At the heart of Big Green’s philanthropic mission is the belief that those working directly within communities understand where resources are most needed. Their innovative approach emphasizes local control and community-driven decision-making, particularly through the Big Green DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).

The Big Green DAO, launched in 2021, is a pioneering philanthropic model that utilizes both on-chain and off-chain participation to facilitate decentralized, nonprofit-led grantmaking. It combines blockchain technology with democratic governance to support nonprofit organizations growing food across the United States. The DAO structure enables grantees and donors to collaborate equally in voting processes that determine funding recipients. Through this approach, Big Green aims to disrupt traditional power dynamics in philanthropy and create a more equitable funding landscape.

Funding is awarded periodically through a consensus-based process driven by DAO members. Grants are unrestricted and come with Community membership and a governance token that enables recipients to participate in future funding cycles. Grantees can choose to burn their token after a year and reapply for funding or retain their membership without reapplying. This model fosters ongoing peer-to-peer learning, professional development, and collaborative support among participating organizations. Since its inception, Big Green DAO has distributed $3.5 million in grants to 152 organizations nationwide.

The grant program supports a wide range of projects tied to gardening and food-growing efforts in local communities, including school gardens. One such initiative is Jumpstart, a seasonal, regional mini-grant program that offers flexible funding to school garden programs to help expand their reach and impact. Jumpstart is tailored to allow schools the freedom to decide how best to invest in their garden programs and increase youth engagement in food growing.

Eligibility for Big Green DAO grants is focused on nonprofit organizations that are working to grow food in their communities. While specific eligibility criteria and deadlines may vary by grant round, organizations interested in participating are encouraged to submit an inquiry. Not all inquiries receive responses, but those selected for engagement will be contacted directly by Big Green. Prospective applicants should subscribe to the Big Green mailing list to stay informed about open grant cycles, as no fixed application deadlines or opening dates are currently listed.

Big Green does not list specific contact names, emails, or phone numbers for grant inquiries on its website. Instead, it encourages interested organizations to stay connected via its newsletter for updates about grant availability. The DAO’s governance committee includes grassroots leaders from across the country, who collectively guide funding priorities and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission of equitable food access and community empowerment.