Browse our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for answers to the most common inquiries we receive about our grant programs and VegFund. Visit our Grant Guidelines for details on grant application and funding policies.
If your question is not listed, please send it to us via our Contact form.
Grant FAQ
I have this idea for a project, event, or form of vegan outreach/activism. Do I qualify for a grant?
Step 1: Before you do anything else, please review the different grant programs on our website.
Step 2: Read through each of the descriptions and browse the Activist Stories to determine which area best covers your project.
Step 3: Then, apply for a grant using that program’s application.
If you’ve taken these steps, but you’re still not certain whether your project is eligible for a grant, then review our Grant Guidelines to see if your project meets these criteria. If so, choose the program that you think most closely relates to your project and take the steps to submit an application.
If you’ve tried all of the above, and you’re still not certain whether your project qualifies for a grant from VegFund, then you can reach out to our grants team at grants@vegfund.org, or submit a question using our contact form.
Do I have to be vegan or plant-based to receive a grant from VegFund?
The simple answer is "yes." We may make exceptions for non-vegan individuals hosting VegFund-approved film screenings or non-vegans partnering with vegans to host an event that aims to reach a mostly non-vegan audience.
In addition to our mission of spreading information about veganism, one of VegFund’s primary goals is to support vegan activists in their outreach. As a result, we require that every project we fund has at least one vegan organizer who can act as a “vegan ambassador” on behalf of other vegans.
Does VegFund provide grants anywhere in the world?
Yes! VegFund supports grantees in 76 countries around the world. Due to U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements, requests from outside of the United States may take longer to review. In most cases, VegFund requires that non-U.S.-based grantees receive payment via PayPal. Please establish a PayPal account before you apply for a grant.
How much time does it take to get my grant approved?
Grant review time may vary based on the size of the grant request and the grant category you're applying for.
VegFund accepts Community Event grant applications on a rolling basis, and review typically takes one month. Applicants may wish to apply further in advance in order to receive a funding decision with sufficient time before their event date, especially if the outcome of their application will affect event planning.
Special Project and Online Campaign Grants are accepted and viewed on a quarterly basis. Please review the appropriate schedule for your grant type:
Does VegFund purchase the food, serving supplies, and literature?
No. Grantees are responsible for purchasing these items after their grant request is approved. Keep all receipts and submit these along with your final reimbursement report following the project or grant activity.
What sorts of projects has VegFund supported in the past?
A list of activities VegFund will support or has supported:
- Billboards
- Conferences
- Food sampling costs
- Film license fees for public screenings
- Humane education curriculum development
- Local guides to veganism
- Mentored challenges
- Online campaigns
- Paid-per-view video outreach equipment and incentives
- Panel discussions
- Pledge campaigns
- Research
- Social media ad promotion
- Venue rental
- Vegan festivals, “vegfests,” or similar events
- Vegan starter kits
What items does VegFund not reimburse?
VegFund reserves the right to withhold reimbursement for the following items: non-vegan foods, food or ingredients that are not readily available for purchase in your area, water or other beverages that are vegan by default, gratuities, travel expenses, food for volunteers, or events that take place in private homes. With some exceptions, VegFund also does not fund full meals for events or event attendees. We do not reimburse for wages for grants that are awarded to individuals, with some exceptions for contracted services.
Should I apply as an individual or as a company?
Unless you are a registered nonprofit with the ability to receive payment under the name of your organization, you should apply as an individual. In previous years, VegFund had allowed non-registered groups to apply as organizations, but our requirements have since changed.
How does VegFund distribute payment to grantees?
The majority of our grants are disbursed as reimbursements after the project or event takes place. For details, see the Payment Guidelines section under Grant Guidelines.
All grant payments are made electronically. Domestic grantees (with payment accounts based in the U.S.) will receive payment through Bill.com, a third-party ePayment system that deposits funds directly into your bank account. Non-domestic grantees (with payment accounts based outside the United States.) will receive payment through PayPal.com or American Express FX International Payments.
Do I need to provide my social security number to receive a grant payment?
Yes, grantees based in the United States are required to provide their Social Security number (SSN) in order to receive payment. This information is not used to report income to the IRS, nor is it shared with anyone beyond the ePayment processor that VegFund's bank partners with. The sole use of the SSN is to verify the identity of the bank account holder.
How much money should I ask for?
We’re asked this question frequently, and there’s no set answer. Make a case for your project, and the grants team will review it and ask questions if they need clarification.
- For food samplings and PPV street outreach, VegFund will typically fund up to $1 per individual reached.
- For film screenings, VegFund will fund up to $250 for a screening license, and we may support other expenses such as food samples, literature, and venue fees within reason.
- For mentored campaigns and pledges, VegFund will typically fund up to $20 per participant.
There is no maximum amount or limit to the amount you may request. However, due to the number of grant requests we receive, VegFund may not fund your full grant request.
Is there a limit on the number of grants I may apply for in a year?
No, at this time there is no limit. Applicants may apply for as many grants as they wish in a given year.
What happens if my grant is approved but I am not able to complete the project?
We understand that not every project goes as planned, especially when so many of our grantees are pursuing their activism on their own volunteer-based time. If you are not able to carry out your grant activity, or if your project has been delayed or postponed, contact VegFund at grants@vegfund.org to let us know. Reference your grant ID number (which begins with two letters followed by numbers), and simply explain what’s going on. Depending on your situation, we may cancel the grant, or we may change its due date.
I received a grant. How should I promote/thank VegFund?
In the interest of informing the veg-interested public of the availability of grant-funding through VegFund, we ask that you include us in your messaging or promotions through linked content and include the VegFund logo with a link to our website (https://vegfund.org) and/or tags. You can find all of the relevant information on this page: Crediting VegFund.
Which veg pledges do you recommend?
Please refer to our list of recommended veg pledges in the Resources section.
My event will have a large number of non-English speaking attendees. Do you have any suggested resources?
We have a wealth of information in other languages from international resources. See here!
What is the average grant amount you generally approve?
Our grant sizes vary significantly based on the type of project and the number of people reached.
Can I apply to cover the expense of a festival event booth to talk about activism and distribute literature?
We may cover expenses related to such a project if you are an experienced activist with a significant level of knowledge in your chosen topic. However, we would need to know more about who the event is targeting and what kind of literature you would be distributing.
What social media accounts and hashtags should I use for VegFund?
Please follow VegFund on your preferred platform — or all! We use "vegfund" as our social media handle.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vegfund
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegfund
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vegfund
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vegfund
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/vegfund
- #VegFund – for general topics
- #VegFundMe – for posts featuring your events, activities, and projects with funding from VegFund
- #VegFundLearn – for resources, webinars, activism tips, and other training related posts
For us to see your publications and pictures, it's best if you tag @vegfund. We would also be thrilled if you use our branded hashtags:
Do you fund technical projects?
VegFund does not provide operational funding for websites or app development.
Do you cover marketing expenses?
Yes, VegFund will consider covering marketing expenses aimed at increasing the audience for a given project.
What if my grant application isn’t approved?
VegFund receives hundreds of submissions each month, and due to limits in funding resources, we are not able to fund every project. We invite you to review these alternative funding resources that might support your project in other ways.
You can also review the Grant Guidelines on our website.
I couldn’t find the perfect match for my idea. What should I do?
If you’ve reviewed our Special Projects grant category and still are not sure about whether your project fits, please send an email to grants@vegfund.org and briefly describe your proposal. We will let you know if your project might be eligible for VegFund grant funding.
Can I apply for a VegFund grant if I’m getting other financial support?
Yes! In fact, demonstrating that your project has other funding is a great way for us to see that your project is set up for success. Our application includes a section on “additional sources of income” where we ask that you enter those sources.
How can I check the status of my application?
Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive email confirmation, make sure that you have taken all the necessary steps to submit your application, including clicking the "Submit my Application" button. You will receive an email from grants@vegfund.org informing you of whether your application has been approved and for how much.
I can’t access my account anymore. What should I do?
Make sure you are logging onto http://vegfund.fluidreview.com. If you can no longer remember your password, click "Forgot your password?" under the login information to reset your password. Check your spam folder for the password reset email if you have not received it. If you have not previously created an account with VegFund's current grant management system, you will need to create a new account.
VegFund is no longer accepting applications via https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=vegfund. If you have not signed up for a new account with our new grant management system, please do so first before contacting VegFund.
If after taking these steps you are still not able to log in to your profile, please contact VegFund at grants@vegfund.org to request assistance.
VegFund FAQ
Who runs VegFund?
Dedicated, volunteer vegan activists located in some 76 countries around the world and an independent board elected to oversee the good governance and strategic advisory are the backbone of VegFund’s success. Our programs and administration are run by a small staff that includes its executive director, a director of communications, a digital marketing manager, and a program officer, along with support in finance, programs, and communications.
Where does VegFund get its funding?
Like most not-for-profits, VegFund was started with a generous grant. We are continually striving to expand our fundraising efforts so that VegFund can support even more activists in their crucial vegan outreach work.
Are you accepting volunteers?
We are not accepting volunteers at this time. We will note in this space when we re-open applications for volunteers.
Why does VegFund predominantly fund projects focused on farm animals and veganism?
Because animals used for food are, in overwhelming numbers, the subjects of large-scale animal cruelty, suffering, and deaths, VegFund gives funding priority to projects that focus on farmed animals, veganism, and a plant-based diet.
What’s the best way to stay in touch with VegFund?
Sign up for our newsletter. This publication covers the latest VegFund news including program updates, job announcements, activist resources, community activities, and more. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and connect with us on LinkedIn. Or, join VegFund as a grantee!
What do I do if my question isn’t covered here?
Please contact us, and we’ll be in touch with you soon.