Purpose
Investing in grassroots initiatives for a just and thriving world.
Mission
Empowering 10,000 Climate Leaders in the Global South transforming 1 Billion lives.
Why EarthON?
Over 70% of climate funding flows to large organizations, with only 15% reaching emerging economies and Global South markets—regions that face some of the most severe climate challenges. Grassroots leaders, non-English-speaking innovators, and unconventional problem-solvers in these areas often lack the tools, resources, and networks needed to scale their impactful solutions.
EarthON bridges this gap by empowering leaders and entrepreneurs to implement transformative solutions at the intersection of climate and livelihoods. By investing directly in grassroots initiatives, we ensure that bold ideas from those closest to the problem can become scalable actions for a sustainable future.
PARTNERS
EarthON Eco Champions Program
The EarthON Changemakers Program is a 10-month program for founders from climate-vulnerable regions, high-impact, low-access geographical areas, ensuring gender equality and supporting indigenous communities.
What will the Changemaker get?
- USD 5,000 (non-dilutive funds) per changemaker
- USD 100, 000 of additional non financial support
- One-to-one mentorship from experts
- Annual conference bringing leaders and funders
Who are our Changemakers?
- Climate leaders and early-stage entrepreneurs
- Founders with 2+ years of dedicated experience
- Annual Turnover / budget within 100,000 USD
- Working in high-impact, low-access areas
- Strengthening communities with limited opportunities-access areas
About Us
The EarthON Foundation USA, a 501(c)(3) organization, is redefining climate funding by empowering climate leaders and early-stage entrepreneurs in vulnerable regions.
How
EarthON Foundation will invest in building the ecosystem through financial support, coaching, and access to a global network. Our programs – Changemakers, Greenovation Awards and Grassroots Funds will empower climate action at the grassroots level and foster a sustainable, scalable ecosystem.Through our participatory and trust-based grantmaking model, we ensure resources reach those who are best positioned to drive meaningful change.
What
Over 70% of climate funding goes to large organizations, with only 15% reaching the Global markets and emerging economies. Non-English-speaking, unconventional innovators and grassroots leaders often lack the tools and networks needed to scale their solutions.
Why
We believe that a large-scale ecosystem must be created to support bold ideas from young grassroots innovators, who are the catalysts for addressing global challenges. Empowering them is key to sustaining and scaling innovation.
EarthON Grassroot Fund
The EarthON Grassroots Fund provides core grants of up to 10,000 USD to grassroot organizations, working collaboratively to support and scale their innovative climate solutions. We embrace participatory grantmaking and collaborative funding. We focus on supporting founders from underrepresented backgrounds and those operating in geographically underserved locations.
Upcoming Event
Past Events
Board
Fred Walti
Sejal Gupta
Suneil Kalantry
Core Team
Rustam Sengupta
Co-Founder
Ranjeeta Bhattacharya
Assistant General Manager
Sneha Ghosh
Senior Program Manager
Ifrah Iqbal
Project Manager
Coaches & Mentors
Prof Chandradeep Mitra
Founder
PipalMajik
Pauline Laravoire
Sustainability Director
Techno India Group
Ravi Shankar
Consultant
SwitchON Foundation
Kanchan Maheshwari
Consultant
SwitchON Foundation
Pulkit Jain
Managing Director
Your Digital Boat
Tarun Kalra
Founder
Design Mantras
FAQ
EarthON Changemakers Programme:
What is the EarthON Changemakers Programme?
The EarthON Changemakers Programme is a 10-month initiative designed to support founders from climate-vulnerable regions and high-impact, low-access geographical areas. The program focuses on fostering gender equality and empowering Indigenous communities to scale their climate solutions.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Nonprofit leaders and early-stage entrepreneurs
- Founders with 2+ years of dedicated grassroots experience
- Founders with most recent Annual turnover or budget of up to $100,000
- Leaders working in high-impact, low-access geographical areas
What support do participants receive during the programme?
Participants in the Changemakers Programme gain access to:
- Up to USD 5,000 in non-dilutive funds annually.
- Support worth USD 15,000, including agency-led services in communications and finance (varies between USD 2,500–5,000 based on cohort type).
- A 3-day residential immersive bootcamp for intensive learning and collaboration.
- Expert coaching in areas such as:
- Social media strategy.
- Website development and maintenance.
- Finance and accounting.
- Governance practices.
How does the programme promote inclusivity?
The Changemakers Programme prioritizes:
- Gender equality in its selection and execution.
- Support for Indigenous communities
- A focus on underrepresented and geographically underserved areas.
What is the application process for the programme?
The programme accepts participants through a nomination process. Nominations are made by our partners, who identify individuals or organizations with the potential to drive impactful climate action.
How does the EarthON Changemakers Programme standout in the crowd?
The EarthON Changemakers Programme is unique because it operates through nominations from our trusted partners who have a deep understanding of the applicants’ work. It focuses on solution-driven leaders working closely with communities, particularly non-English speakers and grassroots innovators. Unlike other programmes, there are no lengthy forms to fill out, making the application process simple and accessible.
What happens after the 10-month programme?
After completing the programme, participants will:
- Become part of the EarthON community.
- Have the opportunity to join as mentors or trainers for future cohorts.
- Be eligible for continued support through the Grassroots Fund Programme.
- Gain access to EarthON’s events and networking opportunities.
EarthON Grassroot Fund:
What is the EarthON Grassroots Fund?
The EarthON Grassroots Fund provides core trust-based grants of up to $10,000 to grassroots organizations working on innovative climate solutions. The fund is designed to scale impactful projects and foster collaboration among climate leaders.
Who is eligible to apply for the Grassroots Fund?
- Founders from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Organizations operating in geographically underserved regions.
- Initiatives focused on innovative climate solutions.
What is trust-based grantmaking, and how does EarthON use it?
Trust-based grantmaking minimizes bureaucratic hurdles and prioritizes transparency, flexibility, and collaboration. EarthON uses this approach to empower grassroots leaders by trusting them to use funds where they are most impactful.
How does the Grassroots Fund differ from the Changemakers Programme?
While both initiatives support climate leaders, the Grassroots Fund focuses on providing direct financial support to organizations for scaling their solutions. The Changemakers Programme, on the other hand, includes mentorship, capacity building, and ecosystem support in addition to funding.
How can I apply for the fund? (Info...)
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Voice of Impact
