Big Green
Big Green is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado (EIN 27-5083595), formed in 2011. It supports food-growing work through grants and garden programs, and describes its vision as a future where fresh, healthy food is on every table in America.
Big Green at a glance
In short: Big Green gave $885K across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), top state Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $884,948
- -56.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- Average grant
- $22,124
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $8,845,178
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Big Green
- How to Apply
-
Big Green’s website describes an application process for Big Green Table grants.
- Review Cycle
- The listed 2026 application period, August 21 through September 9, has passed. The website lists voting from September 25 through October 2, with grantees to be announced and funds distributed October 9, 2026.
- Deadline
- The listed 2026 application period, August 21 through September 9, has passed.
- Next open deadline
- December 5, 2026 (Big Green DAO Grants (Community-Led Grantmaking))
- Contact
Mailing address: 2901 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (720) 213-8162
Website: https://biggreen.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Big Green
Big Green DAO Grants (Community-Led Grantmaking)
Big Green
Amount
$10,000 - $50,000 per grant
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Big Green Jumpstart
Big Green
Amount
Learning Garden kit (raised bed) and/or $2,000 cash grant per school
Deadline
Deadline not published
Big Green School Garden Grant: Jumpstart Detroit
Big Green
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Big Green funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was SAISD Foundation ($78K). Together the top 10 received $371K.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 89 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Big Green describes its work as supporting food-growing organizations across the country. Its 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Texas (30%), Colorado (19%), Illinois (10%), Georgia (9%), and Minnesota (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $885K (2024) to $2.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $885K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SAISD Foundation San Antonio, TX | Jumpstart | $78,000 |
| Los Cabos Childrens Foundation Saint Paul, MN | Million Garden | $55,448 |
| Gardopia Gardens San Antonio, TX | DAO Grant and Jumpstart | $50,000 |
| Outer Haven Denver, CO | DAO Grant | $33,500 |
| Good Neighbor Settlement House Brownsville, TX | DAO Grant and PASD | $26,000 |
| St Sabina Church Chicago, IL | DAO Grant and PASD | $26,000 |
| Land Together Berkeley, CA | DAO Grant | $26,000 |
| Urban Symbiosis Aurora, CO | DAO Grant | $26,000 |
| BiG Heroes Inc Brownsville, TX | DAO Grant | $25,000 |
| Black Seeds Memphis, TN | DAO Grant | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Big Green?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,845,178 | $6,694,541 | $5,600,201 | $884,948 | 40 | $273,876 |
| 2023 | $9,137,379 | $3,746,615 | $5,629,469 | $2,016,888 | Total only | $103,666 |
| 2022 | $11,419,659 | $13,254,106 | $6,463,069 | $1,307,184 | 49 | $-11,822 |
| 2021 | $5,640,789 | $5,088,851 | $4,714,073 | — | — | $8,151 |
| 2020 | $4,759,958 | $6,047,457 | $6,667,128 | — | — | $50,351 |
| 2019 | $5,238,231 | $9,169,600 | $8,923,804 | — | — | $31,684 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Big Green’s stated belief is that growing food changes lives. Its filing says that growing food can improve nutrition security and mental health, connect people with nature, and help them understand weather volatility created by climate change.
Big Green’s grantmaking supports organizations that strengthen community access to fresh, local food by growing food, helping people grow food, or moving fresh, local food to or within their communities. Its website organizes grants under four pillars: Hunger, Health, Habitat, and Humanity. Big Green says eligible work must fit one pillar, with reporting on an outcome and related measures.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work in the portfolio. Gardopia Gardens describes its mission as growing healthy communities through garden-based learning. Urban Symbiosis says it builds urban farms, teaches and grows urban farmers, and supports the local community with local fresh produce. Land Together describes work providing people in prison with vocational and life skills through an integrated gardening approach.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Big Green reported making 40 grants totaling $884,948. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $78,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest listed grant was $78,000 to SAISD Foundation for Jumpstart. Other notable grants included $55,448 to Los Cabos Childrens Foundation for Million Garden; $50,000 to Gardopia Gardens for DAO Grant and Jumpstart; and $33,500 to Outer Haven for DAO Grant. Big Green also gave $26,000 to each of Good Neighbor Settlement House and St Sabina Church for DAO Grant and PASD.
Big Green’s website describes the Big Green Table as a participatory grantmaking process in which growers and donors decide together how funding flows. Applicants select a pillar and grant amount, and prepare proof of 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship, an organizational photo, a short video or audio elevator pitch, and narrative responses. Previously funded organizations are eligible to take part in the voting round. Eligibility includes organizations that grow food, help people grow food, or move fresh, local food; a qualifying program within a broader organization may apply for restricted funding.
The Big Green DAO is a separate community-governed grantmaking program for grassroots U.S. nonprofits whose primary area of impact is growing food. Its Grants Round 10 was closed to applications and limited to existing DAO Community members; grantees were announced December 5, 2025. The next rounds are listed with opening dates to be determined.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kimbal Musk as CEO, Director, and Executive Chairman. Listed directors are Don Degnan, Michael Tang, Larry Mueller, Dorsey Hopson, Patrick Drake, and Kasey Stark. Wendy Lea is listed as Director and Treasurer. The filing also lists Madeleine Nelson as VP of Advancement and Dianna Zeegers as VP of Program and Secretary.
Big Green is led by Kimbal Musk, CEO, Director & Executice Chairman since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kimbal Musk
CEO, Director & Executice Chairman
CEO → CEO, Director & Officer, 2023
CEO, Director & Officer → CEO, Director & Executice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$21K (2019) → $0 (2024)
Don Degnan
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorsey Hopson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Mueller
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Tang
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Lea
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Drake
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kasey Stark
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna Zeegers
Vice President of Program & Secretary
Vice President of Program → Vice President of Program & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$92K (2022) → $141K (2024)
Madeleine Nelson
Vice President of Advancement
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$121K (2022) → $147K (2024)
Isaiah Weatherspoon
Vice President of Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$38K (2024)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Cindy Mercer (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Hugo Matheson (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Keegan Amrose (2023) — Director of Technology
- Former: Erin Macguire (2019–2022) — CFO & Treasurer
- Former: Robin Martin (2019–2022) — Director & Officer
- Former: Tighe Brown (2019–2022) — President
- Former: Phil Hicks (2020–2022) — Vice President of Growth
- Former: Lisa Heros Ellis (2022) — Director of Advancement
- Former: Barry Didato (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Robert Jmelman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Christina Gonzalez-Avram (2020) — Vice President Program
- Former: Antonio Gracias (2019) — Director
- Former: Joan Haug (2019) — Employee
- Former: Katherine Waller (2019) — Employee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $147K, to Madeleine Nelson (VP of Advancement). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Big Green
How much does Big Green give each year?
Big Green gave $885K across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $2.0M in grants paid.
What is Big Green's typical grant size?
Big Green's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $22,124, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Big Green give grants?
Big Green's top state is Texas, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (19%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brownsville, TX (4 grants), Chicago, IL (4 grants), Denver, CO (4 grants) and Savannah, GA (3 grants).
Does Big Green give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on Big Green's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "DAO Grant" (27 grants), "Jumpstart" (5 grants) and "DAO Grant and PASD" (3 grants).
Who are Big Green's largest grantees?
Big Green's largest 2024 grantees include SAISD Foundation ($78,000), Los Cabos Childrens Foundation ($55,448) and Gardopia Gardens ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Big Green?
Big Green reported $8.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.7M.
What does Big Green fund?
Big Green’s stated belief is that growing food changes lives. Its filing says that growing food can improve nutrition security and mental health, connect people with nature, and help them understand weather volatility created by climate change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Big Green?
Big Green’s website describes an application process for Big Green Table grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Big Green's EIN?
Big Green's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-5083595. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Big Green's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Big Green funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/big-green-morg_5d09a212e12b4f119f450d3fc407e1b3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_275083595_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Big Green funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/big-green-morg_5d09a212e12b4f119f450d3fc407e1b3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Big Green's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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