Community Selection
How winners are chosen
The Thrive Grant program puts the power of selection directly into the hands of our community. No committees. No backroom deals. Just real people voting for real candidates.
How Community Voting Works
Eligible Candidates Submit Applications
After completing the TRA-70 assessment and meeting eligibility criteria, candidates submit their stories to the community. Each application includes their personal journey, needs, and goals for personal growth.
Community Reviews Candidates
Registered community members browse applicant profiles, read their stories, and learn about each candidate's unique situation. No names are used—only pseudonyms—to protect privacy while maintaining transparency.
Community Members Cast Their Votes
Each registered voter receives two votes per grant cycle. Voters review all candidates and cast their votes for those they believe will benefit most from the grant. Votes can be changed at any time during the voting window.
Winners Are Selected by Vote Count
When the voting window closes, the candidates with the highest vote counts are selected as grant recipients. The top vote-getters receive funding, with runner-ups designated as backups in case of any withdrawals.
Fairness Safeguards
We've built multiple safeguards into the voting system to ensure a fair and democratic process.
Authenticated Voting
All votes require a registered account. This prevents ballot stuffing and ensures each community member has an equal voice.
Vote Limit Enforcement
Each voter receives exactly two votes per grant cycle. This prevents any single individual from dominating the selection process.
Vote Change Window
Voters can change their votes at any time during the voting window, allowing for informed decision-making as more candidates become visible.
Transparent Vote Counts
All vote counts are public throughout the voting period. No hidden manipulation— the community can see exactly where candidates stand in real time.
Equal Visibility
All approved applicants receive equal visibility in the directory, with no special placement or featured status that could bias voter attention.
Backup Candidates
Runner-up candidates are designated as backups. If a winner withdraws, the next eligible candidate steps in, ensuring no grant slots go unfilled.
Democratic Selection Explained
Traditional grant programs often rely on committees of experts who decide who is "worthy" of support. This approach can be biased, opaque, and disconnected from the communities these programs aim to serve.
Thrive Grant takes a different approach. We believe that those who understand hardship are best positioned to recognize genuine need. Our community-based voting system ensures:
- Transparency: The entire process is visible. Vote counts, candidate profiles, and selection criteria are all public.
- Community Ownership: Those who donate and engage with Thrive Grant have direct input into who receives support.
- No Gatekeeping: No panel of "experts" decides who is deserving. The community makes this determination collectively.
- Representation: Candidates are evaluated by peers who share similar life experiences and understand the challenges being faced.
This democratic approach isn't just about fairness—it's about trust. When the community selects grant recipients, the process earns legitimacy that no committee could achieve.
Ready to Make Your Voice Heard?
The next voting window opens soon. Create an account to be notified when voting begins and to cast your votes for the next grant recipients.