The Pinterest Creator Fund : All you need to know
Interested in getting a $25,000 grant (or £20,000 in the UK) from Pinterest to upskill your creation capabilities on Pinterest? Pinterest runs quarterly the Pinterest Creator Fund. It aims to help underrepresented creators thrive on the platform. Pinterest is investing significantly to ensure that it is an increasingly inclusive and diverse platform. New creators can apply for expert training, resources and a financial grant.
If you’re interested in applying, this post will tell you all you need to know! I go over the fund, how it works, who can apply, and more.
When does the Pinterest Creator Fund open? When is the Pinterest Creator Fund opening again?
What is the difference between Pinterest Creator Fund and Pinterest Creator Rewards?
So if you’re looking to grow your Pinterest skills and get some extra cash, keep reading!
Pinterest’s core values aim at creating a more inclusive space online. The Pinterest Creator Fund is a Pinterest program launched in March 2021, and it aims to help underrepresented creators thrive on the platform.
The Pinterest Creator Fund offers educational and financial support to select eligible creators from disproportionately underrepresented communities to support their growth on Pinterest. The great news is that Pinterest increased its investment in the Pinterest Creator Fund in 2022 and opens for application typically every 3 months.
It is currently a 5-week program that includes virtual sessions, including:
how to use Pinterest’s best practices
how to leverage Pinterest Predicts trends for your content
ways to be featured on Pinterest
how to use ads to help boost your content
Plus, it will help you build a community with other Creators of the Pinterest Creator Fund.
For instance, the program focuses on creators who are people of colour, disabled, or from the LGBTQIA community and other diverse communities. The Pinterest Creator Fund aims to make Pinterest an increasingly diverse platform and focuses on the growth and success of underrepresented creators.
Creators selected as part of the Pinterest Creator Fund get expert training, resources and a financial grant.
The Pinterest Creator Fund opens for applications typically every 3 months and will offer grants for Pinterest creators in a specific country and type of creator.
So the first thing when the Pinterest Creator Fund opens for applications is to check the application criteria.
Pinterest criteria are always unambiguous, and you will see quickly whether or not you can apply in this round of applications. Just see the example below of the application in October 2022.
Pinterest gives you a few days to put your application in. It consists of you filling out a Google form with various questions. Once you apply for the Pinterest Creator Fund, Pinterest reviews your application.
If you get selected, the grant includes money, resources and tools to help you grow your Pinterest accounts and access Pinterest’s expert training and mentorship.
You will be committing to learning and creating. In a nutshell, to attend 5 virtual educational sessions over 5 weeks plus to create content as part of the Pinterest Creator Fund.
Pinterest Creator Fund participants are required to sign an agreement committing to the above.
You might right away think about the financial fund when thinking why to apply for the Pinterest Creator Fund. While that is undeniably very attractive, you’ll gain other critical benefits from it. Let’s look at them.
Pinterest is a visual discovery engine that will make your content discoverable for years by search, not just a few hours like on social media.
The Pinterest Creator Fund will help you develop skills that you can apply to create truly impactful internet marketing and content marketing, which will help you monetize your presence on Pinterest and make money online.
Being able to create inspiring content that drives action from your audience is always the veery first step to brilliant growth online. So don’t underestimate the powerful impact of the skills you’ll develop with the program, beyond the monetary aspects.
The Pinterest Creator Fund also gives you access to exclusive resources that can help you create better Pinterest content, reach more people and stand out from the crowd.
The Pinterest Creator Fund is an excellent opportunity for creators to get financial support and grow their Pinterest skills.
Pinterest explains that Pinterest Creator Fund graduates:
get steady growth on Pinterest
gain on average 60% more followers after completing the program
2.9x more idea pin impressions
72% more monthly viewers than before
The Pinterest Creator Fund is undeniably a great financial opportunity to be paid to learn from the Pinterest itself and all the resources and office hours they’ll put at your disposal. Yes, the value of the grant may change in the future, but as it stand its amount is a great help to any content creator. I’ll tell you more about it the next section.
All in all, the Pinterest Creator Fund will significantly improve your impact and results on Pinterest, and that, in turn, will help you monetize your presence on Pinterest in many different ways! 😉 Yeah! I will tell you more about this later in this blog post!
If selected, Pinterest will provide a grant of $25k (or £20K in the UK) to support creators in developing Pinterest content and growing their presence on the platform. The figure above is based on the Pinterest grant given in 2022.
At the time of writing, Pinterest has allocated $ 20 million to the Pinterest Creator Fund in 2022. This is a fantastic investment in helping Pinterest Creators achieve more.
When does the Pinterest Creator Fund open? This is the key question to answer when you want to grab this great opportunity of personal development, online growth and financial grant.
There isn’t a way to anticipate exactly when it will open. The Pinterest Creator Fund is currently opening quarterly as per Pinterest own information.
As the window to apply is small (approximately 10 days) once it is open for applications, the best way to know exactly when the Pinterest Creator Fund will open again is to subscribe to the Pinterest Creator newsletter here.
Pinterest encourages applications from eligible creators from disproportionately underrepresented communities, typically people of colour, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Typically it opens for Pinterest creators in the US, but it also opened for Pinterest Creators in the UK in June 2022. Other countries like Brazil are also planned for the Pinterest Creator Fund.
Depending on the programme, there are other conditions that Pinterest can set to be able to apply to the Pinterest Creator Fund. For instance, in the October 2022 Pinterest Creator Fund program, Pinterest creators applying needed to meet the following criteria:
Lifestyle creator: creates lifestyle content (DIY, Home Decor, Travel and Art)
Identifies as part of an underrepresented community, meaning, as explained before, people of colour, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
US-based (with a Pinterest account)
Between 750 - 10,000 followers on Pinterest
Doesn’t monetize content over $10K
18+ years old
Wants to grow Pinterest content creation skills
Commits to be available to office hours & program sessions
The Pinterest Creator Fund opens quarterly (every 3 months) at this point in time. The exact dates are published by Pinterest ahead of the launch of the new Pinterest Creator Fund program.
The easiest way to know when the next Pinterest Creator Fund program will open is to sign up for the Pinterest Creators newsletter here. You’ll get the dates announced in the Pinterest email you receive.
The exact Pinterest Creator Fund application form for the program changes each quarter. Pinterest will provide details on how to apply when it opens.
This was the page for the October 2022 program. If you click on the “Apply Now!” button, you will see the link to register for the Pinterest Creator newsletter to be informed of when the next Pinterest Creator Fund program will be.
Once Pinterest announces that it is accepting applications for its Pinterest Creator Fund, go to the Pinterest page provided and look for ‘Apply Now’ link to access the application form.
Be mindful that the application period is relatively short, usually 10 days.
If the Pinterest Creator Fund program applications are closed, you’re likely to land on a page like this:
In the Pinterest Creator Fund application form, you’ll be asked to provide your Pinterest username and Pinterest profile link, as well as other details. You’ll also have to commit to meeting specific criteria (such as being available for office hours).
Once Pinterest reviews all applications, it will announce who is selected for the Pinterest Creator Fund program.
The best you can do to avoid missing the dates, it’s to subscribe to the Pinterest Creators newsletter.
Give yourself the best chances to meet the criteria and be selected. Start creating Pinterest content regularly, learn how to inspire your audience to achieve the minimum follower levels needed, and show a Pinterest account that demonstrates your value and ability to create inspiration.
You can discover how in my other Pinterest blogs:
A Beginner’s Guide To Pinterest Board Ideas To Get Pinterest Working For You
Pinterest Hashtags And Pinterest Keywords In 2022 | Your Questions Answered
How To Post Pinterest Pins That Go Viral For Course Creators & Bloggers
Want to get a 1-hour FREE training on Pinterest. Watch my workshop below!
Pinterest has openly shared some of the creators who got into Pinterest Creator Fund programs. They range from travel bloggers and photographers to a private chef.
Here are a few examples of Pinterest Creator Fund graduates:
Oyin Edogi (luxury travel & storytelling with photography)
Anthony Gomes (Men’s Style & Beauty - Painting & DIY - Photography - South Asian Fashion)
Adela Guerra (Helping you build your confidence and influence! Social Media Entrepreneur from Los Angeles)
Jomely Breton (Latina Content creator and business owner that loves fashion and travelling the world)
Kayla Greer (High Profile Private Chef)
Polly Irungu (global community and directory of Black women and non-binary photographers)
Sara Toufali (plants, cosy spaces, California living)
Seyi Famuyiwa (style, beauty, and lifestyle tips)
Wendy Traylor (Health and fitness pro)
Chesca Ortiz (skincare creator)
Pinterest Creator Fund is a program open to new and experienced creators who want to grow their Pinterest skills and receive financial grants.
On the other hand, Pinterest Creator Rewards rewards successful creators for their idea pins.
Pinterest launches challenges for Pinterest idea pin creations and sets financial rewards for each challenge. In Pinterest’s own words: “The Pinterest Creator Rewards is a programme for content creators to monetise their content when creating original Pinterest Idea Pins that meet the Pinterest monthly reward goals. Pinterest rewards creators directly for inspiring and quality content and organic engagement.
Pinterest Creator Rewards is an invitation-only program. To qualify for it, you need to meet the following criteria, as detailed by Pinterest:
To have a Pinterest business account
Be a legal resident of, and located in, the United States or the District of Columbia
Have created at least 3 Idea Pins in the last 30 days
Have 150 saves of your published Pins in the last 30 days
Have at least 250 followers
Be 18 years or over
Create original content
Use the Pinterest app on your mobile phone
The above criteria can change. The Pinterest Creator Rewards is currently in testing and is only accessible to select early-access users in the US.
It is expected that Pinterest will expand the Pinterest Creator Rewards beyond the United States or the District of Columbia at some point in the future.
This is the point where you might have a few more questions popping in your head. Here are frequently asked questions answered for you!
Yes, Pinterest pays creators on both Pinterest Creator Fund and Pinterest Creator Rewards programs.
Pinterest rewards new creators who are accepted into the Pinterest Creator Fund program with a financial grant.
Pinterest also pays successful creators for their Idea Pins with financial rewards for each challenge under the Pinterest Creator Rewards.
There are many other ways to monetise your presence on Pinterest but they don’t involve Pinterest paying you.
Check the Bonus Tip section to know more! 😉
Yes, the Pinterest Creator Fund is an ongoing program.
Pinterest accepts applications for the Pinterest Creator Fund every quarter. Be mindful the exact dates may vary and not be at the beginning of the quarter.
For more information about Pinterest Creator Fund, check out Pinterest’s help article on the topic.
The Pinterest Creator Hub is the place in your Pinterest app where you’ll be able to:
see suggested content for inspiration (great place for keyword research too!)
access your analytics
understand trends
create branded content with the Pinterest Partnership tool
earn rewards by creating idea pins (note you need to meet the criteria I listed above for this)
create content
To get your Pinterest Creator Hub enabled, you need to:
have a Pinterest business account
have created one idea pin
The Pinterest Creator Fund is expanding globally, starting with the UK and Brazil.
So keep an eye on future Pinterest Creator Fund programs for Canada.
Pinterest generates revenue through ads, partner collaborations (like with Shopify), and brand partnerships.
Pinterest is a visual discovery platform. It helps users find ideas, products, and services that match their interests and passions.
Content creators benefit from the fact that their content is searchable on Pinterest, as it is a content search engine and, therefore, is discoverable for years.
It is wrong to say that Pinterest is a social media platform, even though it has engagement features (comments, reactions, shares, saves, and follows).
Pinterest uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recommend content based on your search history and what other people with similar interests have liked in the past. Pinterest also has a shopping feature that allows you to easily buy products directly from Pinterest and explore related products. Pinterest also uses Pinterest Ads to monetize its platform. Pinterest Ads have targeted ads that appear in a user’s home feed, giving businesses a chance to reach potential customers.
I hope this post has given you what you need to know about it. So if you’re looking to grow your Pinterest skills and get some extra cash, the Pinterest Creator Fund is a great opportunity. To learn more about the Pinterest Creator Fund, read this.
I love seeing you here, and I can’t wait to hear about your Pinterest journey!
Yes, Pinterest also offers several other ways to make money. You can:
do affiliate marketing with links or tags
monetize your idea pins with the Pinterest Creator Reward program
drive traffic to sell your digital or physical product and services outside of Pinterest
create your Pinterest shop
get ads revenue from the traffic you drive from Pinterest to your website or blog
partner with businesses and tag them in your idea pins
Become a Pinterest VA to help businesses manage their Pinterest accounts
use Pinterest Ads or join Pinterest-affiliated programs such as Shopify, Tailwind Creators
Regardless of which option you choose, Pinterest is definitely a great platform to monetize your content and get creative! So tell me in the comments what you’ll be doing next on Pinterest.
To learn more on how to drive your grow your online audience with Pinterest, don't forget to watch my FREE workshop: Grow Online With Pinterest in Just 2 Hours A Week. I share with your my Pinterest formula to grow my biz.
And if you want to follow my exact system to use Pinterest to build a profitable online business, join my signature programme, The Profitable Pinterest Secrets.
I have a very special time-limited offer for you in the link below. Just sign-up to my Pinterest instant workshop and get your special offer straight away!
What next?
The absolute best you can do at this point is to create on Pinterest. Remember, your content is evergreen and gets discovered for years!
I love having you here and help you grow online without burnout.
My mission is to help you be successful online to live the life you want.
Before you go, watch my FREE Pinterest workshop, Grow Online With Pinterest in 2 Hours Per Week:
Hi! I’m Isabel
For years and years I have created and produced content, in particular visual content. You can find me very often with my cameras and tripod out and about!
My passion: to help you with your online presence and drive business growth through my blog and visuals collections (marketing templates, styled photos & video).
Ah, I have also worked for 24+ in the corporate world, leading quite a mix: transformation, marketing, coaching, sales, productivity, programme management, investments and product management.
I love sharing all these skills with you in my blog.
I am also founder of Agavea Properties, our family holiday rental business. My husband and I lead it with the passion with one goal in mind: serving our customers to create a memorable holiday experience for them.
So there you have it, that’s me! Ah... I almost forgot, my happy place is by the sea.
Thanks for being here with me!