There is so much animal activism going on around the world, but how does it all get funded? Jessika Ava joins us to discuss the work of Thrive Philanthropy, a global grantmaker that accelerates alternatives to industrial animal agriculture and amplifies just, sustainable, plant-based food systems across the world.
Jessika Ava, MS, MPA is one of the first Native Americans to sit in a leadership position in the vegan philanthropic space. Jessika is the CEO and founder of Thrive Philanthropy, an initiative launched to dismantle accessibility barriers for non-USA grassroots organizations and ensure food justice advocates across the globe have equitable access to funding opportunities. She is a co-founder of A Just World, an organization with a mission to strengthen food justice organizations within India. She is co-founder of Africa Vegan Restaurant Week and Africa Vegan School Lunch Campaign, domestically-led initiatives to advance plant-based eating across the African continent. In 2020, she launched the Africa Accelerator to expand funding opportunities across Africa, which has since resulted in increased financial or capacity support to over 150 Africa-based food systems advocates.
Jessika is a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation, and she shares her life with a beloved 3-legged feral street dog from Kathmandu and chosen family all across the globe.
RESOURCES
We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode’s interview.
_____________________________________________
Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review!
Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.
Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter).
The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.
__________________________
This episode is sponsored in part by The Culture & Animals Foundation, which sponsors artists, scholars, and activists in our collective efforts to understand our fellow species more deeply and to further their rights. CAF provides annual grants, an arts prize, a lecture series, and a fellowship. Visit cultureandanimals.org for more information. The Culture & Animals Foundation: Think. Create. Explore. Celebrate.
__________________________
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision-makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.
When it comes to food, taking away people’s choices generally won’t work, but it’s entirely possible to help them make better ones. Greener By Default’s Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman join us this week to discuss their successes in making …continue
Proudly brought to you by: 10 February 2024
This episode explores the vision and priorities of Tracy Reiman, PETA‘s new president with over three decades of experience in animal advocacy. In this compelling conversation, Reiman shares insights into PETA’s evolving strategies to reach younger generations through innovative technology, …continue
Proudly brought to you by: 3 October 2025
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann navigate everything from protein powder debates to theories of change in animal activism with their signature blend of warmth and wit. The duo shares breaking news about Jane Goodall’s …continue
Proudly brought to you by: 2 October 2025
