The creator economy is growing rapidly, and social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest are investing heavily in creators. Each platform has its own way of helping content creators build sustainable income, but Pinterest has gone a step further by introducing the Pinterest Creator Fund (also called the Pinterest Inclusion Fund).
This initiative is designed to give underrepresented creators the financial support, resources, and tools they need to grow on Pinterest. If you are a blogger, small business owner, or independent publisher, this could be the opportunity you have been looking for.
What is the Pinterest Creator Fund?
The Pinterest Creator Fund is a five-week program created to educate and empower emerging creators. Its goal is to provide resources that help participants grow their reach, improve their content strategies, and build sustainable businesses on the platform.
The program is not the same as Pinterest Creator Rewards (also known as the Creator Hub). Both allow creators to earn money on Pinterest, but each program has its own eligibility criteria and application process.
Who Can Apply?
The fund focuses on supporting individuals and businesses from underrepresented communities. Independent publishers, small business owners, and boutique creator agencies based in the United States or Canada can apply if they meet the criteria.
Eligible applicants include:
- Creators and businesses owned by BIPOC, disabled, plus-size, or LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Agencies and publishers that produce content or products primarily for these communities.
Pinterest Creator Fund Eligibility Requirements
Pinterest divides eligibility into three categories: Independent Lifestyle Publishers, Small Merchants, and Boutique Creator Agencies.
Independent Lifestyle Publishers
- Must be at least 50% owned by someone from an underrepresented community or feature at least 70% of content representing those groups.
- Must be based in the US or Canada.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must have a Pinterest business account or at least 200 published pieces of content across other platforms.
- Content must fall within lifestyle categories such as fashion, beauty, or wellness.
- The website should support RSS feeds.
- Must commit to all program sessions and office hours.
Small Merchants
- At least 50% ownership by someone from an underrepresented group, or 70% of products must support those communities.
- Must sell goods in the fashion, beauty, or lifestyle industries.
- Cannot already be a verified Pinterest merchant.
- Based in the US or Canada.
- Must have a Pinterest business account or an e-commerce store (Shopify or another supported platform).
- Must follow Pinterest Merchant Guidelines.
- Must commit to program participation.
Boutique Creator Agencies
- At least 50% owned by underrepresented communities, or at least 70% of the talent roster must reflect those groups.
- Must be based in the US or Canada.
- Agencies must manage between 25 and 50 creators.
- At least 40% of the roster should already have Pinterest business accounts, and the rest must be willing to create them.
- Talent must focus on fashion, beauty, or lifestyle niches.
- Must attend all program sessions and office hours.
What to Expect From the Program
The Creator Fund runs for about five weeks. Participants can expect:
- Six structured virtual training sessions.
- Over 20 content assignments.
- Weekly office hours with Pinterest staff.
- One-on-one coaching from industry experts.
Originally launched as a four-week program, the Creator Fund has since expanded to provide even more support and hands-on training.
Creators are also trained to use Pinterest Predicts, a trend-reporting tool that helps identify upcoming popular topics. This allows participants to create timely, relevant content that has a higher chance of reaching new audiences.
How Much Does the Pinterest Creator Fund Pay?
Pinterest does not publish an exact grant amount, but past participants have reported receiving financial support that included both cash grants and ad credits. In previous cycles, some creators received up to $25,000 in funding, although this may vary from cycle to cycle.
In addition to financial aid, participation can lead to brand sponsorships. For example, one past program cycle was partnered with L’Oréal, giving creators a chance to connect directly with the brand and receive complimentary products to feature in their content.
Success Stories From Past Participants
Many creators who completed the program reported strong growth in both engagement and followers. For example:
- A fitness and wellness creator gained more than 70 percent new followers within several months of completing the program.
- A skincare-focused creator saw her monthly views grow by nearly 50 percent during her participation.
These results show that the Creator Fund does more than provide financial support—it also opens the door to long-term growth and visibility.
When to Apply
The Pinterest Creator Fund runs in cycles throughout the year. Applications typically remain open for a short period of time, and only a limited number of creators are selected for each cycle.
Applicants are usually notified a few weeks after submissions close, and those accepted have a set amount of time to confirm participation. To stay informed, it is best to sign up for Pinterest’s creator newsletter, which announces upcoming cycles and provides deadlines.
Where is the Creator Fund Available?
Currently, the Creator Fund is open to participants in:
- United States
- Canada
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
- France
In the future, Pinterest plans to expand the program to additional countries, including Brazil and the United Kingdom. Some regions may also have specific program cycles focused on particular communities or industries.
Other Ways to Make Money on Pinterest
If you do not qualify for the Creator Fund, there are still many ways to monetize your presence on Pinterest, such as:
- Running a blog and using Pinterest traffic to grow advertising revenue.
- Adding affiliate links within your blog posts and Idea Pins.
- Selling digital products like eBooks, templates, or printables.
- Joining the Pinterest Creator Rewards program.
Each of these methods can be pursued independently of the Creator Fund, allowing creators to build multiple income streams.
Final Thoughts
The Pinterest Creator Fund is an excellent opportunity for underrepresented creators to gain both financial support and professional training. If you meet the eligibility requirements, consider applying during the next cycle.
Even if you are not accepted, Pinterest still offers multiple ways to grow your brand, increase traffic, and earn revenue. With consistency, creativity, and optimization, the platform can become a powerful tool in your creator journey.