Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation Program Grants

The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (VCTF) provides grants to support primary prevention programs that serve children from birth to age 18. These grants are designed to fund community-based programs that aim to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance misuse, child abuse, and other socially harmful behaviors before the involvement of authorities. The foundation emphasizes strength-based programming that promotes positive family functioning, addresses societal factors affecting families, and coordinates services to at-risk youth. VCTF also prioritizes programs that advance racial equity and work to reduce race-based disparities. VCTF offers two types of program grants: one-year grants of up to $12,000 for planning and implementing new programs, and three-year grants of up to $15,000 for organizations ready to sustain programs long-term. For multi-year grants, funding decreases by approximately 15% each year to encourage grantees to secure additional funding sources. If a proposed program is considered a pilot project, VCTF may choose to fund it for only one year, after which the organization can reapply for the three-year cycle. The application timeline for 2025 starts in January when applications are made available online. All applications are due by March 12, 2025, and award notifications will be sent in June. Funding for successful applicants becomes available in mid to late summer, with grant-funded programs running from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically, and applicants are encouraged to save their work regularly while completing the online form. Eligible applicants include private non-profits, schools, and public entities such as town governments, recreation departments, and libraries. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Programs must be voluntary and open to the general public, and they cannot be exclusively targeted to individuals already known to authorities. Grantees must also be in good standing with Vermont’s tax and regulatory agencies, including the Child Development Division for regulated child care programs. Applications are reviewed in May by a panel of more than 20 community volunteers, including pediatricians, educators, and business leaders. Reviewers may not be familiar with the applicant organization, so proposals should be clear and comprehensive. Applicants are also required to explain how their projects advance equity and inclusion for underrepresented populations they serve, and they must demonstrate how their programs address specific state outcomes and protective factors identified by VCTF, such as parental and youth resilience, social connections, and cognitive and emotional competence in children. Funded programs must comply with reporting requirements, including submitting mid-term and final reports and participating in a site visit during the grant period. For technical assistance with the application, applicants may contact Theo at theo@vtchildrenstrust.org or call 802-951-8604. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight on March 12, 2025, and late submissions will not be accepted.