South Lake Champlain Fund

The South Lake Champlain Fund (SLCF), originally established as the South Lake Champlain Trust in 1989, is administered by the Vermont Community Foundation. Guided by a three-member advisory committee, the fund makes annual grants that support educational and research projects focused on the southern portion of Lake Champlain. This geographic focus includes areas south of Crown Point in both Vermont and New York. The fund prioritizes initiatives that have a direct and positive environmental impact on the lake and its immediate surroundings, particularly those that involve individuals and experts residing in the southern Lake Champlain region. The primary mission of the South Lake Champlain Fund is to foster awareness, understanding, and preservation of the cultural and ecological heritage of the southern Lake Champlain area. This is achieved through supporting innovative research and educational programs. Eligible educational initiatives typically engage youth in exploring the history, culture, and environmental science of the region, while research projects focus on the cultural heritage and environmental health of the lake itself. The fund is especially interested in projects that offer direct community impact and incorporate local expertise, such as scientists, educators, and environmentalists who are native to or active in the region. Funding from the South Lake Champlain Fund may cover a range of project expenses, including personnel time, travel, equipment, software, hardware, research publication, implementation of findings, and dissemination activities. All findings from funded projects are expected to be made publicly available and shared with other organizations or stakeholders who are invested in the well-being of Lake Champlain. Projects that encourage community volunteering or civic engagement are strongly encouraged. The fund will not support projects that duplicate studies from other parts of the lake, nor those focusing primarily on the northern section of Lake Champlain. Additionally, publications based on research already funded by other organizations are ineligible. Projects involving lobbying or advocacy, or those for which implementation is traditionally funded through government or commercial means, are also excluded from funding. Eligible applicants must meet the Vermont Community Foundation’s general applicant guidelines for nonprofits. Though matching funds are encouraged, they are not required. For the 2026 cycle, the fund expects to make between five to nine grants. Of these, one to three awards may range from $5,000 to $7,500, while the remaining grants will likely fall between $1,000 and $3,000. Partial funding may be awarded at the discretion of the advisory committee. For the 2026 cycle, applications will be accepted between February 10 and March 24, 2026, with a firm submission deadline of 5PM on March 24. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by early May 2026. Grant-funded activities must take place between May 2026 and May 2027. Proposals for activities that begin before the notification date will not be eligible. All notifications, including approvals and denials, will be sent via email to the address used in the online application submission. Questions about the South Lake Champlain Fund can be directed to Jane Mulcahy at the Vermont Community Foundation. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 802-388-3355 ext. 381.