Vermont Women’s Fund

The Vermont Women's Fund, established in 1994 as part of the Vermont Community Foundation, stands as the state’s first and only philanthropic fund dedicated exclusively to supporting the well-being of women and girls. The Fund is guided by a statewide council of women who advise on grantmaking, fundraising, and leadership activities. This structure ensures a community-driven approach to philanthropy, particularly focused on systemic change and economic opportunity for women and girls. The Fund supports a diverse range of initiatives that address systemic barriers to economic well-being, with a strong emphasis on intersectionality—recognizing that these challenges are often amplified for women and girls based on race, gender identity, sexuality, class, age, and ability. Grants are offered for both programmatic and general operating support, and proposals may be submitted for pilot initiatives or established programs. Multi-year and single-year funding is considered based on project scope and organizational need. Funding priorities include increasing access to livable wage jobs, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting financial literacy, and improving access to services such as childcare, healthcare, and transportation. Programs that aim to influence policy or address root causes of inequity are particularly encouraged. The Fund also emphasizes regional representation across Vermont and shows a willingness to support proposals that integrate the arts as part of their strategies. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their work aligns with the Fund’s desired outcomes, including long-term structural change and improved economic prospects for women and girls. Proposals must be grounded in research or best practices and show a clear vision for implementation and evaluation. Collaborative approaches are prioritized, as is a focus on marginalized populations, including BIPOC individuals, transgender women, non-binary people, and older women. Organizations must be either tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), a public agency, school, or municipality in Vermont. Fiscal sponsorships are allowed with appropriate documentation. The Fund does not support individuals, scholarships, endowments, political campaigns, capital campaigns, or indirect costs exceeding 10% of the project budget. Applications are accepted through the Vermont Community Foundation’s Online Grants Manager. For the 2025 cycle, the application window runs from January 7 through March 4, with decisions expected in May. Projects may begin as early as May 2025 and must be completed by May 2026. Grants of up to $15,000 are available. For assistance, applicants may contact the grants team by phone or email.

Strong proposals will align with the Fund’s mission, show systemic awareness, be grounded in best practices, and include a clear evaluation plan.