Vermont Arts Grants

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in specific regions to support programs that assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families in areas such as community development, education, health services, arts, and the environment.

This grant provides financial support to individuals in Vermont who wish to explore and promote Italian culture, history, and the Italian-American experience through various educational projects.

This program provides funding to support educational initiatives, local food projects, land conservation, environmental protection, social services, and cultural resources in Vermont communities, particularly benefiting small towns like Grafton.

This program provides small grants to Vermont non-profits and community initiatives that support under-served populations and address basic human needs, with a focus on volunteer-led organizations and innovative projects.

This program provides $25 grocery and gas gift cards to cancer patients in Northern New England who are currently undergoing treatment or receiving palliative care, helping to alleviate financial burdens and food insecurity.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in New England to support public performances and community engagement activities featuring regional artists.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This grant provides funding for tax-exempt organizations and local government agencies to support community-focused projects and activities in Coös County, NH, and neighboring areas in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

The Windham Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the economic, cultural, and civic life in Vermont through its grant-making activities. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in supporting organizations that address the needs and improve the quality of life for Vermonters, recognizing that the social and economic vitality of small towns is maintained through a diverse range of activities. This alignment ensures that grant-funded projects contribute directly to the foundation's overarching goal of fostering well-being in the state's communities. The target beneficiaries of these grants are Vermonters, with a focus on local organizations involved in social, cultural, and educational work within the state. The impact goals are broad, aiming to support educational programs, local food initiatives, land conservation for public use, environmental protection, social services, cultural resources, and historic preservation. By partnering with these organizations, the foundation seeks to empower local efforts that contribute to the overall health and prosperity of Vermont's towns and residents. The foundation's priorities and focuses are diverse, encompassing agricultural preservation and food systems, environmental enhancement, education in its broadest sense, promotion of arts, crafts, and Vermont traditions, meeting basic human needs, and historic preservation that serves a broad community purpose. In evaluating proposals, the foundation assesses an organization's competence, track record, financial stability, fundraising strategies, leadership strength, and the long-term viability of the proposed program. This strategic approach ensures that funding is directed towards capable organizations with sustainable initiatives. Expected outcomes and measurable results, particularly for grants of $5,000 or more, include a requirement for recipients to report back on the success of project implementation. While specific metrics are not detailed, the foundation's emphasis on competence, track record, and long-term viability suggests an expectation of tangible positive change within the community. The foundation awards approximately $65,000 in grants each quarter, with individual grants rarely exceeding $10,000 and an average of $2,500-$5,000, demonstrating a commitment to supporting numerous smaller-scale, impactful projects across the state. The Windham Foundation's strategic priorities are to strengthen organizational capacity, support special initiatives, engage in capacity building, and offer matching and challenge grants. Their theory of change appears to be that by investing in a wide range of community-focused activities and fostering collaboration among non-profit organizations, they can collectively enhance the quality of life and ensure the enduring vitality of Vermont's communities. They will not fund more than 50% of a project, encouraging diverse funding sources and collaborative efforts.

This program provides financial support to Vermont's agricultural fairs and field days, helping them with infrastructure projects and operational costs to promote local agriculture and community engagement.

The Arts Operating Grant provides financial support to arts organizations in Vermont, aimed at those offering year-round, high-quality arts programs and services that align with the mission of advancing arts and creativity throughout the state. This initiative supports Outcome Three of the Arts Council's Strategic Framework, focusing on building vibrant and creative communities through organizations and artists. For FY2025, the grant offers one-year operating funds to eligible organizations demonstrating significant community involvement and partnerships with civic, non-arts, and educational entities to ensure broad access to arts and creativity. Applicants must choose between applying for an Arts Operating Grant or an Arts Project Grant and cannot be current three-year operating grantees. Grant renewed every year.

The 2025 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program, offered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, is designed to foster innovative strategies and projects aimed at improving mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, while simultaneously working to reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program aligns with a broader mission to create more sustainable and accessible transportation options within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are transit-dependent Vermonters, along with employers and employees seeking to adopt Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures. The grant's impact goals are clearly defined, focusing on enhancing mobility and access for these transit-dependent individuals, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the overall use of single-occupancy vehicles. These goals are also intended to complement existing mobility investments within Vermont. The MTI Grant Program prioritizes several key focal areas. These include the extension and creation of new TDM programs, the development and marketing of TDM resources, the expansion of first-mile/last-mile programs, and providing support for employers and employees to adopt TDM measures. Furthermore, it encourages the implementation of planned TDM programs such as bike share, car share, and microtransit initiatives. Funds can be utilized for various purposes, including matching funds for other TDM grant awards, covering TDM program delivery costs, microtransit planning and implementation, and both capital and operational expenses. The program categorizes grants into Small (around $10,000), Medium (around $50,000), and Large (around $100,000+) to accommodate diverse project scopes. Expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to the performance metrics, which emphasize improved mobility and access, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a decrease in single-occupancy vehicle use. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate foundation, the Vermont Agency of Transportation's initiative implicitly operates on the theory that strategic investment in innovative transportation solutions and TDM will lead to measurable improvements in public mobility, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being by empowering transit-dependent populations and fostering more sustainable travel behaviors.

This grant provides funding to Vermont-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities to create accessible arts programs that engage diverse and underrepresented communities.

The Green Mountain Fund was established at the Vermont Community Foundation in 1993 to support charitable activities with a special interest in education and the children and families of Lamoille County. Grantmaking has since been expanded to include the neighboring communities of Craftsbury, Greensboro, and Hardwick. What We Fund The Green Mountain Fund’s areas of interest include: children, elderly and family services, education, environment, sustainability, and the arts. The Fund is interested in opportunities where a modest grant will have impact by leveraging a new idea or other dollars, or by making possible something that will benefit the children and families in the grantmaking region. The Fund supports projects in Lamoille County and the neighboring communities of Craftsbury, Greensboro, and Hardwick.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund (WCCF), administered by The Vermont Community Foundation, offers grants to address various charitable needs throughout Vermont. Its mission aligns with the Foundation's goal of supporting communities by focusing on key areas like the arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. A significant aspect of the WCCF's strategic priority is to support initiatives that address the needs of underserved populations within these focus areas. The fund also prioritizes proposals that foster cooperation, collaboration, and community building, reflecting a theory of change that emphasizes collective impact for broader community benefit. The WCCF aims to benefit organizations serving either a statewide constituency with a unique contribution to Vermont, or those located in or serving the populations of Addison County or Brandon. Approximately 70% of available funds are allocated to programs and projects in/or serving the Addison County/Brandon area, with the remaining 30% supporting statewide initiatives. This targeted approach seeks to achieve impact goals of strengthening local communities while also addressing broader state-level needs. Expected outcomes include enhanced access to arts, improved educational opportunities, preserved historical sites, and strengthened social services, particularly for underserved groups. The fund offers both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $25,000) grant requests. Small grants can be used for program/project support or general operating support, while large grants are strictly for program/project-specific initiatives and are reserved for organizations serving Addison County or Brandon. This structured approach to grant sizing and scope allows for both flexible support for smaller, local needs and more substantial, focused investments in specific projects with measurable results in the designated areas. The WCCF typically will not fund an entire project, preferring projects that demonstrate support from a variety of sources, which encourages broader community investment and sustainability. Eligibility for WCCF grants requires organizations to be located in or serve the people of Vermont, and to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public agency or municipality in Vermont. Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor. The foundation maintains a strict non-discrimination policy based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, and physical or mental ability, ensuring that its funding initiatives are inclusive and equitable. This commitment to non-discrimination reflects a core strategic priority to foster an inclusive Vermont where all individuals have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from community programs.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund offers large grants up to $25,000 for project-specific initiatives that align with Vermont's charitable needs in arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. This funding supports projects that promote community building and address the needs of underserved populations, specifically in Addison County or Brandon. Large grants require a focus on project-specific funding and do not support general operational costs.

The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund, managed by the Vermont Community Foundation, is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to organizations in selected Vermont cities, aiming to enhance the community's physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environment, with applications open until October 8, 2024.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is inviting applications for the Hardman Fund, aimed at enriching the lives of residents in North Adams, Florida, Clarksburg, MA, and Stamford, VT, by supporting nonprofit organizations that focus on arts, culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education, and the environment, with a special interest in initiatives that assist people in difficult economic circumstances and enrich the cultural and natural environment.