Vermont Arts Grants

This grant provides funding to Vermont nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to create arts-based programs that engage and support older adults through skill-building and social interaction.

This funding opportunity supports Vermont farms and food businesses in expanding their sales to local institutions like schools and hospitals, while increasing the amount of local food served in these facilities.

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.

This grant provides funding to early education programs in Vermont to enhance children's appreciation for the arts through partnerships with qualified teaching artists and arts organizations, particularly focusing on underserved communities.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is pleased to announce the 2025 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program. Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Transportation State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is designed to support innovative strategies and projects that improve mobility and access to services for transit-dependent Vermonters, reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MTI grant performance metrics are focused on the following goals: To improve mobility and access for transit dependent Vermonters Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles Complement existing mobility investments Focal Areas Extension of existing TDM programs Creation of new TDM programs Creation and marketing of TDM Resources Expansion of first mile/last mile programs Support for employers and/or employees to adopt TDM measures (including incentives), in collaboration with an existing or new TDM program provider Implementation of planned TDM programs (bike share, car share, microtransit, etc.) Funds Can Be Used For Match funds for other TDM grant awards TDM program delivery costs Microtransit Planning and Implementation Capital and operational expenses Categories  Categories and some suggested project types are outlined below. Small MTI Grants (Grant Amounts around $10,000)  Eligible projects under this category could include: Planning of new TDM programs or resources Expansion of first mile/last mile programs Creation and marketing of TDM Resources Medium MTI Grants (Grant Amounts around $50,000) Eligible projects under this category could include: Marketing and outreach of TDM programs Expansion of first mile/last mile programs Support for employers and/or employees to adopt TDM measures (including incentives) in collaboration with an existing or new TDM program provider Planning for TDM programs (bike share, car share, microtransit, etc.) Large MTI Grants (Grant Amounts around $100,000+)  Eligible projects under this category could include: Implementation Capital purchases Eligibility Criteria The grant applications are open to municipalities, local or regional planning agencies, transit agencies, school districts or schools, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups focused on providing public transportation resources. Private sector organizations, individuals, State and Federal agencies are not eligible to receive funds directly but may be partners of a project. For more information, visit Vermont Agency of Transportation.

The Vermont Community Foundation is seeking proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities that close the opportunity gap by supporting local efforts to foster inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. Donor Name: The Vermont Community Foundation State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Foundation recognizes the powerful leadership roles that local governments can play in removing structural barriers and building a more inclusive and diverse state, and want to support communities in fulfilling that potential. This grant program, which was developed in cooperation with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, is intended to support communities participating in the IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action, and Leadership) Vermont program. A limited number of grants continue to be available for communities not participating in the IDEAL program. The vision they hope to advance with this grant program is a Vermont where: All people feel connected to their communities, and do not feel afraid to visit, live, or conduct business in certain towns because of a reputation for exclusion, intolerance, or bias, nor because of a person’s own appearance Businesses and local governing bodies can easily recruit or be led by people who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) because they feel safe and supported as members of the community Educators, students, local leaders, and families have tools and resources to handle issues of discrimination, exclusion, intolerance, or bias as soon as they happen It doesn’t matter how long someone has lived here to be considered a part of the community. Funding Information This program will award grants of up to $10,000 for an 18-month project period. The Foundation funds  The Foundation recognizes that Vermont communities are starting in different places in their work on equity, inclusion, and belonging, and that communities will need different things at different times. They welcome communities at all stages of learning. They also acknowledge that a single project will not address all of a community’s equity and inclusion challenges, and that this work is an ongoing process, so they seek to fund proposals that help a municipality make progress in its learning and actions. Because of this, the program is open to a range of proposals that meet locally defined community needs. This may include: Requests for funding to support consultant-led work within a community introductory trainings on diversity, equity, and inclusion implicit bias trainings equity assessments planning efforts review of hiring practices Community-wide conversations Support for the creation and work of municipal equity committees Stipends for community members to be involved in the work (for example, so that people can take time off work, pay for child care or transportation, or otherwise have their time appropriately compensated) Or a combination of these activities. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants are Vermont cities, towns, and villages. Nonprofit organizations or community groups doing work on behalf of and in coordination with a city, town, or village may apply if a letter of support from the municipal partner is included Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit TVCF.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund (WCCF) makes grants to address charitable needs in the state of Vermont. Donor Name: The Vermont Community Foundation State: Vermont County: Addison County (VT) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priority interests are the arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. Within these issue areas, there is a strong desire to support work that addresses the needs of underserved populations. The WCCF prefers proposals that encourage cooperation, collaboration, and community building. Thye highly value the input of the Preservation Trust and strongly encourage grantseekers for historic preservation projects to consult with the Trust before submitting an application. The WCCF will rarely fund an entire project, but favors projects which have support from a variety of sources. Grants are made to organizations that either have a statewide constituency and make a unique contribution to Vermont, or are located in or serve the populations of Addison County or Brandon. Approximately 70% of funds available will be awarded to programs and projects in and/or serving the Addison County/Brandon area; the remaining 30% of available funds will support programs and projects serving a statewide constituency. The Fund will consider both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $25,000) grant requests. Organizations applying for a small grant are invited to request program/project support or general operating support. Requests for the large grant must be program/project-specific (large grants will not be awarded to general operating support requests) and must be from organizations serving Addison County or Brandon. Eligibility Requirements  Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor. No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available (meaning any funds having a competitive application process) by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation. If grant applicants employ staff or engage volunteers, they must do so and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability. For more information, visit VCF.

The Windham Foundation is seeking grant applications to enhance economic, cultural, and civic life in Vermont. Donor Name: Windham Foundation State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grants are awarded multiple times a year to support educational programs, local food initiatives, land conservation for public use, environmental protection, social services, cultural resources, and historic preservation. The grants program recognizes that the social and economic vitality of a town is maintained through many activities — social, cultural, and educational. The well-being of small towns comes through the success of local organizations involved in this work and the Foundation is proud to be their partner. Funding Guidelines Through its grant making, the Windham Foundation seeks to support organizations concerned with the needs and quality of life of Vermonters. Those organizations include, but are not limited to, those dealing with: Agricultural preservation and the food systems Environmental enhancement Education in the broadest sense Promotion of the arts, crafts and Vermont traditions Meeting basic human needs Historic Preservation where it serves a broad community purpose. In making decisions, the Foundation will look at an organization’s competence in the proposal area and its track record, the stability of its financial base and fundraising strategies, the strength of its leadership and the long-term viability of the program in question. Approximately $65,000 in grants will be awarded each quarter. An organization should apply no more than three consecutive years of funding. After three years, the organization should take at least one year off. Grant amounts rarely exceed $10,000 with an average of $2,500-$5,000 The Windham Foundation will not fund more than 50% of a project. The applicant should inform The Windham Foundation of confirmed and anticipated funding for the balance of the project. Project collaboration with other non-profit organizations where applicable should be encouraged. Show the specific project budget including expenses and anticipated project funding of $1,000 or more (they request copies of organization’s overall financial statements as part of the application). The Windham Foundation reserves the right to request a recent audit of a grantee organization. Grant recipients of $5,000 or more will be expected to report back to The Windham Foundation on success of project implementation. The types of proposals the Foundation funds are wide ranging. They include operational support, special initiatives, capacity building, matching and challenge grants. Support for operations will be considered where it strengthens organizational capacity. Eligibility Criteria  Qualified applicants must be either a private, non-profit organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or a public institution or entity. The organization, or program to be funded, must be in Vermont. An organization may submit only one application during a 12-month period. For more information, visit Windham Foundation.

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 Vermont Agency of Agriculture has entered into a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to administer the Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program in Vermont. Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (VAAFM) State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The program aims to: Promote development of Vermont value-added products; Support initiatives that provide fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities; Increase and diversify processing capacity across the state, with an emphasis on underserved communities; Improve the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of Vermont food products for local and regional markets; Target gaps and opportunities in pandemic assistance and existing USDA grant programs that support the agricultural supply chain. Funding will be focused on projects that: Improve job quality through increased wages, benefits, and/or worker safety and well being; Focus on small and medium-sized enterprises that expand services and product offerings for consumers and producers (with an emphasis on value-added products); Demonstrate local support for the project; Are submitted by cooperatives, farmer, and worker-owned enterprises. Funding Information Approximately $2,000,000 will be available for infrastructure projects. Grants can range from $100,000 – $500,000 and will run from fall 2024 through February 2027.  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be domestically owned, physically located in Vermont, and registered in Vermont with the Vermont Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a business name other than their own name must have their assumed business name (formerly known as a trade name) registered with the Vermont Secretary of State. Eligible entities can include: Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products. Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product. These include organizations such schools (K-12; colleges/universities), hospitals, food banks, gleaners, food rescue, workplace cafeterias, correctional facilities, farmers markets, and care centers (senior, preschools). For-profit entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products, whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers, and that meet the eligibility requirements of the Small Business Administration (SBA) small business size standards, matched to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. For more information, visit VAAFM.

Music Drives Us is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to inspire New England’s musicians of tomorrow by supporting their music opportunities today. Since 2006, Music Drives Us has donated millions in grants to hundreds of individuals, organizations, and schools throughout New England – empowering them to better teach the next generation of musicians. Now, in partnership with the State of Vermont, Music Drives Us is thrilled to provide grants to schools across the Green Mountain State to support their music programs, up to $100,000! Public and approved independent schools located in Vermont are welcome to apply below. Applications will be accepted from April 15 - May 13, 2024.

The Vermont Creative Aging FY2024 grant aims to support organizations in providing skill-based artistic activities that engage older adults aged 60 and above. The program encourages the creation of art and social interaction among seniors, with a funding scope that allows for activities led by experienced teaching artists. Grants of up to $6,000 are available for project activities scheduled between January 1, 2024, and August 31, 2024. The grant supports programs that enhance emotional well-being, cognitive and physical health, and social engagement of older adults through art. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities within Vermont, promoting collaborations that increase accessibility and engagement in creative endeavors for seniors. Grant renewed every year.

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 Cultural Facilities Grants are designed to support Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities in enhancing, creating, or expanding the capacity of existing buildings to offer cultural activities to the public. These activities broadly include artistic, creative, aesthetic, historic, or scholarly events such as performances, exhibits, readings, film screenings, workshops, and more. Eligible projects may involve improvements to wiring, heating, lighting, plumbing, accessibility features, stage enhancements, permanent display installations, environmental controls, hazard mitigation, and energy efficiency upgrades. The grant period is set from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, and includes a mandatory match on a 1:1 basis with specific requirements for cash and in-kind contributions. Applications are encouraged from entities that own a facility in Vermont that has been in existence for at least ten years.

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.

Vermont's Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) Grant Program offers grants of up to $8,000 per farm operation per State fiscal year. The program supports practices such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, conservation tillage, and manure injection to improve water quality and comply with state agricultural water quality regulations. Additionally, the program provides funding for educational and instructional activities aimed at raising awareness about the impact of agricultural practices on water quality.

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.

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.