Vermont Recreation Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Vermont municipalities, nonprofits, and government entities for the development, restoration, and maintenance of public recreational trails, including projects for both motorized and non-motorized activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. states, territories, and eligible Indian tribes for implementing approved plans to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species.

This grant provides funding for projects that engage Vermonters in addressing social and environmental issues within their communities.

This program provides funding to local organizations in Waterbury to support recreational activities and projects that engage the community.

This program provides funding for tree planting projects in Vermont to improve urban green spaces, manage stormwater, and promote public health, targeting municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions.

The Vermont Community Foundation's grant program seeks proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities to close the opportunity gap by fostering inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to support local governments in removing structural barriers and building a more inclusive and diverse state. Developed in collaboration with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, the program primarily supports communities participating in the IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action, and Leadership) Vermont program, though limited grants are also available for non-participating communities. The target beneficiaries of this program are all people within Vermont communities, particularly those who may feel excluded, discriminated against, or fear visiting, living, or conducting business due to a reputation for exclusion, intolerance, or bias. The program specifically aims to benefit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals by ensuring they feel safe and supported, thereby enabling their recruitment and leadership in businesses and local governing bodies. The overall impact goal is to cultivate communities where all residents feel connected and safe, regardless of their background or how long they have resided there. The program prioritizes a range of activities designed to meet locally defined community needs. These include funding for consultant-led work, such as introductory and implicit bias trainings, equity assessments, planning efforts, and reviews of hiring practices. Additionally, the program focuses on supporting community-wide conversations, the creation and work of municipal equity committees, and providing stipends for community members to ensure their involvement is appropriately compensated (e.g., for time off work, childcare, or transportation). This flexible approach acknowledges that communities are at different stages in their equity journey and require varied support. Expected outcomes include a reduction in feelings of fear or exclusion within communities, increased recruitment and leadership of BIPOC individuals in local businesses and governance, and enhanced capacity for educators, students, local leaders, and families to address discrimination and bias effectively. Measurable results will stem from the progress municipalities make in their learning and actions related to equity and inclusion. While not explicitly detailing a 'theory of change,' the Foundation's strategic priority is clearly to empower local governments as leaders in fostering a more equitable and inclusive Vermont by providing resources that facilitate ongoing progress rather than expecting a single project to resolve all challenges.

This grant provides funding for research projects that enhance the health of the Lake Champlain Basin, focusing on climate change adaptation, water quality, and community resilience, and is open to universities, nonprofits, and businesses in Vermont and New York.

This grant provides financial support to schools, nonprofits, and municipal entities in Poultney and nearby communities for projects that enhance educational opportunities, family services, and community sustainability.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations and schools in New Hampshire and Vermont to create engaging literacy projects that inspire children and their families to develop a love for reading and writing.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont organizations that offer business services to agricultural and forestry businesses, as well as to producer associations that promote and represent the state's agricultural and forestry products.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for various charitable activities, including capital projects and youth campership programs.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions for projects that restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to support diverse wildlife in the Northeast.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the design and removal of dams in Vermont, aimed at improving water quality and enhancing public access to waterways.

This funding opportunity is designed for Vermont-based nonprofit organizations and municipalities to improve and expand cultural facilities that host artistic and community events.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont-based artists and artist groups for the creation of new works of art, covering expenses such as materials, studio space, and the artist's time.

This program provides financial support to municipalities in Vermont to improve water quality and protect the scenic and natural resources of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers.

This grant provides funding to community-based programs in Vermont that support children and families by preventing issues like juvenile delinquency and substance misuse, with a focus on promoting equity and positive family functioning.

This grant provides funding to government entities and nonprofit organizations for projects that protect land, enhance community resilience, and support conservation planning in the Appalachian Trail region.