Vermont Private Grants

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Vermont that create programs addressing economic, educational, and social barriers faced by women and girls, particularly those impacted by systemic racism and sexism.

This program provides financial support to established small businesses in Portsmouth to help them grow and expand their operations.

This program provides financial assistance to new and emerging for-profit small businesses and non-profits in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and strengthen their operations.

This program provides financial support to businesses and commercial property owners in Portsmouth for improving their properties' appearance and functionality, fostering economic growth and community appeal.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont artists at any career stage for skill development, business growth, and recovery from the impacts of the 2024 floods.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Vermont that deliver educational, health, and arts programs for underserved communities, with a focus on healthcare, domestic violence awareness, and environmental conservation.

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.

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 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 matching funds to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Vermont for various historic preservation projects, such as exterior restoration and structural repairs.

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 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 grant provides financial support to Vermont nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that hinder their ability to deliver essential services related to basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and health.

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 AARP Vermont Winter Placemaking Grant Program, open to eligible local organizations and communities, offers financial support ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for projects aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and appeal of spaces for older adults, with a focus on enhancing community design and livability during the winter months.

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

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.