Vermont Private Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

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.

The program will fund work that increases the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofits through: Strategic planning initiatives to clarify mission, goals, and performance measures; Financial sustainability planning, including diversification of revenue streams, resulting in embedded fundraising/development skills, plans or techniques; Merger planning and implementation; and Diversity, equity and inclusion policy development and implementation. To do great work, nonprofits and municipalities need strong leaders, clear plans, efficient systems, and a robust, diversified revenue stream. This takes investment in staff and time to explore and plan—something for which many nonprofits on limited or restricted budgets have few resources to spare. In response to this gap in the resources needed to strengthen organizations, the Vermont Community Foundation has created a small fund to help. The application is designed to be easy to complete and notification is within 6-8 weeks. We welcome applications to support your organization’s planning needs around achieving your mission, through strategic planning, merger conversations, or similar efforts. Grants will be no more than $5,000 each and will support the cost of consultants for the activities below. These grants are meant to supplement other funding, as we understand that this amount is typically not enough to cover the full cost of providing these services. In the project budget, please show the additional revenue sources to be used for this work, both pending and secured. We welcome the use of these funds as challenge grants to secure the additional funds. The program will prioritize applicants with operating budgets of $500,000 or less.

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 Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF), managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), seeks to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This grant program, with approximately $12 million available in 2024, aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to test innovative conservation approaches, deliver transformative projects, and engage communities that value and protect the Sound. Major funding is provided by EPA through the LISS, with additional support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation, demonstrating a collaborative strategic approach to environmental conservation. The LISFF targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. The impact goals are centered on improving water quality, enhancing and restoring coastal habitats, and fostering sustainable and resilient communities around the Long Island Sound. The program’s strategic priorities are guided by the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP), which emphasizes three core themes: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife, and Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Cross-cutting principles of resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice are also integral to the program's theory of change. Under the "Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds" theme, the program prioritizes reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading. This includes funding for "shovel-ready" projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly those addressing water quality at a larger scale. Planning activities, such as community engagement, feasibility studies, site assessments, conceptual design, and final design and permitting, are also supported. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) are specifically focused on quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient prevention with a documented benefit to Long Island Sound. The "Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife" theme focuses on enhancing or restoring coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function, supporting fish, bird, and wildlife populations, and sustaining the Sound's ecological balance. This involves implementing "shovel-ready" habitat restoration and nature-based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects, as well as planning activities for such projects. The program also aims to foster diverse, balanced, and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife, encouraging proposals that consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines. The "Sustainable and Resilient Communities" theme supports vibrant, informed, and engaged communities through projects that offer hands-on conservation experiences. Expected outcomes include quantifiable pollutant reductions, enhanced and restored coastal habitats, increased resilience to climate change, and more engaged communities actively participating in the Sound's protection and sustainability. For water quality projects, measurable results will include quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly nitrogen/nutrient reductions. For habitat projects, long-term maintenance plans and ecological improvements are expected. The LISFF's strategic framework, rooted in the CCMP, aims to accelerate local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, environmental justice, and community outreach, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive, and resilient Long Island Sound for both people and wildlife.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

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.

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.

The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation invites applications for its Equity and Justice Grant to support Vermont based, Vermont focused nonprofit organizations addressing racial, economic, social, and environmental disparities and injustice. The foundation seeks innovative programs that pursue fundamental change through a social justice and equity lens. Grants are up to 15,000 dollars, with an average award of about 10,000 dollars. Funding preference is given to efforts such as equity in education and early childcare, access to safe and affordable housing, criminal justice reform, workers’ rights, and equitable access to healthy and affordable food. Eligible applicants are Vermont based 501(c)(3) organizations or projects represented by a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent with total annual operating budgets under 350,000 dollars. The program does not fund requests that solely provide direct services, discretionary or emergency requests, schools, colleges or universities, individuals or scholarships, research or legal expenses, capital or endowment campaigns, government programs, businesses or associations, religious activities, one time events, other foundations or regranting organizations, or work outside Vermont. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the foundation’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official information is available from the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation.

The Tarrant Foundation awards between 50 – 70 competitive grants annually. Because we believe we can have the most impact by concentrating these funds in Vermont, applications are accepted only from Vermont organizations. Working-Age Adults: Employment and Financial Independence We support strategies that promote and facilitate the journey to economic independence, and that ultimately reduce reliance on public assistance. Our focus includes: job training/retention, financial literacy, homelessness prevention, and community-based addiction recovery.

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 licensed dairy processors and brands in the Northeast to initiate or expand co-packing arrangements, scale production, and enhance their product offerings.

This program provides funding to early-career researchers in New England to support innovative studies that improve child health outcomes.

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 funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations focused on wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and outdoor recreation projects in Northern New England, particularly in the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine regions.

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 funding initiative supports Vermont-based nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community groups in creating interactive arts projects that promote community engagement and social connection, particularly for historically marginalized groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that empower youth through physical fitness, literacy, and community engagement initiatives, particularly in New England.

This award recognizes and rewards private landowners in New England who implement exceptional conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their farms, ranches, or forestlands.