Vermont Grants

This program provides funding to universities in eligible states to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering that support the needs of the Department of Defense.

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation is requesting applications for its Equity & Justice Grant. Donor Name: Ben & Jerry’s Foundation State: Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Each summer, the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation offers grants of up to $15,000, with an average grant size of $10,000, to Vermont-based, Vermont-focused, non-profit organizations working to address racial, economic, social, and environmental disparities and injustice in Vermont. They will seek out innovative programs that are working toward fundamental change in Vermont and that approach their work through the lens of social justice and equity. Priorities  Funding preference will be given to organizations whose areas of interest may include, but are not limited to: Equity in education and early childcare Equity in access to safe and affordable housing Criminal justice reform Workers’ rights and Equity in access to healthy and affordable food. Eligibility Requirements  To be considered for funding, each applicant organization must be: Located in Vermont. A Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization. Represented by a fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status. Organizations with Total Annual Operating Budgets under $350,000. Ineligibility  Unfortunately, they cannot consider requests for: Programs that solely provide direct services to individuals Discretionary or emergency requests Schools Colleges or universities Individuals or scholarship programs Research, litigation or legal expenses Capital or endowment campaigns State agencies or government-sponsored programs Businesses or business associations Religious activities One time events Other foundations or regranting organizations Organizations or programs that are focused or based outside the state of Vermont. For more information, visit BJF.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with approximately $12 million for grants in 2024. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/13/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation. Program Priorities  The LISFF supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects and support people and communities who value the Sound and take a role in its future. A road map guiding investments under the LISFF is the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP). The Long Island Sound Futures Fund invests in projects under three CCMP themes shown below, in CCMP Implementation Actions (IAs) associated with each theme, and in three CCMP cross-cutting principles: resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice all defined in the CCMP. The most competitive proposals will be those that incorporate theme(s), IA(s) and one or more cross-cutting principle(s) of the CCMP. CCMP THEME: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds – Improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading into Long Island Sound through: Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention. The most competitive projects will be those that address water quality at a larger or more comprehensive scale such as a neighborhood, waterfront or downtown. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance. Planning activities that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permitting. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) of the Long Island Sound Watershed must have a specific outcome related to nitrogen/nutrient prevention as a result of project activities through: Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance of the site.  Projects must quantify nitrogen/nutrient reductions in metrics. Planning for activities that set-the-stage for implementation of quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits. Projects must document the benefit to downstream Long Island Sound such as by indicating how the project addresses a source of nitrogen/nutrient pollution, project location and how the design of the project and its implementation will effectively reduce downstream pollution loading. CCMP THEME: Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife – 1) enhance or restore coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function and to support populations of fish, birds and wildlife; and 2) sustain the ecological balance of the Sound in a healthy, productive and resilient state for the benefit of people, wildlife and the natural environment. Implementing “shovel-ready” projects habitat restoration and/or nature based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance. Planning that sets-the-stage for implementation of projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits. Fostering diverse, balanced and abundant populations of fish, birds and wildlife. Consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines to inform development of a proposal. CCMP THEME: Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Support vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect and sustain the Sound. Projects providing hands-on conservation experiences will be more competitive. Funding Information With funding of approximately $12 million for projects in 2024, there are multiple funding categories under the LISFF each with a different range of grant funding. Implementation Projects: $50,000 to $1.5 million for projects with particularly high environmental community benefit relative to cost, including: Water quality, habitat restoration, and resilience projects. Projects with the greatest promise to demonstrate, influence, pilot, innovate, and/or provide a proof of concept with the aim of accelerating local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, Environmental Justice and/or community and public outreach and engagement. Design/Planning Projects: $50,000 to $500,000 for: Water quality or habitat restoration projects. Watershed plans. Community resilience/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans. Project Period Projects must start within six months and be completed within 24 months after notification of grant award. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local government, municipal government, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. For more information, visit NFWF.

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 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.

The State-funded Historic Preservation Grant Program, managed by the Division for Historic Preservation, provides financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Vermont for the rehabilitation of historic buildings located in downtowns, villages, and rural communities. The program offers competitive 50/50 matching grants of up to $20,000 for the repair and restoration of historic features in buildings such as town halls, museums, theaters, libraries, and recreation centers. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and municipalities that own properties in Vermont that are at least 50 years old and listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The grants are reimbursement-based, requiring recipients to cover the full project costs upfront, with the State reimbursing them upon project completion and submission of required paperwork. Annually, the program has $200,000 in grant funds available, subject to legislative approval. The next grant cycle will be announced in August 2024, with applications due in October 2024. For notifications and further details, contact Caitlin Corkins, Tax Credits & Grants Coordinator, at 802-828-3047 or [email protected].

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups in New England that focus on environmental initiatives and social justice, providing financial assistance for projects led by volunteers or small teams.

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. Seniors: Comfort and Dignity in Aging We believe in ensuring that seniors’ most basic needs are met, and in community-based supports that promote wellbeing and fight the premature limitation of independence. Our focus includes: independent living, nutrition, and activity & enrichment.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont-based nonprofits focused on youth development, economic independence for working adults, senior care, and community enhancement initiatives.

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.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

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 grant provides financial support to community-based nature and land conservation organizations in New England and upper New York State to advance impactful conservation projects that benefit the environment and local communities.

This grant provides funding to small grassroots nonprofit organizations in Vermont, North Carolina, Southwest Virginia, and New York City that are focused on creating equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges.

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 fund provides financial support to public, municipal, and school libraries in Vermont to enhance literacy programs and reading engagement for young adults through innovative projects and activities.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that foster collaboration and partnerships to create a significant impact in their communities.

This funding opportunity provides up to $250 for individuals or small groups in Burlington's Old North End to complete neighborhood projects or events that foster community engagement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits and community initiatives in Vermont that aim to improve economic equity, education, health, and community leadership to help close the opportunity gap.

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.