Financial Services Education and Victim Restitution Special Fund

The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation administers a Financial Services Education and Victim Restitution Special Fund, established in 2019, to support initiatives that improve financial literacy and protect residents from fraud and scams. This micro grant opportunity is authorized under Vermont statutes and is funded through a portion of settlements resulting from enforcement actions. The program reflects the Department’s broader mission to promote financial preparedness and consumer protection across the state by partnering with community based organizations capable of delivering targeted education. The purpose of the micro grant program is to support small scale, high impact initiatives that increase financial awareness among Vermonters. These initiatives may include innovative pilot programs, one time events, or short duration educational efforts focused on responsible use of financial products, fraud prevention, and general financial literacy. The program emphasizes outreach to underserved or historically disadvantaged populations and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their initiative fills gaps not addressed by other funding sources. Funding for micro grants is available for up to 10000 dollars per application. These funds are intended to support direct programmatic activities, and unlike standard grants, indirect costs are not allowable expenses under the micro grant category. Applicants must clearly describe how funds will be used and provide a detailed budget outlining expenditures tied specifically to the proposed initiative. The program is discretionary, and awards are contingent upon available funding and alignment with Department priorities. Eligibility is limited to governmental and nonprofit organizations, including public schools and public institutions of higher education. Entities from regulated industries such as banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and securities firms are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Applicants must also meet state level pre award eligibility requirements and undergo a risk based assessment conducted by the Agency of Administration. While low or moderate risk applicants are preferred, high risk applicants may still be considered if deemed in the best interest of the state. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal addressing a structured set of questions. Applicants must describe the educational initiative in detail, identify the intended audience, outline delivery methods and materials, and demonstrate how performance targets will be measured. At least one measurable performance target is required for micro grant applications. Additional requirements include staffing plans, partnership descriptions, outreach strategies, and compliance systems for tracking grant funds and outcomes. Applications must be submitted via email in Word or PDF format. The current funding cycle opened on July 6, 2026, with a submission deadline of July 31, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced in Fall 2026, with funded programs occurring during late 2026 or the first half of 2027. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the program contact via the provided email address. The program operates on a recurring basis, with periodic funding cycles released by the Department. Evaluation criteria include innovation, collaboration, demonstrated need, and likelihood of success based on past performance. Preference is given to initiatives that would not occur without grant funding and that leverage partnerships to expand impact. Through this program, the Department aims to strengthen financial education infrastructure across Vermont while addressing evolving risks related to fraud and financial exploitation.

Focus on measurable outcomes, demonstrate unmet need, highlight partnerships, and show initiative would not exist without funding