Vermont grants for County governments

The Arts Operating Grant provides financial support to arts organizations in Vermont, aimed at those offering year-round, high-quality arts programs and services that align with the mission of advancing arts and creativity throughout the state. This initiative supports Outcome Three of the Arts Council's Strategic Framework, focusing on building vibrant and creative communities through organizations and artists. For FY2025, the grant offers one-year operating funds to eligible organizations demonstrating significant community involvement and partnerships with civic, non-arts, and educational entities to ensure broad access to arts and creativity. Applicants must choose between applying for an Arts Operating Grant or an Arts Project Grant and cannot be current three-year operating grantees. Grant renewed every year.

The 2025 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program, offered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, is designed to foster innovative strategies and projects aimed at improving mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, while simultaneously working to reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program aligns with a broader mission to create more sustainable and accessible transportation options within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are transit-dependent Vermonters, along with employers and employees seeking to adopt Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures. The grant's impact goals are clearly defined, focusing on enhancing mobility and access for these transit-dependent individuals, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the overall use of single-occupancy vehicles. These goals are also intended to complement existing mobility investments within Vermont. The MTI Grant Program prioritizes several key focal areas. These include the extension and creation of new TDM programs, the development and marketing of TDM resources, the expansion of first-mile/last-mile programs, and providing support for employers and employees to adopt TDM measures. Furthermore, it encourages the implementation of planned TDM programs such as bike share, car share, and microtransit initiatives. Funds can be utilized for various purposes, including matching funds for other TDM grant awards, covering TDM program delivery costs, microtransit planning and implementation, and both capital and operational expenses. The program categorizes grants into Small (around $10,000), Medium (around $50,000), and Large (around $100,000+) to accommodate diverse project scopes. Expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to the performance metrics, which emphasize improved mobility and access, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a decrease in single-occupancy vehicle use. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate foundation, the Vermont Agency of Transportation's initiative implicitly operates on the theory that strategic investment in innovative transportation solutions and TDM will lead to measurable improvements in public mobility, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being by empowering transit-dependent populations and fostering more sustainable travel behaviors.

Northeast Delta Dental is accepting applications for grants focused on increasing access to, and the quality of, oral health care in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Grants are available to organizations that meet specific criteria, including having nonprofit status (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)), not discriminating on the basis of race, sex, religion, or other protected classes, and being involved in projects that address oral health needs. Funding will support initiatives such as educational programs on oral health, preventive oral health care programs, dental clinics aiming to make care more accessible, education and continuing education of dental health professionals, and research to improve oral health.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

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 funding to Vermont-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities to create accessible arts programs that engage diverse and underrepresented communities.

This track of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program provides approximately $1 million for grants aimed at purchasing equipment necessary for the middle of the food supply chain activities in Vermont. The grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Applications for this track are set to open in late August 2024 and close in early October 2024, with grant activities beginning in early 2025.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund (WCCF), administered by The Vermont Community Foundation, offers grants to address various charitable needs throughout Vermont. Its mission aligns with the Foundation's goal of supporting communities by focusing on key areas like the arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. A significant aspect of the WCCF's strategic priority is to support initiatives that address the needs of underserved populations within these focus areas. The fund also prioritizes proposals that foster cooperation, collaboration, and community building, reflecting a theory of change that emphasizes collective impact for broader community benefit. The WCCF aims to benefit organizations serving either a statewide constituency with a unique contribution to Vermont, or those located in or serving the populations of Addison County or Brandon. Approximately 70% of available funds are allocated to programs and projects in/or serving the Addison County/Brandon area, with the remaining 30% supporting statewide initiatives. This targeted approach seeks to achieve impact goals of strengthening local communities while also addressing broader state-level needs. Expected outcomes include enhanced access to arts, improved educational opportunities, preserved historical sites, and strengthened social services, particularly for underserved groups. The fund offers both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $25,000) grant requests. Small grants can be used for program/project support or general operating support, while large grants are strictly for program/project-specific initiatives and are reserved for organizations serving Addison County or Brandon. This structured approach to grant sizing and scope allows for both flexible support for smaller, local needs and more substantial, focused investments in specific projects with measurable results in the designated areas. The WCCF typically will not fund an entire project, preferring projects that demonstrate support from a variety of sources, which encourages broader community investment and sustainability. Eligibility for WCCF grants requires organizations to be located in or serve the people of Vermont, and to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public agency or municipality in Vermont. Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor. The foundation maintains a strict non-discrimination policy based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, and physical or mental ability, ensuring that its funding initiatives are inclusive and equitable. This commitment to non-discrimination reflects a core strategic priority to foster an inclusive Vermont where all individuals have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from community programs.

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. Youth: Resilience and Aspiration Our primary interest here is programs that support school-age youth to develop the dispositions, skills and resources they will need to move productively into adulthood. Our focus includes: achievement gap, job readiness, mentoring, out-of-school time, financial literacy, emergency & transitional housing, and community–based addiction recovery.

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 Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

The Connection, Health, & Equity through Food (CHEF) Grant Program is a collaborative initiative across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Eastern Massachusetts, and Upstate New York, administered by the Maine Council on Aging. The program's core mission is to increase older adults’ equitable access to healthy food and social connection, aligning with a broader goal of addressing systemic issues like food insecurity and social isolation. This grant program seeks to support older adults by fostering programmatic infrastructure, expanding existing programs, and launching innovative new initiatives that cater to their food and social connection needs. The target beneficiaries of the CHEF Grant Program are primarily older adults, with a specific focus on underserved and marginalized populations. These include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, women, veterans, people living with disabilities, and individuals residing in rural communities. The program's impact goals are centered on enhancing the quality of life for these older adults by improving their access to nutritious food and opportunities for social engagement. Projects that serve diverse older people, veterans, and older people living with disabilities are given priority. The CHEF program prioritizes finding solutions to the root causes of food insecurity and social isolation. These root causes include poverty, transportation barriers, rurality, and language barriers. While the grant does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or a formal theory of change, the emphasis on equitable access, addressing systemic issues, and supporting vulnerable populations suggests a strategy focused on community-based interventions and empowerment. The program's design indicates a theory that by investing in local organizations and initiatives, significant improvements can be made in the well-being of older adults. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food for older adults, enhanced social connections within communities, and a reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity and social isolation among the target populations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the program's focus on data for older people served (50.1% of the overall population served) suggests an intent to track the reach and impact on the primary beneficiary group. The grant duration is not mentioned, but the anticipated grant size of $2,000 – $10,000 for most grants indicates support for projects with tangible, localized impacts.

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, funded by the USDA, allocates approximately $2 million for infrastructure grants to Vermont businesses and organizations aiming to strengthen local and regional food systems. The grants support projects that improve the aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transporting, and wholesaling of Vermont food products. This track encourages development of Vermont value-added products and promotes fair wages and job creation. A 50% match is required, which can be reduced to 25% for historically underserved farmers. Grants range from $100,000 to $500,000 and are available from fall 2024 through February 2027.

This funding opportunity is designed to support businesses, organizations, and individuals in Vermont working to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops through various projects that benefit multiple stakeholders in the agricultural community.

This grant provides financial support to established livestock farmers in select New England counties to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups with limited resources to launch new environmental projects or significantly shift existing ones, focusing on those that amplify diverse voices and address environmental justice issues.

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 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 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.