Vermont Community Development Grants

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 funding opportunity supports rural communities in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont by providing financial assistance for projects that stimulate economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance local services in areas with fewer than 5,000 residents.

This program provides funding for applied research and demonstration projects that utilize advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure, prioritizing initiatives that enhance resilience to extreme weather and support economically distressed communities.

This program provides funding and resources to public elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire with high needs, aiming to improve literacy among students through books and engaging literacy activities.

This program provides funding to support community development, workforce training, and sustainable business initiatives in the forest-based economy of rural areas in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.

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 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 funding opportunity supports community and educational initiatives in Vermont that promote humanities engagement, particularly for under-resourced or rural populations, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that improve the well-being of children and families in specific towns across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Martha’s Vineyard.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by supporting collaborations among academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to develop sustainable research infrastructure.

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 funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and public entities in implementing programs that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and historically underserved communities.

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 funding initiative provides financial support for projects that enhance the agricultural, forestry, and commercial fishing industries in the Northeast, focusing on education, marketing, and leadership development.

This grant provides funding to Vermont-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and public entities for essential equipment that supports programs aimed at preventing challenges faced by children and youth aged 0–18.

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

We look for proposals that will allow an organization to address these types of short-term needs: Emergency repairs of building structure or mechanical systems (heating/cooling, water service, etc.) whose sudden and unexpected failure interferes with the provision of services. Examples of a grant of this nature would be costs for a roof repair resulting from an extreme weather event at a social service provider or the mitigation of a water supply that has been deemed unusable in a food shelf. Replacement of essential equipment and technology whose sudden and unexpected failure interferes with the provision of services. An example would a crisis hotline phone system that fails without warning, or a stove at a homeless shelter that breaks just outside of the warranty period but well before the end of its expected life. Provision of services or acquisition of a resource that could not have been anticipated or budgeted, and without which the work of the organization would be severely hampered. An example of this type of grant is training on post-traumatic stress disorder for school guidance counselors supporting children in towns severely impacted by disaster. Another example is staffing a temporary replacement while an organization’s executive director is on emergency medical leave.

The Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) announces the availability of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for the Presidential Declaration DR-4720 Severe Flooding. Up to $64,170,000 is available for hazard mitigation projects and up to $4,830,000 for planning activities. The program supports projects aimed at enhancing resilience, reducing loss of life, and minimizing damages to property. Eligible applicants include local governments, state agencies, and certain non-profits performing government-like functions. Priority is given to projects that benefit frontline and disadvantaged communities and those that align with the Vermont State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Pre-applications are accepted on a continual basis until August 16, 2024. Projects must be proven cost-effective through a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA). VEM provides technical assistance throughout the application process. HMGP funding is available statewide and does not need to be related to damages from the July 2023 flood.

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 caitlin.corkins@vermont.gov.

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.