Vermont Infrastructure Grants

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is inviting applications for the Hardman Fund, aimed at enriching the lives of residents in North Adams, Florida, Clarksburg, MA, and Stamford, VT, by supporting nonprofit organizations that focus on arts, culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education, and the environment, with a special interest in initiatives that assist people in difficult economic circumstances and enrich the cultural and natural environment.

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.

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 Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.

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 provides financial support to Vermont municipalities, nonprofits, and government entities for the development, restoration, and maintenance of public recreational trails, including projects for both motorized and non-motorized use.

This program provides financial assistance to Vermont municipalities for implementing road improvements that reduce erosion and enhance water quality in compliance with environmental regulations.

This program provides financial support to Vermont's agricultural fairs and field days, helping them with infrastructure projects and operational costs to promote local agriculture and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to choreographers in New England for projects that enhance their dance practice or advance their careers, with grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 for various artistic endeavors.

This grant provides matching funds to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Vermont for various historic preservation projects, such as exterior restoration and structural repairs.

This grant provides funding for Vermont-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and municipalities to integrate public art into community infrastructure projects, enhancing local vibrancy and identity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Vermont healthcare providers in rural areas for acquiring AI-powered transcription and scribe technologies to improve patient care and reduce administrative burdens.

This funding opportunity is designed for Vermont-based nonprofit organizations and municipalities to improve and expand cultural facilities that host artistic and community events.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont-based farms and forest businesses to improve their infrastructure, expand market reach, and enhance workforce development, fostering a sustainable working landscape economy.

This program provides financial support to municipalities in Vermont to improve water quality and protect the scenic and natural resources of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers.

This grant provides funding for community-based programs in Vermont that support children and families by preventing issues like juvenile delinquency and substance misuse, with a focus on promoting equity and positive family functioning.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Vermont that deliver educational, health, and arts programs for underserved communities, with a focus on healthcare, domestic violence awareness, and environmental conservation.

This grant provides financial support to Vermont's conservation districts, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations for projects that improve water quality and protect the state's water resources.