Best Bennington County Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

About PLTW EngineeringPLTW Engineering students adopt a problem-solving mindset, are engaged in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers, and are prepared with skills to step into any career path they take. Lockheed Martin has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in adding PLTW.Since 2007, Lockheed Martin has partnered with PLTW to address the nation's critical need for future engineers, computer scientists, and math- and science-trained professionals, and to equip all students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Lockheed Martin supports PLTW programs in school districts across the nation and has contributed to the development of PLTW's middle school and high school courses focused on aerospace engineering and flight. Since the first school district partnership in 2014, over 855 PLTW programs have been implemented and more than 145,328 students have gained access to PLTW.Program Requirements:Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year. Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering course of their choosing. Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $10,000
  • 2027-2028: $10,000

Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation

Funding from Vermont’s allocation of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust is now available to help public and private fleets of all sizes replace diesel vehicles and equipment with zero-emission options. Beginning July 1st, Vermont DEC is accepting applications for vehicle and equipment electrification projects. Applications are due on the last day of each month, with awards announced monthly.

What is the purpose of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust?

The purpose of the environmental mitigation trust is to fund eligible mitigation actions that replace mobile diesel emission sources with cleaner technology to mitigate the harm caused by the excess nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by the affected VW vehicles. The partial settlement is structured to provide jurisdictions with the ability to select and implement eligible mitigation actions funded by the mitigation trust. The trust will be administered by an independent trustee appointed by the court, Wilmington Trust. Vermont was certified as a beneficiary of the trust January 31, 2018. Beneficiaries will have 10 years to request their allocation and implement mitigation actions.

How Much Funding is Available?

A total of $3,329,677 is available for projects that significantly reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, engines, and equipment operating in Vermont. The amount of funding remaining will be updated monthly as awards are made.

About PLTW Computer SciencePLTW Computer Science students are technology trailblazers who are empowered through transportable skills and prepared to start their career, whether that is in computer science or not.

Lockheed Martin has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in adding PLTW.

Since 2007, Lockheed Martin has partnered with PLTW to address the nation's critical need for future engineers, computer scientists, and math- and science-trained professionals, and to equip all students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Lockheed Martin supports PLTW programs in school districts across the nation and has contributed to the development of PLTW's middle school and high school courses focused on aerospace engineering and flight. Since the first school district partnership in 2014, over 855 PLTW programs have been implemented and more than 145,328 students have gained access to PLTW.Program Requirements:

• Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Computer Science program.
  • Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Computer Science course not previously offered,
  • and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Computer Science courses previously offered,
  • and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Computer Science courses for the 2027-2028 academic year. 

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $10,000
  • 2027-2028: $10,000

About PLTW Computer SciencePLTW Computer Science students are technology trailblazers who are empowered through transportable skills and prepared to start their career, whether that is in computer science or not.

Lockheed Martin has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in adding PLTW.Since 2007, Lockheed Martin has partnered with PLTW to address the nation's critical need for future engineers, computer scientists, and math- and science-trained professionals, and to equip all students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Lockheed Martin supports PLTW programs in school districts across the nation and has contributed to the development of PLTW's middle school and high school courses focused on aerospace engineering and flight. Since the first school district partnership in 2014, over 855 PLTW programs have been implemented and more than 145,328 students have gained access to PLTW.Program Requirements:

• Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Computer Science course in the 2027-2028 academic year.
• Grantee may implement any PLTW Computer Science course of their choosing

Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $10,000
  • 2027-2028: $10,000

The scholarships and fellowships provide recipients with the opportunity to attend and explore the operation of the field at the NRPA Annual Conference. A primary focus is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts with leadership and members from around the nation. Recipients receive complimentary NRPA Annual Conference registration and a travel stipend.

Young Professional Fellowships

The fellowship provides selected young professionals (up to 4) with the opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference through the support of Sourcewell. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts.

Vermont Agency of Education

The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure all Vermont learners have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency accomplishes this mission through the provision of its leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.

Local Foods Incentive Grant — Baseline Year Grant

This Local Foods Incentive Grant was created by the Vermont Legislature in Act 67 and signed by Governor Scott on June 8, 2021. Section 4 of Act 64 expanded eligibility for the Local Foods Incentive. There is $500,000 per year appropriated to the Local Foods Incentive. Supervisory Unions (SUs), School Districts (SDs), and approved independent schools that qualify for the universal meals supplement are eligible to participate in the Local Foods Incentive. Independent schools that are not eligible for the universal meals supplement are not eligible for this grant. 

The first year a School Food Authority (SFA) applies for the Local Foods Incentive is considered the Baseline Year, in which there are four grant requirements. Achieving a specific local purchasing threshold is not required for the Baseline Year grant. SFAs may elect to apply for their Baseline Year grant of the Local Foods Incentive during any year. Whenever a SFA chooses to participate, they will begin in the Baseline Year. Once a Baseline Year grant is awarded, a SFA may not apply again for a Baseline Year grant.  

• Successful applicants in the Baseline Year of the Local Foods Incentive Grant will be awarded $0.15 per lunch served during the previous school year under the National School Lunch Program regardless of the amount of locally produced foods purchased by the SFA.
  • If grant awards exceed the total appropriated funds, awards will be prorated.  

Vermont Agency of Education

The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure all Vermont learners have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency accomplishes this mission through the provision of its leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.

Local Foods Incentive Grant — Subsequent Year Grant

After the Baseline Year, SFAs may apply annually for Subsequent Year grants. SFAs are required to achieve a locally produced foods percentage of at least 15% in order to receive a grant award. The locally produced foods percentage is calculated by taking the total cost of foods qualifying as local and dividing that by your total food costs. If a SFA applies for a Subsequent Year grant one year, or chooses to skip a year, the SFA is still eligible to apply for a Subsequent Year grant in following years. After the SFA receives a Baseline Year grant, the SFA may choose to apply for a Subsequent Year grant in any following year.  

• There are three grant award tiers which are based for Subsequent Year grants:
  • 15% locally produced foods = $0.15 per lunch grant award
  • 20% locally produced foods = $0.20 per lunch grant award
  • 25% locally produced foods = $0.25 per lunch grant award 

About The Glaucoma Foundation

The Glaucoma Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with glaucoma. The Foundation works to encourage and support basic and applied research in glaucoma with a goal of preserving and restoring vision. We strive to be an important resource to help patients, their families, and at-risk individuals to manage their glaucoma through education and outreach.

About Research to Prevent Blindness

The mission of Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is to preserve and restore vision by supporting research to develop treatments, preventives and cures for all conditions that damage and destroy sight. Since it was founded 60 years ago, in 1960, RPB has channeled more than $383 million into eye research. As a result, RPB has been identified with nearly every major breakthrough in vision research in that time.

The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) and Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) partner annually to provide a grant aimed at supporting women and under-represented racial and ethnic minority researchers in the pursuit of glaucoma research.

The TGF (sponsored by Patricia Hill) / RPB Fellowships in Glaucoma provide one-year $10,000 fellowships focused on substantive glaucoma research, including investigation into the etiology, diagnosis and/or treatment of glaucoma, to current ophthalmology fellows with an MD, MD/PhD, PhD or other relevant degree.

The Glaucoma Foundation: Advancing the Treatment of Glaucoma

The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) is dedicated to accelerating breakthrough glaucoma research and helping move promising discoveries toward patients. By supporting innovative, next-generation research and connecting leading scientists and clinicians, TGF drives progress toward better understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma, Pressure Independent Mechanisms of Glaucoma, Neuroprotection, and the Genetics of Glaucomas that affect people under the age of 40

The Glaucoma Foundation offers grants to researchers striving to improve the lives of glaucoma patients through novel innovations and scientific advances. The areas of current focus for TGF’s Grant Research program are Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma, Pressure Independent Mechanisms of Glaucoma, Neuroprotection, and Genetics of Glaucomas that affect people under the age of 40 years. Examples of research that may be considered range from basic science to clinical interventions, such as genetics and genomic medicine, disease modeling, assessment of ocular perfusion, artificial intelligence, and clinical research. A priority will be given to novel proposals with a viable study hypothesis leading to impactful results that are fundable at the NIH level. Initial grant funding for one year is for up to $75,000; a grantee is permitted to apply for a grant renewal of up to $75,000. A renewal grant is a one-year grant based on research findings from the initial research.

About

Raptor Research Foundation

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Tom Cade Conservation Award

The Award:

The Tom Cade Conservation Award is the Raptor Research Foundation’s premiere conservation award. This non-monetary award recognizes an individual who has made significant advances in or exceptional contributions to the conservation of raptors. The award’s scope includes all aspects of conservation science and practice pertaining to raptors, including: implementing population restoration programs; advances in captive propagation and reintroduction techniques; identifying conservation biology problems and solutions; raptor biodiversity studies; and studies of rare, threatened, and endangered species. Nominations will open in the spring. Recipients will be announced at the annual meeting.

About Tom Cade:

Tom Cade was an icon and hero to us all. His passion for falcons knew no bounds. One of the founders of the Raptor Research Foundation, he was the driving force behind the reintroduction of the Peregrine Falcon east of the Mississippi and across much of its North American range. The Peregrine Fund, which he created with the recovery of a single endangered species—the Peregrine Falcon—as its goal, has grown into a conservation organization with a worldwide reach and global impact. 

About

Raptor Research Foundation

The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit organization, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors. The Foundation organizes annual scientific conferences and provides competitive grants and awards for researchers and conservationists. The Foundation also provides support and networking opportunities for students and early career raptor researchers.

Early-career Raptor Researcher Travel Grants

The Award:

The selection committee must receive all application materials by the deadline for regular abstracts. That date is included in the announcement of RRF’s annual meeting sent each year to the membership.

• $700.
• The award will also include a free 1-year membership to RRF. 

up to three.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development 

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) helps Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities.

Collaboration is central to carrying out this mission and we work with other state Agencies as well as businesses of all sizes, communities, educators, non-profits, students, recreational venues and many others. We at ACCD “set the table” for opportunity. So whether you are a business owner seeking to relocate here, a developer interested in building a new project, an individual hoping to restore an historic gem or a community hoping to increase the livability of your town, you have come to the right place.

Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI)

The VEGI program provides performance-based cash incentives to businesses that are expanding in, or relocating to, Vermont. Businesses can earn incentives for creating new qualifying jobs, increasing payroll, and making capital investments that go beyond typical growth. There are no restrictions on business size, type, or minimum number of jobs.

To qualify, a business must:

• Show that the project would not happen, or would happen in a significantly less desirable way, without the incentive.
• Demonstrate that new activity will generate more tax revenue than it costs the state.
• Be welcomed by the community and follow local/regional plans.
• Comply with all Vermont laws and regulations.
• Avoid unfair competition in local markets.

To receive incentive payments, companies must meet job and payroll performance requirements each year. Incentives are paid in five annual installments once those benchmarks are achieved and maintained.

The National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC) aims to enhance the skills of adult protective services professionals. By providing a cooperative agreement, the NATC will develop online learning modules through a web-based management system, focusing on evidence-informed practices and leadership development. This initiative seeks to improve the organizational climate of APS agencies and ensure better safety and well-being for individuals facing adult maltreatment.

The FY2027 Grants to Highest State Courts aim to enhance guardianship systems by evaluating and improving the fairness and effectiveness of adult guardianship proceedings. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, seeks to implement necessary changes based on assessments, streamline filing processes, and better detect fraud, ultimately ensuring the safety and integrity of protected individuals.

The National Center on Elder Abuse Resource Center aims to enhance the readiness of communities to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. By offering resources, training, and information, the center empowers professionals and the public to effectively prevent and respond to elder maltreatment, ensuring that older Americans can live with dignity and independence. This initiative, supported by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, emphasizes best practices and awareness to mitigate risks associated with elder fraud and scams.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) offers State and Community Grants to enhance dementia-capable home and community-based service systems. Option A targets state agencies to develop sustainable HCBS systems, while Option B focuses on community-based organizations to fill service gaps for individuals with dementia. Both options aim to provide quality support for those living with dementia and their caregivers, fostering independence and safety in their communities.

The Elder Justice Innovation Grants for FY2027 aim to foster innovative solutions to elder justice issues, enhancing prevention and intervention strategies against elder abuse. Projects funded under this program will focus on developing and disseminating effective materials and programs, contributing to a robust evidence base in the field. This initiative by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living supports efforts that can be replicated across communities, promoting greater awareness and support for elder individuals.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to develop dementia-capable home and community-based service systems in Indian Country over a 36-month period. This initiative is designed for federally recognized tribes and organizations, promoting person-centered services that support individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Applicants can choose between two options: enhancing existing programs or establishing new dementia services, ensuring tribal leadership support and community engagement throughout the process.

The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to enhance support for unpaid family caregivers by expanding access to high-quality, dementia-specific respite services. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, focuses on reducing caregiver burden and delaying institutionalization for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. By partnering with aging service providers, the program ensures caregivers receive necessary training and support, fostering a sustainable and responsive respite care system.

The No Wrong Door System Modernization funding aims to enhance access to services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. By modernizing NWD systems, states can improve service navigation through innovative strategies and technology, including AI. This initiative supports the Administration for Community Living's efforts to connect individuals to vital resources and build evidence on effective service access methods, ensuring a person-centered approach to community living.

This funding opportunity from the US HHS Administration for Community Living aims to support innovative community-based nutrition models that enhance health outcomes for older adults participating in Senior Nutrition Programs. Projects should focus on improving access to healthy foods, promoting healthy aging, and developing sustainable practices. By fostering community partnerships, the initiative seeks to replicate successful strategies across the Aging Network, ultimately improving the quality of life for seniors nationwide.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture encourages, protects and promotes agriculture and related industries throughout the commonwealth while providing consumer protection through inspection services that impact the health and financial security of Pennsylvania's citizens.

Wine Marketing & Research Program

Introduction

The Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program Board (Board) annually, or more frequently as the availability of the fund permits, solicits applications for grants to conduct promotion, marketing and research projects to increase the quality, profitability, production and sale of wines, enhance the wine industry and benefit wine producers of this Commonwealth.

Research includes, but is not limited to:

• Characterization of Accentuated Cut Edges (ACE)
• Impacts of Spotted Lanternfly
• Impact of Under-trellis Groundcover
• Marketing Education and Professional Development for the PA Wine Industry
• Pennsylvania Wine Land Statewide Marketing & Promotions
• Spotted Wing Drosophila in Pennsylvania
• Grapevine Leafroll Viruses
• Tannin Extraction

The Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2027, sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), seeks to support emerging researchers in academia and non-profit research institutions. This program focuses on those without previous DARPA funding, aiming to align innovative research with national security needs. By providing significant funding, the YFA encourages the development of transformative capabilities for the Department of War, fostering the next generation of researchers dedicated to addressing critical national security challenges.

The FY 2027 - 2029 Broad Agency Announcement by NOAA seeks proposals for innovative research and projects through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. This initiative connects federal agencies with diverse partners to address ecological challenges. It encourages efforts that enhance understanding of weather and environmental systems while ensuring the conservation of marine resources. Funding is contingent on appropriations, and applications are subject to an administrative review process.

The PATC3H-IN initiative focuses on improving HIV care for adolescents in resource-constrained settings while generating evidence that can enhance care models in the United States. By developing scalable care delivery strategies and studying their impact, the project aims to address barriers faced by young people, such as stigma and access issues. This research is crucial for achieving effective interventions, ultimately helping to reduce new HIV infections and improve health outcomes for adolescents both domestically and globally.

The Discovery Gateway to Reproductive Health Innovation, established by the NICHD, aims to create a comprehensive knowledgebase to advance research on various reproductive health conditions like preeclampsia and infertility. This initiative will integrate clinical and multi-omic data to bridge critical knowledge gaps, enabling scientists to generate insights that could lead to new treatments and commercial products, thereby accelerating public-private partnerships and improving health outcomes.

The Learning Disabilities Research Centers program, supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, aims to enhance outcomes for children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. This initiative promotes collaborative research to improve SLD identification, understanding genetic factors, and testing innovative interventions. By fostering mentorship and collaboration, the program seeks to empower the next generation of researchers and enhance educational strategies for affected youth.