Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Vermont

The Vermont Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21C) Grant offers up to $650,000 annually over five years to enhance afterschool and summer learning programs. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support for students, fostering educational opportunities and community engagement. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding to implement high-quality educational activities that address local needs and improve student outcomes.

The Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant in Vermont aims to enhance farm to school initiatives by supporting early childhood providers and schools. This grant promotes integrated programs that benefit classroom learning, cafeteria nutrition, and community involvement, thereby fostering a holistic approach to education. Funded by the Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Act of 2006, this initiative encourages local agriculture and healthy eating among young learners.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

The Turrell Fund Grant focuses on supporting organizations that serve children and families, particularly in Vermont and New Jersey. Emphasizing early childhood development, K-12 education, and access to arts and social services, the fund aims to address systemic barriers and promote equity. Priority is given to initiatives that foster systemic change and advocate for policy improvements, ensuring every child has access to quality education and resources necessary for a strong start in life.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

The KeyBank Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing communities through education, workforce development, and affordable housing. Founded in 1969, the Foundation prioritizes diversity, financial capability, and sustainability. Their grants aim to empower individuals for success by improving access to resources, fostering economic inclusion, and creating safe environments. By partnering with community organizations, KeyBank Foundation seeks to make a measurable impact and ensure lasting positive change for families and small businesses.

Local Food for Schools and Child Care Food Hub Grant 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is seeking applications from non-profit food hubs in Vermont to provide local food to eligible School Food Authorities. This funding opportunity is part of the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program and is funded by a one-time state appropriation for Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) grants.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide local food to Vermont K-12 students through non-profit food hubs. This opportunity is open to non-profit food hubs headquartered in Vermont. This opportunity is modeled after the Vermont Local Food for Schools program, which was piloted in School Year 2023-2024, using one-time funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Food hubs will apply for grant funding to work with a particular subset of School Food Authorities (SFAs) that they have capacity to reach with distribution. Each SFA has a pre-determined amount of grant funding that they will access through this program. The amount of grant funding allocated to each SFA is based on enrollment data from the Vermont Agency of Education. Grant request amounts will be directly tied to the specific mix of SFAs that a food hub is applying to serve. 

If awarded, the SFA’s assigned food hub will make available the allocated amount as credit at the food hub, which the SFAs can use to purchase local food from the food hub’s catalogue.

The review committee will ensure that every eligible SFA in Vermont is served by a local food hub and provided access to free, local food. This grant opportunity is effectively using food hubs as a pass-through entity to provide local food funding to SFAs directly. Food purchased with LFSCC funds must meet the Vermont local definition (Act 129 of 2020).

A total of $300,000 is available through this competitive funding opportunity. There is no award minimum or maximum for this grant. Grantees will have up to two years to complete projects. Pre-award costs may also be available, with permission from the grant program manager. No matching funds are required for this grant.

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.

State Afterschool Grant - Centers and Programs

The State Afterschool Grant is designated to expand afterschool and summer programs for K-12-aged youth, particularly in underserved areas. This work is accomplished through two distinct application tracks: Program Grants for innovation/expansion and/or small-scale start-ups and Center Grants to support the creation/sustenance of single-site comprehensive centers. These grants support delivery of programming through partnerships involving public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Grants can be used for program implementation, expansion, and sustainability. These funds are intended to promote the delivery of programing to Vermont youth built on research-and evidence-based strategies.

Center Track - State Afterschool Grant

This grant is designed to support the development and expansion of Afterschool and Summer Centers, as new stand-alone initiatives. For building capacity and readiness to start one comprehensive center within one year.

Size and Scope: Supports single-site, multi-program centers in the start-up phase.

Priorities: Expansion of programing in underserved areas; expansion of programing to HMGs . To develop a single-site comprehensivecenter or transition from single-site or single-program to comprehensive center.

Partnerships between School/ Community/ Partners: Required

Grant Period: 3 years with annual performance reviews 

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.

State Afterschool Grant - Centers and Programs

The State Afterschool Grant is designated to expand afterschool and summer programs for K-12-aged youth, particularly in underserved areas. This work is accomplished through two distinct application tracks: Program Grants for innovation/expansion and/or small-scale start-ups and Center Grants to support the creation/sustenance of single-site comprehensive centers. These grants support delivery of programming through partnerships involving public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Grants can be used for program implementation, expansion, and sustainability. These funds are intended to promote the delivery of programing to Vermont youth built on research-and evidence-based strategies.

Program Track - State Afterschool Grant

This grant is designed to support the immediate development and expansion of individual programs, either as new stand-alone initiatives or additions to existing centers. 

Size and Scope: Supports evidencebased expansions and smaller pilot programs.

Priorities: Expansion of programing in underserved areas; expansion of programing to students from historically marginalized groups (HMGs); to develop, expand, or improve existing programs.

Grant Period: 3.5 years with annual performance reviews 

The Canaday Family Charitable Trust primarily aims to support Vermont-based not-for-profit organizations that enhance the lives of children and families, advocate for environmental conservation and education, and address economic and racial inequalities. Grants are provided for innovative projects that produce measurable impacts, focusing on sustainability, self-sufficiency, and community engagement. The Trust emphasizes funding projects rooted in Vermont's unique context, promoting initiatives that empower local families and foster significant improvements in their quality of life.

The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation aims to enhance the lives of children and young adults in the U.S. by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on arts, education, health, and welfare. Grants, capped at $10,000, must be utilized within one year and are not automatically renewable. The foundation seeks to support smaller charities that may not receive broad public backing, thus creating a more significant impact on individual communities.

The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Charitable Fund Grant is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, established in 1992. It focuses on philanthropy, specifically supporting K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations. The foundation directs its grants primarily to regions preferred by donors, including several states in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming to improve educational opportunities and foster community development in underserved populations.

The SHAPE America: Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary role model committed to fostering student engagement in professional activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of membership in SHAPE America and serve as full-time faculty at a higher education institution. This award emphasizes mentorship through professional behavior, involvement in student projects, and providing academic guidance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.

The OneAmerica Financial Community grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on education, workforce development, safety, wellness, and community vibrancy. With a commitment to making a difference, OneAmerica aims to transform lives through strategic philanthropy. Their initiatives include disaster relief, arts support, and civic engagement, fostering resilient communities. By investing in meaningful change, they build a foundation for shared success across the country, ensuring that community needs are met and future generations thrive.

The National Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) Legacy Award, established by SHAPE America, honors exemplary contributions to increasing opportunities for women in sports. This annual award recognizes current SHAPE America members who submit impactful proposals related to women's sports, with a monetary prize of $1000. The award will be presented at the National Convention & Exposition, with a special deadline of November 1st. Nominations can include various initiatives aimed at empowering women in sports.

The Measurement and Evaluation Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished SHAPE America professional who has significantly impacted measurement and evaluation in health and physical education. This prestigious award highlights the importance of scholarly achievement and the influence of national standards in enhancing educational practices. It aims to honor those who have dedicated their careers to improving the quality of health and physical education, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles for students across the nation.

The Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award recognizes exceptional contributions by a SHAPE America professional towards the Measurement and Evaluation SIG's mission. This prestigious accolade celebrates those who advance health and physical education practices, inspiring educators to enhance student well-being. Eligibility requires current membership in SHAPE America and the Measurement and Evaluation SIG, ensuring that only dedicated professionals are honored. This award embodies the commitment to fostering excellence in educational environments, ultimately aiming to prepare all children to lead active, healthy lives.

The Measurement and Evaluation Graduate Student Award, offered by SHAPE America, aims to support graduate students specializing in psychomotor measurement and evaluation. This scholarship assists with professional expenses, ensuring candidates can focus on their studies. Eligible applicants must be current SHAPE America members and pursuing relevant master's or doctoral degrees. The award prioritizes those who have completed their first year of study, promoting excellence in health and physical education across the U.S.

The Luther Halsey Gulick Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes individuals with over ten years of membership who have made outstanding contributions to health and physical education. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a candidate selected for their exemplary leadership and service in the field. Nominations are carefully evaluated based on the candidate's impact on the profession and their ability to inspire future generations to lead healthy, active lives.

The Helen M. Heitmann Young Scholar Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors young professionals who have made significant contributions to research in curriculum and instruction within health and physical education. Eligible candidates must be current SHAPE America members and have 3 to 6 years of experience post-doctorate. This award emphasizes active involvement and scholarship in the field, encouraging innovative research that enhances educational practices for preK-12 students.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

The Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes outstanding contributions to health and physical education curriculum research. This prestigious award highlights the importance of effective instructional practices that prepare students for active and healthy lives. Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship in health education and physical education, demonstrating commitment to excellence since the organization's founding in 1885. SHAPE America advocates for quality education and promotes the well-being of preK-12 students across the United States.

Arnold Ventures

Overview

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Request for Proposals

Causal Research on the Impacts of K-12 School Policies 

The next several years present an important opportunity to shape the future of state K-12 education policy. States are making consequential decisions about curriculum, assessment, and accountability systems; school choice and governance policies; and teacher and leader workforce policies. High-quality research in these areas will help policymakers distinguish between reforms that are merely appealing and those that meaningfully improve student outcomes over the long term.

Through this request for proposals (RFP), Arnold Ventures seeks to support research studies that estimate the causal effects of actionable, politically viable U.S. K-12 education policies that can be influenced at the state level and have the potential to improve outcomes at scale. Competitive proposals should employ rigorous causal research methods and, where feasible, examine not only short-term educational outcomes but also longer-term impacts on postsecondary and/or labor market outcomes using administrative data. Given the pace of state policymaking, we place a high value on research that can inform decisions quickly and will give preference to studies that can be completed within 18 months of project kickoff and/or produce actionable findings by the end of 2028.

The CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, administered by the National Education Association, aims to enhance racial equity within education by funding initiatives that promote awareness, leadership development, and solidarity among diverse racial groups. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $75,000, supporting projects that address racism and foster equitable policies in educational settings, thereby accelerating efforts towards social justice.

The KLA-Tencor Foundation's Education Opportunity Fund aims to enhance educational access, promote emotional well-being, and improve educational systems, particularly for under-resourced K-12 students. Grants between $50,000 and $250,000 are available for innovative projects that eliminate barriers to education and foster sustainable partnerships. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a significant impact in communities served by KLA, focusing on systemic change rather than direct student assistance.

The SPFFA Educational Scholarship provides financial support of $5000 for university candidates aiming to teach French in primary and secondary schools. To be eligible, applicants must be American citizens or resident aliens, preferably enrolled in a School of Education and pursuing a Master in Teaching with a focus on French. Additionally, applicants need to maintain a GPA above 3.00, ensuring commitment to their educational goals.