Best Workforce Grants in Vermont

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation provides invitation-only grants aimed at enhancing postsecondary education opportunities for young Vermonters. By prioritizing equity and systemic change, the foundation supports initiatives that make education more accessible and affordable. Grants range from $10,000 to over $100,000, focusing on scaling Vermont's Free Degree Promise and diversifying the public educator workforce. Organizations serving Vermont's communities are encouraged to apply for funding aligned with these goals.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation grants aim to enhance oral health care access and education in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Foundation supports initiatives that focus on improving awareness of good oral health, preventive care, and accessibility of dental services. Grants typically cover one year and prioritize projects that serve disadvantaged populations. The Foundation encourages applications from 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations that align with its oral health mission.

The Vermont Arts Council's Artists in Schools Grant supports multi-day arts experiences in schools, promoting collaboration between students and Vermont teaching artists. Eligible schools and arts organizations can apply for funding for projects that enhance arts education for preK-12 students. Projects should focus on creativity, equity, and access in the arts, while fostering community connections. Applications are accepted until July 28 for the funding period beginning September 1, 2025.

The NBRC Catalyst Program aims to stimulate economic growth in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York by funding innovative projects that address regional economic needs. It supports initiatives like modernizing public services, enhancing transportation infrastructure, and developing workforce programs. By fostering partnerships and leveraging private investments, the program seeks to alleviate economic distress and improve rural vitality, ultimately leading to job creation and sustainable community development.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

The Hilles Fund Grant supports programs that serve vulnerable populations in Philadelphia and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. With grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000, it prioritizes initiatives that provide children, youth, and women with pathways to economic independence, including educational opportunities and social services. The fund also values advocacy efforts aligned with its mission and gives preference to organizations with operating budgets under $2 million.

The Windham Foundation Grants Program offers financial support to organizations enhancing the quality of life in Vermont. Grants, averaging $2,500 to $5,000, focus on agriculture, arts, community development, and wellness initiatives. Eligible applicants include non-profits and public entities located in Vermont, with a preference for collaborative projects. The Foundation encourages applications that demonstrate financial stability and a clear impact on community resilience, while limiting funding to no more than 50% of the total project cost.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Clowes Fund focuses on supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in New England, particularly in Vermont. The fund prioritizes immigrant services, workforce development, and arts education. It is crucial for applicants to be aware that only organizations meeting specific eligibility criteria will be considered for funding. The application process is competitive, and transparency is emphasized, as fewer than 10% of introductory applications lead to grants. For more details, visit their official site.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative offers competitive grants to support Vermont's forest, farm, and food businesses, alongside producer associations. With $1 million available in FY 2025, applications will open in fall and winter, with awards announced in spring 2025. The Service Provider & Producer Association Grant combines former separate grants into one, offering $10,000-$75,000 for various projects without a match requirement, emphasizing support for Vermont's working landscape.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative's Business Enhancement Grant supports Vermont's agricultural, forestry, and food sectors by funding projects that enhance productivity and marketability. Eligible applicants include farms, logging businesses, and food processors that prioritize Vermont-grown resources. Funding can cover equipment, infrastructure, market development, and workforce training. This initiative aims to strengthen local economies and promote sustainable practices while fostering collaboration among various stakeholders in Vermont's working landscape.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

SerVermont VISTA Program RPF

This cohort will begin service on August 10, 2026.

AmeriCorps VISTA members are made available through SerVermont through a VISTA Supervision Grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency that oversees National Service. SerVermont has administered the VISTA Umbrella Project on behalf of AmeriCorps since 2011 (now in its 15th year) and is currently the only VISTA project in Vermont. The statewide SerVermont VISTA project seeks to end poverty in Vermont by building capacity in organizations that address homelessness, provide job training, invest in food security, provide nutrition education, and promote disaster resiliency. In the 2026-2027 Program Year, SerVermont is anticipating the availability of up to 21 VISTA member positions.

SerVermont is especially interested in partnering with organizations with a focus on disaster mitigation, recovery and resilience, in addition to organizations that address housing security and support workforce development initiatives.

Every VISTA Project Host Site must fall within the VISTA Programming Framework:

Anti-Poverty Focus - The purpose of VISTA is to support efforts to eliminate poverty. The goal of every project must be to help individuals and communities move out of poverty, not simply make poverty more tolerable. The project should focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term services.

Community Empowerment - VISTA Project Sponsors and Host Sites must ensure that their project engages residents of the low-income community in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the project. The project must be responsive and relevant to the lives of residents in the community, and should tap into inherent community assets, strengths, and resources.

Sustainable Solutions - As originally designated in the Domestic Volunteer Service Act and reinforced in the Serve America Act, VISTA members are a short-term (one-year) resource who serve to build the long-term sustainability of anti-poverty programs. All VISTA projects should be developed with a goal to phase out the need for VISTA members and strengthen the ability of the project to continue without them. VISTA projects typically last three years, occasionally longer. From the beginning of the project planning process, the sponsor and community must think about how to use the VISTA project to phase in other resources and systems to replace the VISTA resource.

Capacity Building - Through activities such as fundraising, establishment of volunteer recruitment and management systems, community outreach, and partnership development, VISTAs help sponsors achieve lasting solutions to poverty. In order to build capacity, VISTAs do not perform direct service. Direct service is defined as activities that immediately address individual clients’ needs, and these activities are usually focused on short term goals. Ideally, VISTAs work their position out of existence and create systems that remain long after their service ends. 

The Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development (CWWCD) Block Grant, administered by Watersheds United Vermont, aims to enhance the capabilities of clean water organizations in Vermont. This funding promotes equitable access for under-resourced entities to engage in essential clean water projects. The grant supports activities that foster community engagement, streamline administrative processes, and cultivate a diverse workforce in clean water project management, ultimately leading to increased effectiveness and impact in local clean water initiatives.