Best Youth Sports Grants in Vermont

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools to implement the PLTW Engineering program for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the US. Grant recipients will receive funding to cover participation fees and training costs. Total funding amounts to $16,000, distributed over three years. Schools are encouraged to create pathways for students in engineering through this initiative.

The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation is offering the S. Whitney Landon Award to support organizations and individuals serving children aged birth to five and their families. With a total of $30,000 available, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to programs demonstrating innovative practices in early childhood care. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and home-based childcare programs, especially those collaborating with community partners to enhance their impact.

The Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems Research Projects, funded by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, aim to enhance water quality and ecological health in the Lake Champlain Basin. These grants support research initiatives aligned with the Opportunities for Action management plan, facilitating community-driven stewardship. Projects may include implementation studies or pilot programs to assess the efficacy of conservation efforts. The program emphasizes collaboration among diverse stakeholders to ensure sustainable management of the basin's natural resources.

The NRA Foundation's Vermont Grants aim to support charitable initiatives that align with the organization's mission, such as promoting firearm safety and education. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) recognized entities, government bodies, and state-recognized nonprofits. Ineligible organizations consist of labor groups, private businesses, and individuals. The grant focuses on projects that foster community well-being and educational opportunities in the shooting sports, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations.

The Hoehl Family Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals in need. This private foundation emphasizes the importance of access to essential services like housing, education, and healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic status. Eligible applicants can seek funding for various purposes, including general operating support and capacity building. The foundation encourages partial funding requests and values demonstrated community support for financial needs.

Department of Business and Economic Affairs

The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is the premier resource for businesses considering expansion in, or relocation to, New Hampshire, as well as people seeking a home in a place where they can balance their careers amid the natural beauty it offers.

Dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the state and promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors, BEA is comprised of the Division of Economic Development, Division of Planning & Community Development, and the Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

Within these divisions are programs that support BEA’s mission to keep the state’s economy strong and competitive, from international trade and government procurement to workforce development and municipal planning.

About NBRC

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a partnership between the federal government and the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The NBRC targets resources to promote economic growth strategies and projects in designated counties within its member states. 

Mission Statement: The mission of the Northern Border Regional Commission is to catalyze community vitality and economic prosperity in the northern border region with flexible funding and strategic support.

Forest Economy Grant Program

The Forest Economy Program, administered by the Northern Border Regional Commission, makes awards in the form of Grant Agreements. The program stimulates economic growth in the forest-based industries, including new technologies and viable business models, across the NBRC four-state region in alignment with state economic development plans and forest economy initiatives. 

NBRC's Forest Economy Program (FEP) is designed to support state-identified development plans for the regional forest economy and to assist in the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models.

Forest Economy Program Priorities  

Successful projects support a broad range of initiatives such as, but not limited to:

• Public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry;  
• Community development projects that support the diversified use of forest for economic activity;  
• Workforce training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses, and;
• Marketing, communication and education projects that are paired with a public infrastructure, community development or workforce training or development project.  
• Basic research projects will not be considered. Preference will be given to applied research and demonstration projects that demonstrate a strong connection to industry.

Vermont 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 Training Program

For over 30 years, the Vermont Training Program (VTP) has partnered with employers of all sizes and training providers to prepare Vermont's employees for the jobs of tomorrow. VTP provides performance-based workforce grants for pre-employment training, training for new hires, and training for incumbent workers. This training can either be on-site or offered through an outside provider. VTP grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost. 

The program also works with eligible employers to introduce manufacturers and other regionally significant employers to Vermont students at every level. Employers who provide work-based learning programs or activities developed in partnership with a school or educational program may apply to VTP for a grant to offset the costs of providing these programs. This work supports several different types of training, but the most requested programs are for advanced manufacturing skills like Lean Technology, Computer-Aided Design, and Computer Numerical Control machining. Supervisory and management training are also popular.

The Vermont Farmland Conservation Program is focused on retaining the state’s quality agricultural land base in strong farming regions of the state. By focusing on conserving contiguous blocks of farmland in traditional farming communities, VHCB’s Farmland Conservation Program helps to ensure that farms are not isolated by residential development and communities can continue to support a healthy range of businesses that serve and rely on neighboring farms.

State-Significant Farmland Program 

The Board evaluates farmland applications in a two-step process. Pre-applications are submitted by an eligible entity (typically a land trust), and reviewed by a committee composed of staff from VHCB, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. If the project meets VHCB’s eligibility criteria, it is approved for VHCB cost-share of an appraisal to determine the value of the conservation easement.

Applications for funding are developed for those projects that have been approved as pre-applications, and submitted for consideration at one of the Board’s regularly scheduled meetings. Board evaluation is based upon soil quality, location, farm infrastructure, management, and other resources brought to the project. There is a funding cap of $550,000 per application and $4,200 per acre.

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Our Mission: VHCB invests in permanently affordable housing solutions and conservation strategies that work together to ensure equity, resilience, and vitality for Vermont communities in perpetuity.

In partnership with a statewide network of private and non-profit organizations, VHCB funds the development of permanently affordable housing, land conservation initiatives, and the restoration of historic properties.

VHCB Farmland Conservation Program

The Vermont Farmland Conservation Program is focused on retaining the state’s quality agricultural land base in strong farming regions of the state.

VHCB funds the acquisition of development rights on farms as well as a portion of the associated project costs. Eligible applicants for this funding are nonprofit conservation organizations, municipalities, and qualified state agencies. Goals of the VHCB Farmland Conservation Program include perpetually protecting farmland, maintaining land in active agricultural use, and to assure that conserved farmland is accessible and affordable to future generations of farmers.

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Our Mission: VHCB invests in permanently affordable housing solutions and conservation strategies that work together to ensure equity, resilience, and vitality for Vermont communities in perpetuity.

In partnership with a statewide network of private and non-profit organizations, VHCB funds the development of permanently affordable housing, land conservation initiatives, and the restoration of historic properties.

VHCB Farmland Conservation Program

The Vermont Farmland Conservation Program is focused on retaining the state’s quality agricultural land base in strong farming regions of the state. 

Eligible applicants for this funding are nonprofit conservation organizations, municipalities, and qualified state agencies. 

Funding Sugarbush Projects

Maple sugaring is part of Vermont’s heritage. It’s also an important and rapidly growing part of Vermont’s agricultural economy. Sugarbushes also contribute to Vermont’s scenic landscape. The 2018 Farm Bill removed the forested acreage limit for working sugarbush conservation using USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funds. This has enabled VHCB to conserve more sugarbushes as farm projects. 

Types of Projects, in General

VHCB will consider funding the purchase of conservation easements on working sugarbushes provided that (1) the applicant for VHCB funds is an eligible applicant, (2) the minimum eligibility criteria are met (see Appendix 2 of attached PDF document), and (3) a VHCB-approved easement coholder (approved stewardship partner) has stated at the time of application that it is willing to participate.

VHCB expects sugarbush projects to meet all the requirements for NRCS funding. Should a landowner not be eligible for NRCS funding, VHCB in its discretion, may consider funding the project using state funds only, subject to the availability of such funds within funding targets set by the VHCB Board.

Projects that are not active sugarbushes, but that are managed for timber or other uses, should apply as a natural area or outdoor recreation project, or under VHCB Guidelines for Privately Owned Managed Forestland Projects, even if sugar maples are a predominant species. 

Conservation projects of statewide significance are eligible for VHCB Conservation Project funding. These include natural areas that provide habitat for rare or endangered species, acquisition of lands to provide public access to trails or water, greenways, or acquisition of important historic properties for public use.

The VMIG Charitable Giving Fund aims to enhance community quality of life in regions served by Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. This fund supports non-profit organizations focusing on education, youth development, community building, and basic needs such as housing and hunger. Eligible organizations must operate within specific states and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status. The fund reflects a commitment to fostering healthy, vibrant communities through meaningful financial contributions.

Nature's Path's Gardens for Good program empowers communities by funding organic gardens that address food insecurity. Since 2010, it has donated $930,000 CAD to support 120 gardens. In 2023, grants of $6,500 each will be awarded to 20 gardens across the U.S. and Canada. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profits with urban organic agriculture projects that serve low-income communities, promoting sustainable practices and inclusivity.

The Enhancement Design and Implementation Block Grant, administered by Watersheds United Vermont (WUV), supports critical water quality enhancement projects. Proposals for preliminary and final designs, as well as implementation, are welcome. This initiative is funded by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Clean Water Initiative Program. No match is required, although voluntary leverage is appreciated for larger projects, allowing the funding to be utilized as match for other sources.

The Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant supports dairy farmers in enhancing their operations for sustainable success. This funding aids in modernizing outdated systems and implementing innovative solutions that improve farm viability, milk quality, and worker conditions while addressing climate impacts. Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, cooperatives, and service providers across Northeast states. Awards range from $15,000 to $100,000, requiring a 25% match contribution.

Building Bright Futures

Building Bright Futures (BBF) works to improve the well-being of young children and families in Vermont. The BBF Network includes 12 Regional Councils, seven Strategic Plan Committees, and the State Advisory Council.

The State Advisory Council advises the Governor and Legislature on the well-being of children in the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. BBF maintains Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan, a shared vision and roadmap to ensure that every young child in Vermont has the resources, opportunities, and support to thrive.

 Vermont Early Childhood Fund

The Vermont Early Childhood Fund is a Building Bright Futures (BBF) program. VECF grants support creative solutions that will improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and the Vermont communities where they live. These grants are open to nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, and schools.

These are not reimbursement-based grants; grantees will receive the full grant award at the start of the grant period.

Supporting Young Children and Families

VECF is focused on strengthening systems that support Vermont’s young children and families. This funding will prioritize one-time investments that expand capacity, improve infrastructure, and increase reach. The grant round is made possible through a combination of philanthropic support and the Building Bright Futures License Plate fund.

Equity Commitment

BBF envisions a future where every family in Vermont feels welcome, supported, and safe. We prioritize funding programs that address barriers faced by communities most impacted by economic insecurity and that advance equity, belonging, and justice. Projects that serve families furthest from opportunity—including, but not limited to, supporting family safety and basic needs of immigrant and migrant worker populations—will receive strong consideration.

Funding Priority: Meeting Basic Needs

BBF will fund systems-level improvements that strengthen food security and transportation infrastructure serving children in the prenatal period to age 8 and their families, including:

Food Security

• Upgrading systems and infrastructure to improve food distribution
• Expanding equitable access pathways (mobile markets, delivery models, grocery incentives)
• Strengthening farm-to-early-childhood initiatives
• Reducing barriers to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation
• Improving dignity and accessibility within food distribution systems

Transportation

• Expanding transportation pilots and regional solutions
• Strengthening low-barrier transportation assistance programs
• Increasing access to micro-transit, flex-route, and on-demand models
• Supporting transportation solutions for families experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and migrant farmworker families

These funding priorities are aligned with Goal 1 of Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan: All Children and Families Have Their Basic Needs Met.

The FCIDD Nonprofit Project Grants are designed to support 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across various states. Grants are awarded for projects that enhance accessibility, provide educational opportunities, and promote community engagement. The foundation encourages collaboration with local Civitan clubs, particularly in October and March funding rounds, while also offering open applications in July. The initiative aims to empower nonprofits to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

Small, volunteer-led environmental groups in Vermont can access funding through New England Grassroots Environment Fund to launch new local projects or significantly shift existing ones. Seed grants of US $500 - US $1,000 support grassroots environmental efforts, and youth sports organizers incorporating environmental stewardship or outdoor sustainability activities may be eligible.

The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation focuses on granting funds to small, dedicated animal welfare organizations in the Northeast US. Established in 2007, the foundation supports various initiatives, including humane societies, rescue organizations, and wildlife rehabilitation services. With a commitment to making a difference, they aim to empower groups with limited assets and fundraising capabilities to enhance animal welfare through essential services and educational programs.

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 George I. Alden Trust offers a Higher Education Grant aimed at supporting independent colleges and universities in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The Trust prioritizes capital needs to enhance the educational experience, approving grants up to $100,000 for first-time applicants. Eligible institutions must have a minimum of 1,000 full-time undergraduate students and demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence and effective administration.

The Historic Preservation Barn Grants, established in 1992, support the rehabilitation of Vermont's historic agricultural buildings. This state-funded program has allocated over $3 million for the preservation of over 360 barns, fostering job creation and enhancing community engagement. Grants up to $15,000 are available for qualifying structures over 50 years old, promoting the adaptive reuse of these vital cultural landmarks. As a reimbursement grant, applicants must cover project costs upfront, with reimbursement following project completion.

About Northeast SARE

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.

The program serves Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The program is administered by Northeast SARE's host institution, the University of Vermont.

Farming Community Grant Program

The Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant applies social science research and education projects that strengthen farming and food systems at the community level.

These projects explore innovative approaches to improving the health and sustainability of agricultural communities in the Northeast. This program supports projects that are grounded in community partnerships and informed by the lived experiences of farmers. It encourages collaboration among farmers, service providers, researchers, and nonprofit organizations to co-create solutions that are responsive to local needs and scalable across the region.

This program encourages innovative solutions to challenges in farming and food systems in the Northeast USA, including but not limited to the areas of: Marketing and business; Crop production; Raising livestock; Aquaculture; Economic and social sustainability; Ecological knowledge; Projects related to climate and/or bioenergy work that provide direct or indirect benefits to farmers,ranchers, and private foresters; and more.

Technical Assistance Program

Applicants and grantees of the Farming Community Grant Program are eligible for Technical Assistance (TA) provided by Northeast SARE’s Technical Assistance Providers.

Funding: This grant is reimbursement based; you must spend money to receive the grant funds.

About City Market, Onion River Co-op

City Market, Onion River Co-op, is a community-owned food cooperative with two locations in beautiful Burlington, Vermont. We offer a large selection of local, organic, and conventional foods, and thousands of Vermont-made products.

The Co-op is dedicated to supporting the local economy and strengthening the local food system. We work with over 400 independent Vermont farmers, producers, and Vermont-owned businesses to feature the widest selection of local products we can. We regularly stock over 3,000 Local or Made in Vermont products, and Local and Made in Vermont products account for 40% of our sales. As a Member-owned cooperative, we are accountable to our Members.

Seedling Grants

What Are Seedling Grants?

Through our Co-op Seedling Grant program, City Market grants funding to projects from Vermont non-profit organizations whose work strengthens our local food system. This program is currently funded through our Rally for Change program.

Seedling Grant History

During profitable years, City Market Members receive patronage checks based on their spending as a form of profit-sharing. According to City Market’s By-Laws, any Patronage Refunds that are not cashed within 90 days are donated to organizations supporting our local food system, as directed by our Board. In 2014, City Market created a new program to offer grants through our uncashed Patronage Refund checks – our Seedling Grant Program! Since 2018, this program has been funded through Rally for Change as the Co-op works toward a return to profitability after our South End expansion.

M&T Charitable Foundation 

Our purpose is to understand the individuals and the businesses in our neighborhood, so we can create the right opportunities for the people we serve. During our 165-year history, we evolved with the needs of our locations, and are guided by a leadership team that holds us accountable.

Adapting to the needs of our neighbors means finding new solutions and sharing the Research & Insights we learn along the way. We support local organizations by volunteering our time and reinvesting in our community.

M&T Charitable Foundation Community Sponsorship Program

At M&T Bank we are building a stronger community - together. Our purpose is to understand the individuals and the businesses in our neighborhood, so we can create the right opportunities for the people we serve.

Community Sponsorships enable us to partner with nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in the regions we operate.

Our goal is to make meaningful community-based contributions and to work closely with the organizations we support beyond a financial commitment. At M&T Bank, we consider supporting sponsorship opportunities that result in a mutually beneficial partnership.