Best Financial Assistance Grants in Vermont

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing health, human services, dental care, homeless shelters, food pantries, or youth camperships can apply for Agnes M. Lindsay Trust grants, with awards of US $1,000 - US $7,500. Funding supports capital needs and some operating or program costs for organizations serving low-income and vulnerable populations.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation grants, awarding up to US $10,000 for programs serving middle-income seniors, special needs and disability education, hearing impairments, and community preservation. Organizations promoting core values and collaborative, sustainable initiatives may be especially competitive for this financial assistance funding.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and youth can seek funding for health, education, development, and welfare programs, including basic needs, homelessness, and environmental education, in Vermont and beyond. With a mission to enrich young lives, Dan Paul Foundation provides up to US $15,000 for initiatives like early childhood development, child advocacy, and refugee enrichment.

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 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.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for community development, basic needs, workforce training, arts, or environmental initiatives can apply for sponsorship funding; awards may support economic mobility and social progress. Bank of America Charitable Foundation offers regional U.S. sponsorships that back programs preserving neighborhoods, addressing hunger and shelter, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Vermont agricultural landowners seeking financial assistance to retire cropland and install vegetative buffers can apply for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, funded by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. This voluntary program provides upfront incentive payments, annual rental payments, and up to 90–100% cost-share for fencing, water systems, stream crossings, and buffer establishment.

Agricultural producers in Vermont seeking help with conservation, water management, or risk-reducing farm improvements can apply for Agricultural Management Assistance funding, with awards up to Up to US $50,000. With a mission to support sustainable agriculture, USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Vermont provides cost-share assistance for practices like irrigation upgrades, windbreaks, erosion control, and organic transition.

Vermont agricultural producers, ranchers, forest landowners, Tribes, and water management entities can receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. Focused on environmental conservation, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Vermont supports projects that improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Focused on economic independence, nonprofits in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom serving children, youth, and women can access funding via Allen Hilles Fund for education, youth development, and social services programs. Grants of US $4,000 - US $10,000 may support direct services, advocacy, and systems change, with priority for organizations under $2 million in annual budgets.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Vermont and New Hampshire can obtain USDA Rural Development support for water and waste infrastructure projects. Funding can cover acquisition, construction, or improvement of drinking water, sewer, solid waste, and storm water systems, plus related legal, engineering, land, and start-up costs.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and qualified local government entities can access funding for education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment projects that serve communities near Georgia-Pacific facilities. Georgia-Pacific Foundation prioritizes organizations located within 30 miles of a GP manufacturing community that create long-term value and well-being for local residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Vermont seeking support for environmental or human services work can receive general operating or program funding through the Lawrence Foundation, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $10,000. The foundation offers unrestricted grants with no geographic restrictions, including organizations working on community services and environmental conservation.

Service providers and producer associations supporting Vermont farm, forest, and food businesses can apply for financial assistance through the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, with awards from US $10,000 - US $100,000. Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets funding can support technical assistance, market development, business planning, workforce development, and producer association capacity-building projects across the state.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, municipalities, and fiscally sponsored community groups can receive up to US $5,000 for consultant-led capacity-building projects. With a mission to strengthen Vermont communities, Vermont Community Foundation provides funding for strategic and financial planning, leadership and board development, DEI work, merger planning, and adapting to federal funding changes for organizations under $1 million in annual budget.

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.

Agricultural and forest producers in Vermont can receive financial assistance to enhance conservation practices on working lands through the Conservation Stewardship Program, supporting soil, water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience improvements. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Vermont offers five-year contracts with annual payments to maintain and expand environmental stewardship across entire operations.

Vermont 501(c)(3) organizations and public schools serving individuals with autism can receive up to US $7,500 for education technology tools and training. The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism funds tablets, apps, smartboards, laptops, STEM activities, and related technology that improve learning outcomes, with one program per public school district eligible each year.

Vermont municipalities, nonprofits, public institutions, and other eligible entities can receive up to US $35,000 to build organizational capacity for clean water and watershed projects. Watersheds United Vermont supports activities like community engagement, administrative and financial systems, and professional development to help partners do more, more complex, or more effective clean water work.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Vermont can receive funding for planning and education projects that preserve battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures. National Trust for Historic Preservation supports activities like preservation planning, feasibility studies, capacity building, and innovative public education to advance battlefield preservation efforts. Awards range from US $2,500 - US $10,000.

Vermont farmers and custom manure applicators seeking capital equipment to improve manure management and water quality in Vermont can access funding through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. Grants up to US $50,000 support new or innovative equipment that reduces runoff, odors, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall manure application costs.

Private landowners in Vermont seeking financial assistance to conserve forestland through conservation easements or fee-simple acquisition may be eligible; funding can cover up to 75% of acquisition and related transaction costs. Grants from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation help protect important forest habitats, wetlands, recreation corridors, and other high-value land within designated Forest Legacy Areas.