Best Grants for Historic Preservation in Vermont

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.

Organizations conserving Vermont farms, working forests, natural areas, recreational lands, or historic properties can use this program to cover transaction and stewardship costs for donated conservation easements. Grants from Vermont Housing and Conservation Board offer up to US $32,500 or 50% of eligible costs, helping projects that advance clean water, biodiversity, climate resilience, and community goals, including historic resources.

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.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities can receive up to US $1,000 for community projects in the Grafton area, which may include historic preservation efforts. The Grafton Fund from Windham Foundation supports small, local initiatives that strengthen economic, cultural, and civic life in this rural Vermont community.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Municipalities, nonprofits, community organizations, and working lands businesses in rural Vermont communities (5,000 residents or fewer) can apply for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s Rural Economic Development Initiative, offering US $1,000 - US $6,000 for grant writing, feasibility studies, and planning. Historic preservation, community infrastructure, downtown revitalization, and outdoor recreation projects may be especially competitive.

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 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.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.

Historic Preservation Barn Grants

Established in 1992, the State-funded Barn Preservation Grant program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate the historic agricultural buildings that are a symbol of Vermont’s rural landscape. This is the oldest state-funded agricultural-based grant program in the United States.

Since its inception, the program has provided over $5 million towards the preservation of over 525 historic barns and agricultural outbuildings around the state. Preservation of these buildings not only protects Vermont's agricultural and architectural legacies, but it also generates jobs, supports independent businesses, increase civic participation, and bolsters a community's sense of place while enhancing the experience of visitors.

This is a reimbursement grant program. Grant recipients are responsible for paying for the full amount of the project. The state will then reimburse grant recipients once work is complete and paid for.

Vermont historic preservation property owners, municipalities, and nonprofits can obtain funding to repair or adapt historic agricultural buildings in Vermont. Vermont historic preservation groups can access funding through the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, offering up to US $20,000 in competitive 50/50 matching, reimbursement-based grants for barns and outbuildings at least 50 years old and National Register listed or eligible.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Windham Foundation provides Vermont 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities with funding for agriculture, community development, arts, education, and historic preservation projects, up to US $10,000. Eligible Vermont-based programs can seek operational support, special initiatives, capacity building, and matching or challenge grants that strengthen organizational capacity and improve quality of life for Vermonters.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for children, education, humanitarian aid, animals, arts, or environmental programs can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $10,000. Hansen Family Foundation considers U.S.-based organizations worldwide, so Vermont groups preserving community heritage or historic sites through these focus areas may be eligible.

Vermont historic preservation and wildlife conservation nonprofits can access funding through Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant to share the impact of their work. Registered 501(c)(3)s and aligned for-profit organizations may receive more than US $50,000 to develop storytelling projects that highlight preservation, education, or wellness initiatives in their communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) housing and conservation organizations, Vermont municipalities, and certain state agencies in Vermont can receive support to retire farmland that harms water quality by removing it from agricultural production. Vermont Housing and Conservation Board provides funding up to US $20,000 for fee acquisition or conservation easements and associated transaction and stewardship costs.

Vermont nonprofit housing and conservation organizations, municipalities, and certain state agencies can access funding through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to support organizational costs for affordable housing and conservation projects. Grants up to US $33,750 help develop initiatives that provide long-term benefits to Vermonters, including projects involving historic, natural, recreational, or agricultural properties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) housing and conservation organizations, Vermont municipalities, and certain state agencies in Vermont can receive up to US $50,000 for complex, project-specific pre-development work. Vermont Housing and Conservation Board funding can cover appraisals, engineering, title searches, historic preservation or hazardous materials analyses, staff costs, and public dialogue on affordable housing or land conservation.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving economic stability, workforce readiness, health and social services, or disaster relief can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, operating, or capital support. Organizations in Vermont working on community development or neighborhood revitalization that intersect with historic preservation may be eligible if they serve underserved or underrepresented residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with programs for youth, families, food security, or environmental stewardship in Vermont and other eligible regions can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000. Projects that strengthen communities may include components like community spaces or educational activities connected to historic or cultural places.

National Trust for Historic Preservation provides Vermont historic preservation organizations and public agencies with grants for battlefield preservation planning and education projects. Funding supports activities like hiring preservation professionals, developing plans or feasibility studies, capacity building, and innovative public outreach that introduces new audiences to preservation. Awards range from US $2,500 - US $10,000.

Vermont historic preservation organizations and other 501(c)(3)s in or serving Addison County and Brandon can access funding through Vermont Community Foundation for project-specific work in preservation, arts, education, and social services. Large grants up to US $25,000 prioritize underserved populations, collaboration, and projects with diverse funding sources, with most support directed to the Addison County/Brandon area.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, municipalities, and fiscally sponsored community groups can seek Vermont Community Foundation small grants of US $500 - US $5,000 for project-specific or general operating needs. The Walter Cerf Community Fund prioritizes arts, education, historic preservation, and social services, especially for underserved populations, with a strong focus on Addison County, Brandon, and statewide initiatives.

Vermont schools, municipal entities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Poultney and nearby communities can access funding for community-based projects, including those preserving the area’s historic and cultural environment. Grants from Vermont Community Foundation’s Hills Fund range from US $1,501 - US $7,500 and support educational, environmental, family, and heritage-focused initiatives that strengthen local connections.

Schools, municipal entities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Vermont serving Poultney and nearby communities can receive US $250 - US $1,500 for educational, family, health, environmental, and community engagement programs. With a mission to strengthen Vermont communities, Vermont Community Foundation supports projects that may include preserving local cultural, built, and natural heritage and fostering connection and belonging.

Vermont historic preservation and arts organizations serving immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, low-income youth, or the elderly can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 for projects from the Adelard And Valeda Roy Foundation. Funding may support historic preservation, museums, arts access, and related education within the foundation’s broader arts and culture priorities in Vermont and Northern New England.

Municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Vermont that own historic buildings can apply for State of Vermont Historic Preservation Grants, offering up to US $20,000 for 50/50 matching capital projects to repair and restore historic features. Eligible properties must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.