Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Vermont

The Music Drives Us Instrument Grant supports schools and nonprofit organizations in New England by providing instruments for music education. This initiative aims to foster musical opportunities in underserved communities, ensuring that children have access to quality music programs. Eligible applicants include public and private schools, charter schools, hospitals, and community centers, allowing for a broad impact on the musical landscape. Grants provide brand-new instruments, enhancing the educational experience for future musicians.

The Music Drives Us Performance Grant supports talented musicians in New England by providing funding for free concert series in schools, after-school programs, and public spaces. With a mission to enhance music education, the grant allows musicians to receive compensation for their time and expenses while delivering educational experiences to underserved communities. Organizations can apply for grants up to $10,000, ensuring that music remains an accessible and enriching part of children's lives.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers over 250 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing dietetics. Applicants complete a single application to be considered for multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000. Eligibility includes enrollment in an ACEND-accredited program and various special criteria. This initiative supports students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging future professionals in nutrition and dietetics. Membership in the Academy is recommended but not mandatory for application.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers over 250 scholarships for graduate and doctoral students pursuing degrees in nutrition and dietetics. With scholarship amounts ranging from $500 to $25,000, applicants can utilize a single application to be considered for multiple opportunities. Eligibility includes enrollment in accredited programs and other criteria such as experience in education or dietetics. Membership in the Academy is encouraged, although not required, for most scholarships.

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.

The USTA New England Game Changer Grant offers up to $20,000 to support innovative projects that promote tennis and healthy communities across New England. This funding opportunity is aimed at high-impact initiatives that align with USTA New England's mission. Please note that ongoing program expenses like court time and coach salaries are not eligible for funding. Providers can seek assistance through the USTA Tennis Venue Services application process.

The Historic Preservation Grant Program, established in 1986 by the State of Vermont, supports municipalities and non-profits in rehabilitating historic buildings essential to local communities. Offering competitive 50/50 matching grants up to $20,000, this program aims to preserve structures over 50 years old that are on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The initiative fosters the revitalization of town halls, museums, and theaters, ensuring Vermont's unique heritage is maintained.

The Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant aims to enhance early care and education systems in the U.S. by supporting targeted investments in technology and data analytics. This initiative, led by the Administration for Children and Families, encourages states to improve program quality, family choice, and data-driven decision-making for children from birth to five years old. The funding is designed to create measurable outcomes and strengthen coordination within the mixed-delivery system.

The Arts & Social Cohesion Grant, funded by the Vermont Community Foundation, aims to enhance community belonging through diverse artistic projects. Grants up to $10,000 will support initiatives like mural projects, artist residencies, and public performances that foster collaboration and engagement. The program prioritizes projects that connect marginalized voices and create inclusive environments, encouraging social interaction and community cohesion. This grant is designed for nonprofits and community groups focused on impactful artistic endeavors.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program is offering grants of up to $20,000 for educational property assessments focused on stormwater management. This initiative aims to engage landowners in the Lake Champlain Basin to enhance property management for clean water and ecological resilience. With approximately $490,000 in total funding available, eligible organizations can submit proposals to support sustainable practices. The program encourages community partnerships and provides resources for implementing best management practices.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Vermont provide essential funding for small rural businesses by offering technical assistance and training. The program has no maximum grant amount, but requests are prioritized based on size, with limits of $100,000 for certain counties and $30,000 for others. It aims to foster economic growth in rural areas by supporting projects that enhance business capacity and community development while ensuring the funds benefit designated rural regions.

The Vermont Children's Trust Foundation offers program grants aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency, truancy, and substance abuse among children aged 0-18. These grants support community-based initiatives that promote positive family functioning, enhance societal support, and address protective factors for at-risk youth. Organizations can apply for one-year grants up to $12,000 or three-year grants up to $15,000 annually, fostering sustainable programming to benefit Vermont's families and children.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project Capital Grant, offered by the Open Space Institute, supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and enhancing landscape connectivity. Established in 1974, the OSI has protected over 2.5 million acres in the Eastern US and Canada, focusing on land that ensures clean drinking water and wildlife habitats. This grant is specifically for projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area, promoting sustainable community benefits.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Vermont

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

The Rural Business Development Grants in New Hampshire aim to support small rural businesses by providing technical assistance and training. While there is no maximum grant amount, applications from the Northeast Kingdom are capped at $200,000, and other regions at $50,000. The funds can be used for various projects including training, market research, and community development. This initiative is crucial for fostering economic growth in rural areas, ensuring sustainable business practices and enhancing local economies.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Vermont provide funding to qualified organizations to assist very-low- and low-income families in constructing their own homes through cooperative efforts. Recipients offer technical and supervisory support, helping families complete loan applications and enabling their participation in self-help housing projects. This initiative fosters community development while alleviating housing challenges in rural areas. Eligible applicants include government non-profits, federally-recognized tribes, and private non-profits.

The TD Charitable Foundation's Capacity Building Fund empowers nonprofit organizations by providing grants aimed at enhancing their operational capabilities. Established in 2002, this initiative focuses on funding projects that promote job training, arts, and housing assistance, particularly for historically underserved communities. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the foundation seeks to support organizations that align with its TD Ready Commitment drivers, ensuring impactful and sustainable community development.

Watersheds United Vermont 

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is a state-wide network of local groups dedicated to the health of their home watersheds.

WUV's mission is to empower community-based watershed groups in all parts of the state to protect and restore Vermont’s waters.

Watershed Groups are broadly defined as a community-based organization working with individuals and communities in their local watersheds to protect and improve water quality, habitat, and flood resilience and to build social and ecological connections with Vermont’s waters. Watershed organizations work with all watershed constituents and do not represent a specific constituency or interest group. 

Enhancement Project Development Grant (EPDG)

Overview

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is administering funding under the Enhancement Project Development Grant (EPDG) program, which will support the project development of priority water quality enhancement projects from July 2026 through June 2028. WUV seeks proposals for the development of new enhancement projects and for the development efforts needed between the design and implementation phases of enhancement projects.

The EPDG program is part of WUV’s larger Enhancement Development, Design and Implementation Block Grant (EDDIBG) through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s (VT DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP). WUV has separated out the Project Development portion of this grant as the work completed under project development is significantly different from the work completed under design and implementation.

No match is required under this program. Please note that this funding can be used as match/leverage for other funding sources.

The George W. Mergens Foundation Grant supports educational and experiential opportunities for youth, continuing a legacy of over $12 million in funding. Established in 1994 to honor George Mergens, the foundation focuses on enriching the lives of children and adolescents through health, education, and leadership programs. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Vermont, primarily serving youth. The foundation aims to partner with groups addressing significant community needs.

Haymarket People's Fund offers Sustaining Grants to grassroots organizations focused on community organizing and social change. Grants up to $20,000 are available for both emerging and established groups that align with Haymarket's anti-racist mission. The fund prioritizes work that addresses root causes of injustice, fosters leadership, and builds accountability within the community. Organizations not primarily providing direct services or advocacy are encouraged to apply, ensuring a focus on transformative social change.

The Haymarket People's Fund offers Urgent Response Grants of up to $5,000 for grassroots organizations in New England to address unforeseen crises or opportunities. These grants support both urban and rural social justice efforts and do not require 501(c)3 status. Priority is given to organizations led by people of color that incorporate anti-racism values. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis after a preliminary conversation with Haymarket staff.

John Estrella Foundation: Helping Hand GrantThe John Estrella Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in memory of John Estrella.

Our funding supports a clinical protocol to acquire tumor samples from kidney cancer patients who have a kidney removed. These important samples are being used to identify factors that help predict which patients are likely to require additional therapy for their disease. With our continued funding, this protocol has been expanded to other major hospitals in the area, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Purpose of the Grant: In addition to the ever-mounting cost of medicines and treatment, people with Kidney Cancer often need assistance with expenses like transportation, living expenses, home care, and childcare. The purpose of our grant is to provide support to individuals and their families experiencing financial burdens associated with a diagnosis of and treatment for Kidney Cancer.

The Ludcke Foundation

Guidelines

To identify and support charitable endeavors that provide needed resources and services to children and families, with an emphasis on emotional and physical health, education, and social development.

The Foundation devotes its grants to the fields of education, health, and human services. The trustees have a special interest in programs that focus across two or three of the foundation’s areas of interest and in partnering with other donors with similar objectives to enable more ambitious projects.

Current Grantmaking Preferences

Job training for systems involved young people, job training for adults facing significant barriers, and limited support for innovative approaches to helping children in underserved New England communities overcome significant and often overlapping barriers to educational success.

Access to health programs for all ages, and behavioral health services for children and teens in underserved communities or otherwise facing significant barriers.

Homelessness prevention, housing assistance, food security, legal assistance, holistic family support, support for young people at risk, and support for victims of domestic violence.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Vermont provides essential funding to develop community facilities in rural areas with populations under 20,000. It supports public services like health care, education, and public safety, ensuring these communities can thrive. Eligible applicants include public bodies and non-profit organizations, with grants covering up to 75% of project costs based on income criteria. Applications are accepted year-round, but early submission is encouraged for timely processing.

The Appalachian Landscapes Project Catalyst Grant supports climate-informed planning for land protection and stewardship in the Appalachian region. With funding up to $20,000 available, the grant aims to enhance community resilience and promote strategic land conservation efforts. Eligible applicants include land trusts, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities. Projects should prioritize broad-scale conservation planning and engage local communities to ensure specific benefits are achieved within a 12-18 month timeframe.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont provides essential funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and stormwater drainage in eligible rural areas. This program specifically targets households and businesses that struggle to secure commercial credit, aiming to enhance public health and environmental quality. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes, ensuring that vital services are accessible to all. Projects funded must demonstrate financial sustainability.

The William P. Wharton Trust Grant supports projects that align with the vision of its patron, focusing on tangible outcomes. It prioritizes land conservation efforts that protect natural resources over recreational use. The Trust aims to leverage funds for impactful environmental initiatives and encourages collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants include public charities and governmental units, while grants are limited to direct project costs. Notably, the Trust avoids funding for overhead, construction, and educational programs for youth below college level.