Best Higher Education Grants 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.

Early-stage, impact-first education and social impact organizations in Vermont can access funding through Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation to scale proven solutions for underserved communities. Eligible independent nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits may receive up to US $300,000 plus intensive capacity-building support and connection to a global community, including higher education-focused initiatives with scalable, systems-level models.

Vermont higher education-focused nonprofits and NGOs using technology-driven programs for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment may be eligible for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Cisco Systems Foundation supports innovative, early-stage solutions serving predominantly economically underserved communities, with applications accepted year-round via an initial Letter of Inquiry.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

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.

Nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises supporting education, health, or family economic stability projects for children and youth in Vermont and across the U.S. can seek more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation prioritizes initiatives improving outcomes for urban low-income children and requires alignment with its values and focus areas.

Accredited charities running humanitarian, education, community, environmental, or arts projects can seek philanthropic support for innovative, sustainable initiatives, including those connected to higher education, in Vermont and worldwide. Grants from La Roche help organizations engage Roche expertise and employees while strengthening communities, advancing science education, and supporting contemporary cultural projects.

With a mission to support marginalized communities, nonprofits and educational organizations in Vermont and worldwide can seek Semnani Family Foundation funding for health, education, and humanitarian programs. Higher education institutions with initiatives in health access, literacy, or social services for vulnerable populations may be eligible within the foundation’s global focus countries, including the U.S.

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 higher education institutions, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes that act as Microenterprise Development Organizations can access funding to support rural microentrepreneurs and small business development. Vermont organizations can access funding through USDA to build or expand rural microloan revolving funds and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and microenterprises, with awards up to US $500,000.

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.

Vermont 501(c)(3) organizations serving socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals through immigrant services, workforce development, arts education, or related youth programs can access funding via the Clowes Fund. Multi-year operating support, including up to US $150,000 for continuation grants, may benefit programs that connect secondary students to post-secondary pathways and economic self-sufficiency.

Focused on grassroots community-building, Vermont organizations and community groups in Vermont can apply for Vermont Community Foundation’s Spark Connecting Community grants, awarding US $500 - US $5,000 for hyperlocal projects that strengthen social connections. Initiatives like experiential learning, public art, trails, or community dialogues may be eligible, with priority for smaller budgets and several northern counties.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving economic stability, health, literacy, workforce readiness, or providing disaster relief can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, operating, or capital support. Organizations in Vermont higher education communities that run qualifying community-focused programs may be eligible if they serve underserved or underrepresented individuals and families where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth and families with education, housing, food security, or environmental programs in Vermont and other eligible regions can apply for the True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000. Chick Fil A Foundation supports initiatives like academic enrichment, leadership development, hunger relief, and community or environmental projects.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on education and related services in the Southern region can apply for Robinson Foundation support; Vermont higher education programs may be eligible if they serve this area. Robinson Foundation provides Southern-region education and family-focused nonprofits with single-year funding for tangible, meaningful impact rather than capital projects.

With a mission to expand higher education access, the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation provides Vermont educational organizations with funding for college readiness, access, and postsecondary success programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, Tribal and religious organizations serving underserved New England students, including Vermonters, can request program, general operating, or research support focused on improving college completion outcomes.

Nonprofit corporations, rural public entities, higher education institutions, and similar organizations in Vermont can seek USDA: Rural Development funding to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. With a mission to strengthen rural economies, USDA: Rural Development provides Vermont higher education and community partners with up to US $200,000 for planning, counseling, incubators, revolving loan funds, and other rural business development projects.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Nonprofit organizations in Vermont with strong, replicable community partnerships may be eligible for national recognition and funding that highlights collaborative solutions to significant social issues. Mutual of America Foundation’s Community Partnership Award honors U.S. nonprofits leading effective public, private, or social sector collaborations that measurably improve lives and can serve as models for other higher education or community initiatives.

Focused on collaborative marine research, this program invites Vermont higher education institutions and partners in the American lobster industry to co-lead projects addressing ecological, regulatory, or socio-economic fishery challenges. Eligible teams must include both a researcher and an industry or community co-lead, with awards up to US $100,000 for actionable science.

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.

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and Federally Recognized Tribes in rural Vermont can obtain funding to build, purchase, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. USDA Rural Development supports projects such as libraries, museums, distance learning infrastructure, and other educational or community facilities that serve rural areas, with grant support scaled to community size and income levels.

Vermont higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities can access funding for education, entrepreneurship, environmental initiatives, and broader community enrichment projects. Georgia-Pacific Foundation prioritizes organizations within 30 miles of its manufacturing communities that strengthen long-term well-being where the company operates; Vermont organizations meeting this criterion may be eligible.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.