Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

The Quality of Life Grants Program, managed by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, provides funding of up to $25,000 for projects that support individuals living with paralysis. This program emphasizes community engagement and health promotion in all U.S. states and territories. It focuses on funding initiatives that directly impact those affected by various conditions, such as spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, fostering inclusion and well-being.

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Opportunity

About RSVP

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged. 

Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers: Provide respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for older adults, including custodial grandparents, and caregivers.
• Helping Older Adults Re-enter the Workforce: Offer job readiness, mentoring, training, and remove barriers to employment for older adults (volunteers provide services, not seek jobs).
• Building Strong Families: Support parents in helping children succeed, mentor parents, connect families to resources, and strengthen community partnerships.
• Preventing and Mitigating Fraud and Scams: Use digital navigators and other strategies to protect older adults from financial fraud and exploitation, including emerging AI-driven scams.
• Reducing Homelessness: Develop or renovate affordable housing, assist people experiencing homelessness in finding and maintaining permanent housing, and address housing needs for vulnerable populations.
• Supporting Behavioral Health Initiatives: Improve mental health, reduce isolation, prevent substance use, provide harm reduction tools (Naloxone, fentanyl test strips), peer support, and recovery services.

Award Funding Requirements

Applicants must construct the budget in the following manner. The federal share of the budget must not exceed $75,000 plus up to $350 for every unduplicated volunteer, whether or not they serve in an outcome-based work plan. 

The Hope APFED/AAAAI Grant Award aims to support innovative research projects related to Eosinophilic Disorders, excluding asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. This initiative encourages collaboration between the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, providing a platform for independent researchers to secure future funding. Applicants must be AAAAI members and hold relevant academic positions, ensuring a commitment to advancing knowledge in allergy and immunology.

The AAAAI Allied Health Recognition Award honors non-physician members who have significantly contributed to allergy and immunology education or research. As part of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, this award emphasizes the importance of allied health professionals in advancing patient care. Eligible recipients include AAAAI Allied Health members who demonstrate excellence in their field, ensuring that contributions to the specialty are recognized and celebrated.

The AAAAI Distinguished Clinician Award honors individuals with a significant impact on allergy, asthma, and immunology. Recognizing those dedicated to patient care and clinical research, the award emphasizes excellence in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases. Recipients are selected based on their extensive clinical research and contributions to the field, including published works and presentations at national and international meetings. This prestigious recognition reflects the important role of clinicians in advancing allergy and immunology practices.

The AAAAI Travel Scholarship supports eligible professionals to attend the AAAAI Annual Meeting in Philadelphia from February 27 to March 2, 2026. This event features plenary sessions, workshops, and presentations on current research in allergy and immunology. The scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also fosters opportunities for networking and collaboration among attendees, enhancing their knowledge and experience in the field.

About

Our Impact

At the Co-op we are mission-driven to serve our members, the community, and the environment that we call home. Learn about the programs and initiatives that we champion and the results of our work.

Apply for a Grant

Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund financially supports businesses, organizations, and initiatives aligned with our mission.

Apply for a Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund Grant

Hunger Mountain Co-op wants everyone to feel welcome, and we strive to be an inclusive and anti-racist community.

This year, we will consider requests for grants of $250 to $3,000 and will only fund projects that are designed to support local food systems, food access, and projects that address inequities in the local food system. For our purposes, the local food system includes farmers, producers, food shelves, and organizations working to make food accessible to our community. Your application will be reviewed by the HMCCF Committee and the Co-op’s Council. Scoring criteria is at the bottom of the application. Grants will be announced at our Annual Meeting in September. Submission deadline: Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

By submitting this application, if approved, you give permission to announce the grant award through area media sources and use your organization as a recipient of a HMCCF Grant in promotional material.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's Expanded Impact Grants Program aims to support previously awarded Quality of Life grantees in expanding successful initiatives for individuals living with paralysis. Offering up to $100,000 for each of the four grants, this program seeks to enhance evidence-based practices that improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Eligible organizations must demonstrate previous success and be capable of scaling their impactful projects within 24 months.

The AAAAI Mentorship Award honors dedicated mentors who significantly impact the careers of trainees and colleagues in the field of allergy and immunology. By supporting and guiding more than one mentee, awardees embody the core values of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This prestigious recognition highlights the importance of mentorship in fostering professional growth and advancing the specialty, benefiting both individuals and the broader medical community.

The 15 and the Mahomies Foundation Grants aim to enhance the lives of children by supporting health, wellness, and community initiatives. This private foundation seeks to fund 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, focusing on charitable causes. Grant requests are reviewed quarterly, and applicants must meet eligibility criteria. However, the foundation does not accept applications from individuals or for non-charitable items such as autographs or game tickets.

The AAAAI Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions from members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. This prestigious award honors those who have demonstrated long-standing commitment and service to the organization, focusing on their influence in advancing the field of allergy and immunology. Eligible recipients include senior members and past presidents, particularly those nearing retirement, thereby celebrating their dedication to the specialty and the patients they serve.

The AAAAI Distinguished Layperson Award recognizes non-medical citizens for their significant contributions to the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology. Established by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), this annual award honors individuals who have promoted public education, supported research, and influenced positive change in legislation related to allergies. This acknowledgment reflects the growing importance of citizen volunteers in advancing the specialty and improving patient care.

The FY26 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Idea Development Award aims to fund innovative research that enhances understanding and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The program encourages creative approaches that challenge existing paradigms and fosters impactful discoveries. A special career development option is available for early-career investigators, offering mentorship and a tailored review process to support significant research advancements.

The W. Wesley Eckenfelder Graduate Research Award, administered by the AEESP Foundation, recognizes outstanding graduate students in environmental engineering and science whose research enhances wastewater management knowledge. This prestigious annual award offers a $1,500 honorarium and a plaque for winners, along with a $500 travel stipend for attending the AAEES awards ceremony. Eligible candidates include both Master’s and Ph.D. students who demonstrate exemplary academic performance and innovative research contributions.

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) invites applications for FY2028 funding to safeguard privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. This USDA Forest Service initiative collaborates with State agencies to protect vital forest ecosystems threatened by development. Participants can ensure the preservation of traditional forest uses and public benefits such as clean water, wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities. For more details, visit the USDA Forest Service website.

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Dam Safety Program focuses on rehabilitating high hazard potential dams that do not meet state safety standards. Funded by FEMA, this initiative aims to protect lives and property by providing federal funds to eligible states, which then pass these funds to non-Federal governmental or nonprofit organizations. Rehabilitation involves repairing, replacing, reconstructing, or removing dams to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The J.R. Simplot Company Foundation Grant supports U.S. non-profit organizations focused on art, education, youth, community, and global food and agriculture. Established in 1929, the foundation is committed to enhancing community welfare through creative cultural endeavors, educational initiatives, health services, and youth programs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, ensuring a timely response to organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.

The NIHCM Journalism Grants support projects that enhance health reporting and education, targeting critical issues such as healthcare affordability, pharmaceutical pricing, provider market dynamics, and chronic disease management. This initiative emphasizes the importance of informing policymakers and the public on how to improve healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Proposals may also explore the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery. Applications are welcome from journalists, nonprofits, and universities.

The FY26 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award aims to foster innovative therapeutic and diagnostic research for Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions. This award supports early-stage drug discovery and evaluation studies, as well as novel diagnostic methods that can be seamlessly implemented in clinical environments, ultimately enhancing patient care and quality of life.

The HEAL Initiative aims to identify new druggable targets for pain within the understudied proteome. This funding opportunity invites applications for pilot projects that generate preliminary data and tools for exploring these targets. The initiative seeks to enhance research on understudied proteins related to pain management, providing essential funding for biochemical and biological work. This NOFO is part of the NIH's broader effort to develop novel medications that address various aspects of opioid addiction and its consequences.

About Us

The Recycling Partnership is a team of experts, practitioners, and thought leaders who are deeply invested in protecting our natural resources, creating more sustainable communities, and delivering on our mission of building a better recycling system. We work alongside communities, companies, and policymakers to enact meaningful change across the entire recycling industry.

We firmly believe that if you want to recycle, you should be able to recycle. A robust and accessible recycling system is how we achieve this goal. A better system will deliver the true economic and environmental benefits that our people, our communities, and our entire recycling industry deserve.

This is our mission. This is our purpose. This is who we are. 

Grants for Processors/Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF)

Designed to help equipment manufacturers and MRFs boost throughput and increase capacity. 

The Recycling Partnership offers grants for community recycling programs, providing nearly $50 million to support 370 communities since 2014. Their mission is to create a robust and accessible recycling system that benefits people and the environment. Eligible applicants include publicly, privately, and non-profit owned MRFs in the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance curbside, drop-off, and multifamily recycling, ensuring that everyone can participate in sustainable practices.

The Elizabeth Furber Scholarship honors the legacy of Elizabeth Furber by providing financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students. This scholarship supports students pursuing full-time degrees in various fields, including fine arts, music, and creative writing. As a need-based award, it requires applicants to demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This opportunity empowers eligible students to achieve their academic goals.

The Bay Area Lyme Foundation Grant supports innovative research aimed at improving diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease. With a revised granting schedule, proposals can be submitted year-round, with reviews conducted three times annually. The foundation welcomes applications from universities, hospitals, and independent entities across the U.S., emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, especially for difficult cases.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation invites proposals for the RKMF Innovative Wood Products and Value Chains Grant, aimed at fostering innovation in wood products and strengthening value chains. With a focus on rural economic development and environmental conservation, the Foundation supports projects that enhance the use of novel wood materials in the built environment. Eligible initiatives may include product development, market strengthening, and demonstration of new technologies to maximize the benefits of these innovations.

The OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program aims to empower states, local and Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to provide crucial training and resources. This initiative focuses on addressing domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and caregiver abuse against individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals, enhancing direct services and support for these vulnerable populations.