Search Through Water Grants in Vermont in the U.S.

What does this program do?

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

What kind of event can qualify as an emergency?

• Drought or flood
• Earthquake
• Tornado or hurricane
• Disease outbreak
• Chemical spill, leak or seepage
• Other disasters

How may the funds be used?

• Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
• Water source grants up to $1,000,000 are to construct a water source, intake or treatment facility

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps prevent damage or restore households and business' access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Vermont’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary program designed to reduce sediment runoff and improve water quality by removing land from agricultural production and establishing vegetative buffers. State and federal funds are used to compensate landowners for the loss of productive agricultural land through upfront incentive payments and annual rental payments based on the total acreage dedicated to vegetated filter strips, forested buffers, or grassed waterways.

Financial Assistance

• Enrolled farms receive a lump sum payment once the state and federal contracts are signed, and then rental payments annually for the next 15 years.
• Upfront (lump sum) payment for pasture and hayland are $415 per acre. Upfront payment for annual cropland ranges from $795 to $1,905 per acre, based on the quality of soil within the buffer area.  
• Annual rental payments for pasture and hayland range from $80 to $120 per acre per year. Annual rental payments for cropland range from $150‐300 per acre per year.  
• Federal cost‐share and incentive payments are also typically available to cover 90% of the implementation costs for fence, pipeline, water tubs, stream crossings, water source development, riparian forest buffers and filter strips where livestock are grazing adjacent to a buffer. In most instances these costs can be 100% covered with help from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

About the Vermont Community Foundation

The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as a permanent source of support for the state. We are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. We provide the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make your giving easy and inspiring. Together, our funds and programs put more than $60 million a year to work in Vermont and beyond, through grants and investments.

Our Mission

Better Together: Inspiring giving and bringing together people and resources to make a difference in Vermont.

Special and Urgent Needs Grant (SUN)

The Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) grant round helps Vermont nonprofits with unexpected expenses that impact their ability to meet their mission. A SUN grant can help an organization manage an unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergency or take advantage of an unanticipated opportunity that will enhance its work.

Grant Size

Grants of up to $5,000 are typically awarded from this fund.

Deadline and Notification

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage organizations to apply as soon as the need and a plan to address the need are identified. Decisions will be made within 20 business days of receiving the application.   

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)

The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) helps agricultural producers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices.

NRCS administers the conservation provisions while Agricultural Marketing Service and Risk Management Agency implement the production diversification and marketing provisions.

How It Works

Producers may construct or improve water management structures or irrigation structures; plant trees for windbreaks or to improve water quality; and mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices, including soil erosion control, integrated pest management, or transition to organic farming.

Program At A Glance

• AMA provides financial assistance up to 75 percent of the cost of installing conservation practices.
• Total AMA payments shall not exceed $50,000 per participant for any fiscal year.
• Participants are not subject to Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985.
• Participants are subject to Adjusted Gross Income provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985.
• AMA offers an additional higher cost-share for historically underserved producers.

Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

How It Works

If you are already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are, CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals.

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations.

For example, if you have been planting a cover crop, you may decide to try an enhancement for a multi species cover crop or implement a deep-rooted cover crop to break up soil compaction and further improve the health of your soil.

CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Want to take it a step further? CSP also offers bundles where you can select a suite of enhancements and receive a higher payment rate.

Benefits

CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the United States. Thousands of people voluntarily enroll in the program because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation.

CSP participants are seeing real results.  Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced resiliency to weather and market volatility
• Decreased need for agricultural inputs
• Improved wildlife habitat conditions

CSP Contracts

The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.

Contract payments are based on two components:

• Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and
• Payments to implement additional conservation activities.

NRCS may provide a minimum annual payment of $1,500 in any year the Chief determines the total contract payment amount is below a base level.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Vermont

What does this program do?

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

• Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
• Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
• Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
• Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

• Legal and engineering fees
• Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
• Start-up operations and maintenance
• Interest incurred during construction
• Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
• Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
• See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list

Our Mission

Who we are, what we care about, how we work — and what guides our giving strategy.

Engaging Vermonters in Their Changing Landscape

For more than 50 years, the Lintilhac Foundation has been supporting and partnering with nonprofit organizations in working toward a stronger, healthier Vermont — one in which human and natural communities can all thrive together.

Our Core Giving Areas

Clean energy and climate change

Vermont has become a leader in replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy – yet there’s much more still to do. Explore renewable energy initiatives

Water quality

Nonprofits have spurred real action on cleaning up Lake Champlain, protecting Vermont’s rivers, streams and wetlands, and removing chemicals from drinking water. View water quality projects

Forest health and biodiversity

Protecting our woodlands is essential — for climate-change resilience and for the well-being and diversity of our wildlife, plant life and micro-communities. View forest health and biodiversity initiatives

Conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation

Protecting old-growth forests and backcountry lands — with networked trails, huts and community forests — strengthens human and ecosystem health while boosting the rural economy. Conservation and recreation achievements

Securing healthy food systems

Building Vermont’s capacity to produce safe, healthy food, and expanding everyone’s access to it, nourishes the well-being of our farms, our families and our communities.

Preserving democracy

From the grass roots all the way up, the need to protect and strengthen our democratic systems has never been greater than it is today.

Environmental science

Advancing knowledge about the natural world — and Lake Champlain in particular — has long been a foundation priority.

Our Legacy Giving is focused into two fields:

Women’s Reproductive Health

• Midwifery and lactation support
• Supporting women’s mental and emotional health (both before and after childbirth)

Media & Civic Engagement

• Current events
• Reflection and analysis of ongoing problems
• Education about the public policy process

The One Hive Foundation is a private foundation that supports nonprofit research and community partners to promote pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture. One Hive’s mission is to promote pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture.

We fund research and non-profits to:

• Increase available data on the impact of our actions on the environment
• Accelerate solutions that combine science, innovation, and respect for the environment
• Support the next generation of diverse farmers who will foster ecologically responsible agriculture practices into the future

We function as a hub of collaboration by::

• Sharing research findings
• Facilitating communication among partners and funders
• Raising public awareness

The One Hive Foundation Grant

In 2022, One Hive Foundation launched its grantmaking, providing grants to organizations in Vermont and beyond. We recognize the enormous amount of time researchers and nonprofits spend seeking funds and reporting on grants. One Hive Foundation has a streamlined application and reporting process so that experts in the field can spend more time doing the work of our shared missions (and what really matters!).

One Hive will accept requests that align with our Mission, Vision, and Values and one or more of our focus areas:

• Scientific research focused on the threats to native and managed pollinators and efforts to improve pollinator health.
• Public education and advocacy focused on pollinator awareness, food security, water quality, and pesticide use reduction.
• Projects that seek to translate scientific research for the general public understanding (including through independent journalism).
• Initiatives that seek to link scientific research and public policy.
• Projects that replicate successful, collaborative approaches to public education, policy, and advocacy.
• General operating support to build capacity of advocacy or membership organizations related to pollinator health and/or beekeeping.
• Programs to nurture a diverse collaborative, and well-networked next generation of farmers (including beekeepers), scientists, and advocates.
• Projects that examine agricultural impacts to public health (including but not limited to pesticide exposure, disease vectors, nutrition, and ecojustice).
• Projects that partner with businesses to improve pollinator conservation practices across supply chains, facilities, and consumer education.

The One Hive Foundation has a primary geographic focus in Vermont, followed by the northeast, but will also consider requests for work in other states across the US as well as Canada that support the Foundation’s focus areas as noted above. Foundation will consider requests of up to $75,000 per year and anticipates making grants at a variety of dollar amounts, including small grants. 

These mini-grants provide professional development funds for the staff and volunteers of qualified watershed organizations in the Lake Champlain Basin, to cover expenses such as travel, meals, registration and accommodations at meetings, conferences, workshops and other venues designed to enhance the organizations’ capacity to operate. 

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is a Congressionally-designated initiative to restore and protect Lake Champlain and its surrounding watershed. We work with partners in New York, Vermont, and Québec to coordinate and fund efforts to address challenges in the areas of phosphorus pollution, toxic substances, biodiversity, aquatic invasive species, and climate change. The LCBP also administers the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, which builds appreciation and improves stewardship of the region’s rich cultural resources by interpreting and promoting its history.

Background

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is administering funding under Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development (CWWCD) Block Grant to support and invest in the capacity of our clean water partners in Vermont, both current and potential, in an equitable and inclusive way to address unmet capacity needs and ensure a strong partnership network that continues to efficiently deliver high quality and high priority clean water projects.

This grant is meant to build capacity in under-resourced entities to increase their ability to engage in more clean water projects, engage in more complex clean water projects, or propel others to do clean water projects.

Objectives

The goal of this program is to fund capacity activities that contribute to at least one of the following three broad objectives categories:

• The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP)  seeks to fund activities that help clean water workforce organizations catalyze  community engagement, relationship building, and enhanced representation.
  • This may include:
    • activities that increase the organization’s presence in the community or grow the community's awareness or knowledge of the organization,
    • activities that  grow community commitment and interest in  the organization's clean water efforts, 
    • activities that inspire the clean water efforts of  others, activities that help an organization sustain relationships over time, and
    • activities that diversify and build audience inclusion or that increase a community’s representation within organizational decision-making.
  • Examples:
    • Develop and implement a strategic and responsive communications plan 
    • Hire a communications professional or a “community liaison” to reach new audiences
    • Implement education campaigns or materials development (including websites, mobile apps, recorded webinar series, guidebooks, fact sheets, and resource libraries on content such as water quality conservation benefits and  practices, research trials, regulatory requirements, grant opportunities, innovative practices and initiatives)
    • Host or perform outreach at in-person or virtual workshops, events, and trainings 
    • Design and deliver enhanced volunteer recruitment and training to grow the size and skillset of an organization's volunteer network. This might include volunteer recruitment efforts and tools, training opportunities, more  volunteer days, or hiring a volunteer coordinator. 
    • Foster stronger personal relationships with landowners through one-on-one technical assistance
    • Support board stipends to incentivize participation on boards from community members who would not otherwise be able to join, with an aim of making the board more representative of the community the organization  serves.
    • Invest in customer management database tools to better track and record prior landowner conversations and relationships.
• CWIP seeks to fund activities that help clean water workforce organizations transition  administrative, financial, and fundraising roles and processes towards sustainable and  streamlined solutions.
  • This may include:
    • activities that shift administrative, financial  and fundraising responsibilities away from programmatic staff,
    • activities that increase an organization's administrative, financial and fundraising competencies, or
    • activities that help organizations streamline administrative, financial and fundraising work.
  • Examples:
    • Hire or contract with development or financial management/bookkeeping professionals who are knowledgeable in nonprofit and governmental budgeting, fundraising, and accounting.
    • Hire or contract with human resource or administrative professionals.
    • Contract with a legal or human resource expert to vet personnel and other policies
    • Attend external trainings for staff, volunteers, or board members in topics including payroll planning, project and organizational budgeting and nonprofit and governmental accounting, and calculating/negotiating indirect and  billable rates.
    • Perform a financial audit
    • Document Standard Operating Procedures for certain administrative or financial processes
    • Update sales platforms or accounting software
    • Support programmatic personnel expenses during gaps in project work to provide longer term stability in personnel planning
• CWIP seeks to fund activities that support professional development and a workforce  pipeline for careers in clean water project management.
  • This may include:
    • activities that focus on recruitment and on-boarding of a  diverse “next generation” workforce,
    • activities that support professional development and training in clean water project topics, and
    • activities that strengthen peer-peer and co learning networks.
  • Examples:
    • Attend trainings in a range of clean water project topics for staff to grow skills or knowledge in clean water project  implementation. 
    • Support personnel hours for new programmatic staff unable to charge time to existing project-based grants or while shadowing seasoned staff on tag-along or mentorship days. 
    • Develop formal onboarding procedures and training materials, or human resource systems that encourage  professional development growth plans. 
    • Develop Clean Water Project Management Standard Operating Procedures or best practices and considerations to  train new staff in. 
    • Perform staff recruitment in new and diverse venues.
    • Host a collaborative project demonstration day for peers

Each capacity activity must lead to one of the following 3 impacts types:

• Our organization is able to perform more clean water work
• Our organization is able to perform more complex clean water work
• Our organization is more effective at propelling the clean water efforts of others

Lake Champlain Basin Program

Mission

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources, in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals.

Aquatic Organism Passage

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in coordination with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (“NEIWPCC”), is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects that will directly support the Healthy Ecosystem goals of Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin by restoring aquatic organism passage in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. The intent of this opportunity is to remove barriers to aquatic organism passage and restore stream connectivity, adding high-quality habitat, connecting cold-water stream networks, and enhancing natural ecosystem function of river systems.

Approximately $2.5 million is available to support awarded projects. Proposals should offer a scope that supports work in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain basin. 

Targeted outcomes for projects in this category include improved aquatic organism passage; connected, cold-water stream networks; and enhanced natural ecosystem function of river systems.

Activities supported by this funding opportunity could include all phases of culvert replacement or dam removal projects, including but not limited to: Engagement, education, and outreach efforts (to foster future removal of barriers to aquatic organism passage and restore stream connectivity); Project screening/scoping; Feasibility and/or alternatives analyses; Engineering design and/or permitting; Construction/site restoration; Site monitoring; and Site maintenance.

What We Do

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. 

Background

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is administering a new round of funding under the Enhancement Dam Removal Design and Implementation Block Grant program, which will serve to support dam removal projects that meet the statutory intent and goals of the Water Quality Enhancement Grants. Funding is provided by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s (VT DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP). WUV seeks proposals for the preliminary design, final design, and implementation of dam removal projects. 

Purpose

Financial assistance is available for new or innovative equipment that will aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes to state waters, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers when they apply manure.

What We Do

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.

Riparian Buffer Block Grant

WUV’s Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Riparian Buffer Block Grant is for organizations to implement high priority, cost-effective, native riparian woody buffer plantings. This funding will support the implementation of forested woody buffers along rivers and streams using native vegetation. Projects must have a minimum buffer width of 35 feet and a minimum planting density of at least 300 stems/acre.

Mission

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) coordinates and funds efforts to benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources, in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals.

The LCBP maintains inclusive partnerships that empower diverse communities to take action toward improving and protecting the natural resources and the cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin.

The LCBP envisions rich natural resources and cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin that are stewarded by a diverse, inclusive, informed, and engaged community working together for the common good of Lake Champlain for current and future generations.

Lake Champlain is an enormous resource requiring special care and stewardship – this comprehensive management plan, Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin (OFA), is a coordinated effort to inform, guide, and assist essential stewardship efforts for the watershed.

Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems Research Projects

These grants support for projects to further the mission of the LCBP and address the research tasks outlined in our management plan, Opportunities for Action.

Note that research projects may have an implementation or planning component, including pilot studies or studies on implementation efficacy.

WUV Enhancement Design and Implementation Block Grant

Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is administering the first round of funding under the Enhancement Design and Implementation Block Grant program, which will serve to support the design and implementation of priority water quality enhancement projects. Funding is provided by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s (VT DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP). WUV seeks proposals for the preliminary design, final design, and implementation of enhancement projects.

 No match is required under this program. Voluntary leverage/match is appreciated, particularly for larger implementation projects. Please note that this funding can be used as match/leverage for other funding sources.

Lake Champlain Basin Program

Mission

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources, in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals.

Land Aquisition and Conservation RFP

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (“LCBP”) and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (“NEIWPCC”) are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the acquisition of land or conservation easements on land located in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin to further LCBP’s goals, as outlined in LCBP’s Management Plan entitled Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin.

Awards from this competition will support projects resulting in the acquisition of fee simple interest or conservation easements with the primary goal of advancing Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems in alignment with LCBP’s core goals. Priority will be given to projects that protect or improve water quality, enhance aquatic, riparian, or shoreline habitat for native species or provide flood resiliency. Opportunities to increase public access for recreation, along with other benefits consistent with LCBP goals, will be considered as co-benefits but should not be the primary purpose of projects supported through this program.

Requests for funds solely to support stewardship costs associated with existing conserved lands will not be considered

Each applicant may request a minimum of $100,000 up to a maximum of $4,000,000 for an individual proposal. Multiple proposals will be accepted from a single organization in response to this RFP.

• Here are the additional associated grants in regards to this opportunity:
  • Here is the Tier 1 - Assessment Projects page.
  • Here is the Tier 2 - Planning Projects page.

Environmental Justice for New England Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

A total of $48 million will be awarded to New England community-based organizations, environmental justice organizations, nonprofits, Tribal governments (both federally and state recognized), and other entities representing underserved, urban, rural, Indigenous, remote, and capacity-constrained communities. The funds will support organizations implementing projects to address local environmental and public health challenges across the region, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Eligible applicants can apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers as well as the Seed Fund for organizations with limited capacities.

Tier 3 - Implementation of Projects

Tier 3 will grant up to $350,000 for up to two years. Projects in this tier should support implementation projects informed by community planning and research. Projects may have educational and outreach components but must focus on developing tangible community assets or providing defined community benefits.

Examples of project activities include but are not limited to:

• Strengthening cumulative impact, public health, or environmental justice protections
• Increasing access to healthy food
• Reducing the use of pesticides or toxic substances
• Cleaning up contaminated sites
• Conducting healthy home assessments
• Increasing energy or water efficiency in homes or buildings
• Creating community resilience hubs

In a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Justice for New England will implement the EJ Thriving Communities Subgrants in New England. This grant program seeks to counter historical disinvestment in communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis including communities of color, immigrant communities, indigenous communities, urban, rural, and low-income communities. It seeks to seed and build deeper capacity for a sustainable environmental justice movement to address environmental hazards, climate resiliency, and energy justice, and build livable and healthy communities.

Mission

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) coordinates and funds efforts to benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources, in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals.

The LCBP maintains inclusive partnerships that empower diverse communities to take action toward improving and protecting the natural resources and the cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin.

The LCBP envisions rich natural resources and cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin that are stewarded by a diverse, inclusive, informed, and engaged community working together for the common good of Lake Champlain for current and future generations.

Lake Champlain is an enormous resource requiring special care and stewardship – this comprehensive management plan, Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin (OFA), is a coordinated effort to inform, guide, and assist essential stewardship efforts for the watershed.

Request for Proposals

Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than 1,000 grants to local organizations to support a variety of pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and other projects that improve the quality of Lake Champlain. In that same time, the LCBP and its partner organizations also have funded numerous projects conducted by universities, consultants, research foundations, nonprofit organizations, and others. These projects include scientific research, best management demonstration projects, education and outreach efforts, and other initiatives that are key to implementing Opportunities for Action.

Organizational Support Grant

These grants work on providing organizational support.

Mission

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) coordinates and funds efforts to benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources, in partnership with government agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, private organizations, local communities, and individuals.

The LCBP maintains inclusive partnerships that empower diverse communities to take action toward improving and protecting the natural resources and the cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin.

The LCBP envisions rich natural resources and cultural heritage of the Lake Champlain Basin that are stewarded by a diverse, inclusive, informed, and engaged community working together for the common good of Lake Champlain for current and future generations.

Lake Champlain is an enormous resource requiring special care and stewardship – this comprehensive management plan, (OFA), is a coordinated effort to inform, guide, and assist essential stewardship efforts for the watershed.

Request for Proposals

Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than 1,500 grants to local organizations to support a variety of pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and other projects that improve the quality of Lake Champlain. In that same time, the LCBP and its partner organizations also have funded numerous projects conducted by universities, consultants, research foundations, nonprofit organizations, and others. These projects include scientific research, best management demonstration projects, education and outreach efforts, and other initiatives that are key to implementing Opportunities for Action.

Large Education and Outreach Project Grants

These grants are for large educational  projects.

The primary purpose of the Canaday Family Charitable Trust is to encourage and support not-for-profit organizations that work in Vermont to improve the lives of children and families, promote environmental conservation and education, and reduce economic and racial inequality. The foundation seeks to fund innovative programs with clear, measurable goals for creating unique and significant improvements in the lives of children and in the environment.

The Trustees favor programs that advance the following Canaday Family values:

• Making a difference
• Having a measurable impact
• Sustainability
• Building knowledge, skills, & values
• Promoting self-sufficiency
• Advancing racial equity

Fields of Interest

Children And Youth Services

• Grant areas include, but are not limited to, children’s education, health, housing, and insofar as it is in keeping with the Trust’s charitable nature, advocacy for children. Projects may directly benefit Vermont children, or might engage in public education on children’s issues or in research to identify, characterize, and measure children’s needs.

Environment

• Grant areas include, but are not limited to, quality of land, water, and air, land use, waste disposal, biodiversity, sustainability, community involvement, and education.
• Vermont already has some of the most stringent environmental laws in the country; research into non-regulatory means of achieving environmental goals is encouraged.

Economic Opportunity

• Consistent with its support for programs that benefit Vermont’s children, the Trust’s newest area of interest makes grants to programs that increase the standard of living for Vermont families.
• This has included job training programs, community organizing for affordable health care, and programs that encourage affordable housing and development. Programs supported share the Trust’s value of responsible environmental stewardship

The trustees have established a set of informal guidelines:

• When a project has activities partly inside and partly outside of Vermont (for example, the project’s boundaries are watershed-driven, as opposed to political), we will consider funding the Vermont portion of the project, but other funding must be found for the non- Vermont portion.
• We provide operating funding for existing organizations by invitation only. Proposals for funding for capital purchases (e.g., equipment) are considered.
• We are open to experimental projects even when a successful outcome is not assured, provided the impact of the projects is significant.
  • We believe that a failed project that discovers why it failed may in the long run be more valuable than a successful project that learns nothing from its success.
• Specificity, clarity, and brevity are encouraged.
• A proposal for a school curriculum project should identify teachers, administrators, parents, and others who have requested and will be prepared to support the project.
• Familiarity with programs previously funded by the Canaday Family Charitable Trust is assumed and proposals for similar work should explain how that work expands or improves previously-funded work.
  • For example, proposals for restorative justice programs should incorporate the policy work by Voices for Vermont’s Children in this area.
• We provide operating funding for existing organizations by invitation only.
  • Proposals for funding for capital purchases (e.g., equipment) are considered.

Watershed Grant Since its creation in 1998, the Vermont Watershed Grant Program has supported the protection, restoration, enhancement, and public appreciation of Vermont’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.The grant program also supports efforts to improve surface water quality in keeping with stated habitat improvement objectives. The program provides grants to towns, nonprofit organizations and community groups with specific watershed projects. Eligible ProjectsProjects must be watershed related and can include monitoring, education, conservation, recreation, or historic enhancement. Some specific examples include:

• Protecting or restoring fish and wildlife habitats;
• Protecting or restoring water quality, and shorelines;
• Reducing phosphorus loading and/or sedimentation as part of DEC’s Clean Water Initiative objectives;
• Enhancing recreational use and enjoyment;
• Identifying and protecting historic and cultural resources;
• Educating people about watershed resources; or
• Monitoring fish and wildlife populations and/or water quality.

The Vermont Arts Council is offering a funding opportunity to communities poised to integrate works of public art into upcoming infrastructure projects. The Council seeks proposals for projects that provide opportunities for artists to engage with the community in the design and/or fabrication of permanent or temporary public art for an interior or exterior site that is accessible and open to the public.

The Animating Infrastructure program is designed to foster partnerships between communities and artists. The intent is to enhance a sense of community pride and identity, foster social connections, and improve the livability and vibrancy of Vermont communities, downtowns, villages, and neighborhoods. Through the development and installation of site-specific works of public art, Vermont communities can reflect their vision, values, and creative spirit.

For this program’s purpose, the Arts Council’s definition of infrastructure is broad and includes community facilities and services such as buildings, trails, water or sewer systems, roads, power systems, parks, and more. Functional components of infrastructure such as sidewalks, railings, benches, walls, signs, stairs, tree grates, fences, water fountains, and more in the built and/or natural environment have the potential for artistic enhancement that creates unique places where people want to live, work, visit, and play.

A panel will review the project pitches and select a small number of applicants to invite to submit full proposals. The Arts Council will award funds to four to six projects that demonstrate a collaborative process that sparks a creative, lively integration of public art into existing or proposed community infrastructure projects. For the funded projects, the Council will provide guidance to the grantee in the artist selection process and assist in outreach to Vermont artists. The community will be responsible for implementation. Grantees will be asked to document their process and product through stories, photos, videos, models, etc.

Funds will be awarded for:

Public Art Design($5,000 maximum): Grant funds may be used to conduct a process to select an artist(s) or to work with an already identified artist for your public art project. The grant should support the artist(s) fees to design the artwork and to engage the community.

Public Arts Implementation ($15,000 maximum): Grant funds may be used to support an artist in the fabrication and installation of public art for a previously designed project.

Water Quality Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant

 The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) is administering funding under the Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant (EDDIBG) program and seeks proposals for project development, engineering design, and implementation of water quality enhancement projects.

Funding under the EDDIBG will support water quality enhancement projects that meet the defined statutory goals, which have established a broader definition of water quality improvements to include benefits that have previously been considered co-benefits (ex. flood resiliency, recreational benefits). Projects that seek to achieve any of the Enhancement Grant statutory goals are eligible for EDDIBG funds, if they meet all other CWIP funding requirements and MARC subgrant requirements.

You will find this application is divided into two project categories:

• Category A: For Project Development Projects (General Project Scoping and Specific Project Development Activities including development efforts needed between the design and implementation phases of enhancement projects)
• Category B: For Engineering Design and Implementation Projects (Preliminary (30%) Design, Final (100%) Design, and Implementation)

Program Background

The EDDIBG is funded by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) to support project development, engineering design, and implementation of priority water quality enhancement projects statewide. EDDIBG is a sub-initiative under the Water Quality Enhancement Grant Program (10 V.S.A. § 926) established under the Clean Water Service Delivery Act (Act 76 of 2019).

Funding

The MARC has available $1,980,188 to support eligible project development, engineering design, and implementation expenses. No local match is required under this program.

Background

The State of Vermont received a $16 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in 2015. In 2020, this grant was extended for five years with an additional $10 million in assistance to farmers and forest landowners. This program provides financial and technical assistance for the development and implementation of water quality improvement throughout Vermont. Funds are available for agricultural and forestry best management practices, for wetland restoration, and for agricultural, wetland, and forestry easements.

Unique opportunities through RCPP include the following:

• Many practices are covered at a 100% payment rate, based on the NRCS Practice List.
• If you meet certain practice requirements (e.g. implementing a cover crop early) you may be eligible for an additional incentive payment.
• RCPP practices are not included in the $450,000 NRCS Farm Bill cap. You have a maximum of $450,000 in RCPP as well.
• RCPP applications are in a separate funding pool, greatly increasing your chance of funding with less competition.

Program Initiatives

• Land Management Activities
  • Agricultural and forestry practices that directly relate to water quality improvement can be funded under RCPP. 
  • The list of practices that have been submitted to NRCS and are expected to be approved for funding at 100% of cost is available on the NRCS website.
  • Some examples include grazing practices, cover crops, reduced tillage, stream crossing, forest trails and landings, and tree/shrub establishment.
• Easements
  • Easements in the RCPP program can be at three levels:
    • highly restrictive (payment is up to 100% of the appraised value),
    • moderately restrictive (up to 75% of appraised value), and
    • minimally restrictive (up to 50% of appraised value.)
  • The landowner selects the level of restriction based on their desired future use of the property.
  • Additionally, any water quality related restoration work done on the land prior to the easement is funded at 100% of cost.
• Agricultural and Forestry Easements
  • Agricultural and forestry easements have greater flexibility than traditional NRCS ACEP-ALE (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Ag Land Easement) and can include more forestry protection.
• Wetland Easements
  • Wetland easements are prioritized based on size, recognizing the need for protection on smaller wetlands (priority is given to projects between 10-50 acres.)
  • Only passive restoration (e.g. tree and shrub plantings) is allowed.
  • Any active restoration projects should consider the ACEP-WRE (Wetland Restoration Easement) program.

EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:

• Improved water and air quality;
• Conserved ground and surface water;
• Increased soil health;
• Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation;
• Improved or created wildlife habitat; and
• Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines conservation practices and activities to help solve on-farm resource issues. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations. EQIP helps producers make conservation work for them. Financial assistance for practices may be available through EQIP.  Some producers may also qualify for advance payment.

Benefits

Some of these benefits include:

• Reduced contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
• Efficient use of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in nonpoint source pollution.
• Improved soil health, which mitigates against increasing weather volatility, improves drought resiliency and can positively affect climate change.
• Implementation of climate-smart practices that improve carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building resilient landscapes.

Vermont Initiatives

• Vermont Organic Farming
  • Assistance begins with the development of a conservation plan based on a needs assessment and each farmer’s unique goals.
  • The plan includes conservation practices, systems or activities, and the resource concerns identified in the assessment.
  • Common conservation practices, systems or activities planned include:
    • Improving irrigation efficiency;
    • Developing a Conservation Activity Plan for Transition that can be part of the OSP;
    • Establishing buffer zones;
    • Creating pollinator habitat;
    • Improving soil health and controlling erosion;
    • Developing a grazing plan and supportive livestock practices;
    • Enhancing cropping rotations;
    • Nutrient and pest management activities;
    • Managing cover crops; and
    • Installing a high tunnel system.
  • Additional information about the Organic Initiative
    • Financial assistance is limited to no more than $140,000 total over the 2018 Farm Bill years, 2019 through 2023.
    • Producers must meet all other eligibility requirements associated with EQIP
    • ​Participants who are not certified or exempt from certification, agree to develop and work towards implementing an Organic System Plan to meet National Organic Program organic certification through USDA
  • Although EQIP supports a wide variety of conservation practices, your local NRCS field office staff will work with you to develop an organic plan that includes practices that fits your resource needs as part of the Organic Initiative. Organic and transitioning farmers and ranchers may also apply for assistance through general EQIP or other conservation initiatives.
• Community Scale Ag
  • High Tunnel Initiative
    • A High Tunnel System, is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 
    • With high tunnel systems, no summer is too short or winter too cold because high tunnels:
      • Extend the growing season
      • Improve plant quality and soil quality
      • Reduce nutrient and pesticide transportation
      • Improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs
      • Reduce energy use by providing consumers with a local source of fresh produce

EQIP offers grant opportunities through Conservation Innovation Grants, which awards competitive grants that stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands.