(Children, Elderly & Family Services; Housing, Food & Shelter; Health)
The VCF wants to be a catalyst, providing funds to help nonprofit organizations explore or undertake new work or do more effectively what they are already doing. VCF grants are generally one-time grants and should not be considered a source of multi year support for one project or program. Although it’s unlikely, a second year grant will occasionally be awarded if the first year was successful and a second year award will help the organization build the sustainability of the project or program.
Deadline
Online applications are strongly encouraged and must be completed by midnight on September 5, 2008. Mailed applications must be postmarked by September 5, 2008.
Decisions will be made by:
December 30, 2008
Total amount available:
Up to $200,000
Grant size:
Up to $10,000 (average grant size is about $8,500)
Who is eligible:
Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor. Organizations applying must comply with the non-descrimination laws of the state of Vermont and must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
What we fund:
Categories of support for Basic Human Needs include, but are not limited to: children, elderly and family services, including economic development programs aimed at individuals or families; housing, food and shelter; and health.
See the 2007 Basic Human Needs Grants Report
See the 2006 Basic Human Needs Grants Report
We will accept requests for capacity-building, programmatic, or operating support. Operating support may be made under the following circumstances:
- compelling circumstance that would be effectively addressed by a one-year operating grant;
- the positive impact that a one-time operating grant will have on the organization;
- reasonable funding plan following one-year VCF grant.
What we don't fund:
We will not use VCF discretionary funds to support: endowments; capital campaigns (except for initial planning expenses); religious purposes; individuals; debts; or equipment (unless it is an integral part of an otherwise eligible project); we do not fund work that has already been completed. If you have questions about the eligibility of a project, please call one of our VCF philanthropic advisors to discuss.
How to submit your application:
Apply Online
or
Submit By Surface Mail
In the interest of allowing you to tell us the story of your work, we don't want to be overly restrictive in our requirements for submitting applications. However, we do have a few guidelines that enable us to efficiently and fairly process the many applications we receive each grant round. We ask that you provide us with three collated copies of the following:
- Completed cover sheet.
Download text version
Download PDF version - A three-page narrative (and no more than three pages) using 12 point font and one inch margins. Proposals that do not fit these guidelines will not be considered. The narrative must include the following:
- Documentation of need
- Feasibility of your proposed solution
- People who will benefit
- Activities you will undertake
- Outcomes you expect
- Methods for measuring success
- Personnel: List the personnel for the project, including their qualifications
- Project Budget. Include income sources (proposed and secured) and expenses. See a sample project budget.
- Organization Budget and Financial Statement: Include income sources (proposed and secured) and expenses.
- Two letters of support that demonstrate community need and support for your organization.
- List of Board of Directors.
Please do not send brochures, fliers, dvds/cds/videos, strategic plans, program guides, curriculum, etc. to support your application.
In addition, one copy of the following must accompany the application (if applicable, please submit fiscal sponsor's information).
- Tax-exempt letter from the IRS verifying your organization has 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
- Current audited financial statement or copy of the most recent IRS 990 tax return.
Please note: By submitting your application to the VCF, you give the VCF permission to share your application with other interested funders (if any), both individuals and foundations.
How we evaluate your application:
In evaluating applications, the VCF will consider the following criteria:
- Compatibility with the VCF’s guidelines
- Well-documented community need for organization and project
- The extent to which the project or program will address the needs of under-served populations within Vermont
- The impact of the project or program on building the capacity of the organization
- The sustainability of the project or program
- The extent to which the grant will help the VCF reach geographic areas throughout the state
- Community support for the project and the organization
- Likelihood of success
- Financial accountability of applicant
- Availability of VCF funds
Mail your application to:
Community Grantmaking Department
The Vermont Community Foundation
P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, VT 05753
Our Grantseeker Frequently Asked Questions is a great resource for information, and we are always here to help you. Feel free to contact
us directly.