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Open Funding Opportunities

The grants below are accepting applications. If a grant you saw previously isn't here, the grant has closed.

To use this resource:

Feeling overwhelmed by all the grant opportunities? Consider booking a Consult on Call appointment with us to talk about your ideas and projects! We'll help sort through the chaff and provide you with a funding sources list customized for your project.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Economic Development Authority

Eligible Activities:  Provide loans for startup broadband projects and expansion of existing broadband networks. Eligible project costs include working capital, construction, and infrastructure/installation.

Funding Tool:  Loan

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.veda.org/broadband-loan-program

Note:  Feasibility study and/or a detailed business plan is required.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Community Broadband Board

Eligible Activities:  Finance broadband projects of eligible providers that are part of a Universal Service Plan. Projects must achieve speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps symmetrical at all on-grid underserved and unserved locations within their Universal Service Plan within 24 months of application approval or grant agreement deadline.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to a formula amount based on roads unserved or underserved in the CUD District or towns

Match:  Encouraged via Town Match Program for Broadband program, but not required.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; Eligibility Screening Pre-Proposal required. Full proposals are by invitation only.

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:

Note:  Municipalities are not eligible applicants, but are encouraged to work with a provider to apply for funding.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Community Broadband Board

Eligible Activities:  Preconstruction costs related to broadband projects that are part of a universal service plan and meet other criteria as specified in Act. 71. Eligible activities are feasibility studies, business planning, pole data surveys, engineering and design, and make-ready work associated with the construction of broadband networks, including consultant, legal, and administrative expenses, and any other cost deemed appropriate by the Board.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  up to a published estimated formula amount per Communication Union District (CUDs)

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://publicservice.vermont.gov/vt-community-broadband-board-vcbb/act-71-preconstruction-grant-program

Note:  This program is funded by State ARPA funds.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Department of Economic Development

Eligible Activities:  Remediation of brownfield sites for eligible sites

Funding Tool:  Grant to non-profits and municipalities; loans to private developers, nonprofits, and municipalities

Min/Max Funding:  Maximum $200,000 per parcel for DED’s federally funded program. No maximum limit for State funded program.

Match:  Required, but amount not specified for DED’s federally funded program. Match is 10% for State funded program.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form submitted via email

Link:  https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/brownfieldrevitalizationfundfederalprogram

Note:  Applicants must have completed a Phase 1 environmental site assessment prior to site acquisition and be enrolled in the Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Program (BRELLA)

Funding Entity:  Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Eligible Activities:  Assessment and remediation of brownfield sites for eligible sites

Funding Tool:  Grant and/or loan

Min/Max Funding:  Not specified on program website. Funding is gap funding.

Match:  Unknown. Application requests information about other funding sources.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form submitted via email

Link:  https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/contaminated-sites/brownfields/apply/technical-assistance-program

Note:  Applicants can have neither caused nor contributed to the contamination nor be connected to any person or organization that has caused or contributed to the contamination

Funding Entity:  Regional Planning Commissions

Eligible Activities:  Assessment and/or remediation of brownfield properties

Funding Tool:  Grant for assessment; grant and/or loan for remediation

Min/Max Funding:  Maximum $200,000 per parcel for federally funded program. No maximum limit for State funded program.

Match:  Varies by regional planning commission

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form submitted via email

Link:  Find the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) serving your municipality at https://www.vapda.org/regions.html. Several RPCs have revolving loan funds for remediation. These programs can assist sites throughout the state.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Emergency Management (State ARPA)

Eligible Activities:  Buyout of developed properties (conditions apply), purchase of vacant at-risk parcels or vacant (conditions apply), developable parcels, structural elevation or relocation projects,  restoring natural floodplain access, dam removal projects, natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions for flood storage or improved floodplain and river function, green infrastructure and low-impact development to manage stormwater and reduce future flooding (must be ineligible for other funding sources), community flood risk reduction assessments for communities within the Lake Champlain Basin, project scope for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) or other flood risk reduction grant programs, planning or education and outreach initiatives that improve understanding of flood risk, other innovative applications that reduce future flood risk, non-federal match for FEMA project applications under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance program (based on need), and management of awarded projects.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No maximum award listed

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, until funds are allocated; next - and potentially final - application review is July 31, 2023

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://vem.vermont.gov/flood-resilient-communities-fund

Note: Projects for municipal and/or public infrastructure require the municipality to have a currently approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)

Funding Entity:  Vermont Emergency Management

Eligible Activities:  Typical hazard mitigation projects include: mitigation of local roads and bridges, home acquisition (buyout), structural elevations or relocations, replacement of undersized culverts, mitigation outreach and education, planning, development of a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, etc. Project proposals do not need to be directly connected to damages incurred from the most recent declared disaster. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No maximum award listed

Match:  Management costs are 100% federally funded. The remainder of project costs are shared 75% federal and 25% local non-federal.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, until funds are allocated. For the next review cycle:

  • Buyout and elevation inquiries must be emailed to DPS.HazardMitigation@Vermont.gov by 03/29/24. A
  • Pre-Application Form for other project types is due 06/21/24. Early applications are strongly encouraged so the State can provide support on application development.

Apply Via:  Via email. Contact dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to discuss your project prior to applying.

Link:  https://vem.vermont.gov/disaster-based-funding

Notes:

  • Communities must have a FEMA approved and adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) to receiving a project award. Applications can be submitted without these plans, but awarded funds will not be released until the plans are in place.
  • Communities must be in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program if a special flood hazard area (SFHA) has been identified in the community and if the proposed project is located within the SFHA.
  • Landslide buyouts must have a letter from the State Geologist (imminent risk).
  • A FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) is required, except for most property buyouts and elevations. Some assistance is available for completing a BCA. Submit the Pre-Application Form to access assistance.
  • Governor Phil Scott has directed the State Flood Recovery Office to simplify the application process and provide technical assistance to eligible applicants to expedite the distribution of mitigation funds to communities impacted by the July 2023 storms, flooding, and landslides. 

Funding Entity:  Vermont Emergency Management 

Eligible Activities:  Supports scoping of potential future projects to reduce risks. Scoping applications generally include hiring an engineer to complete an assessment of the river and development of potential alternatives, selecting a preferred alternative, and developing designs, budget, and scope for the preferred alternative. Additionally, applications can include the development of a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA), which is required to apply for FEMA implementation funding.

Scoping can be for a specific project or problem, like a dam removal or upsizing a bridge, or it can be utilized to assess a broader area within a community to develop potential alternatives to reduce future flood risk (such as floodplain restoration, upsizing infrastructure, etc.). Applications can also include engineering for designs of residential elevation projects or commercial and municipal floodproofing projects. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No maximum award listed

Match:  25% of approved project costs

Application Closing Date:  01/31/24

Apply Via:  Contact dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to express interest in applying

Link:  https://vem.vermont.gov/funding/mitigation/planning

Note:  Communities must have a FEMA approved and adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and adopted Local Emergency Management Plan and must be in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program if a special flood hazard area (SFHA) has been identified in the community and if the proposed project is located within the SFHA. Check the status of your community’s plans at https://floodready.vermont.gov/assessment/community_reports#ERAF:~:text=Back%20to%20Top-,ERAF%20Summary%20Sheet,-Community%20mitigation%20actions.

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency

Eligible Activities:  Mitigates buildings insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Project types eligible for this program include buyouts, elevations, structural relocation, and some floodproofing. Properties must have had NFIP insurance at the time of and since the July 2023 Flooding (DR-4720) and be designated a Repetitive Loss or Severe Repetitive Loss structure, or received a Substantial Damage Determination following the July Flooding.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  05/15/24

Min/Max Funding:  This grant does not have minimum or maximum funding limits.

Match:  25% for most projects. Certain projects will be eligible for 90% or 100% federal share.

Apply Via:  FEMA’s Mitigation eGrants system. Applications are submitted as part of the State of Vermont application. Email Vermont Emergency Management at dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to initiate the application process.

Link: 

Notes: 

  • Property buyout and elevation projects will receive priority if you have contacted VEM by 03/29/24.
  • Properties damaged in the July 2023 flood are most competitive.
  • Project must provide a FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) or one of two other standard approaches outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity to validate a project’s cost-effectiveness.

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency via Vermont Emergency Management

Eligible Activities:  Supports project scoping for a specific structure or a larger area; Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) development or update; project construction, such as a home buyout, floodplain restoration or culvert upsizing; and management costs.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No maximum award listed

Match:  25% of approved project costs or 10% of approved project costs for Community Disaster Resilience Zones (City of Barre only) and Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRC). Management costs are 100% federally funded up to 5% of total project costs.

Application Closing Date:  Applications must be submitted to Vermont Emergency Management by 01/12/24

Apply Via:  FEMA GO; if your community is interested in applying, VEM requests you email your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and municipality name to dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov. VEM must set up your municipality in the FEMA GO system as part of the State of Vermont application.

Link: 

Note:

  • Municipalities must apply for this grant through Vermont Emergency Management. The State submits one application containing all Vermont projects.
  • Communities must have a FEMA approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) at the time of application submission and application award. If your community wants to create or update its LHMP or wants to inquire about the status of last year’s BRIC application for LHMP updates, email dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov.  
  • Vermont has a $2 million federal share set-aside for this program. Projects over $2 million also can apply and will be submitted for consideration in a national competition.
  • An Economically Disadvantaged Rural Community (EDRC) is a community of 3,000 or fewer individuals identified by the applicant that is economically disadvantaged, with residents having an average per capita annual income not exceeding 80% of the national per capita income, based on best available data. Contact VEM at dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to learn if your municipality qualifies.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Council on Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports to three to five communities annually, focusing on local climate action solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, build climate resilience, and fortify the local climate economy. Services provided, such as community engagement, strategic planning, technical assistance, and project implementation, are adaptable to each community's unique needs.

Funding Tool:  Technical Assistance

Min/Max Funding:  Not applicable. This is a grant of services.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  01/16/24

Apply Via:  Online application

Link:  https://www.vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-economy-resilient-communities/?emci=e30df02c-76a9-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=0dcd53dd-76aa-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=11072291#1671733160954-bd00e366-67a7

Note:  Priority will be given to projects showcasing collaboration, equitable engagement, increased resilience, emissions reduction, and economic strengthening, with the potential to serve as models for other Vermont communities. Eligible entities include Town Energy Committees, Energy Coordinators, municipal leadership, or Climate Catalysts.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Eligible Activities:  

  • Supports conservation projects of statewide significance, including natural areas that support vital ecological or conservation functions and values; provide habitat for rare or endangered species; or have physiographic or geological features of statewide significance (waterfalls, caves, gorges, river deltas, etc.).
  • Supports conservation of locally significant projects for outdoor public recreation, natural area protection, historic preservation, agricultural land preservation, and the maintenance of a community’s scenic integrity or definition of its identity. Multi-purpose projects are most competitive.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $150,000 plus associated costs (ex. appraisals, options, closing costs)

Match:  ⅓ of total project costs

Application Closing Date:  Reviewed as received

Apply Via:  Online application portal

Link:   https://vhcb.org/our-programs/conservation/apply-for-funding

Note: 

  • Applicants are requested to call VHCB staff to discuss their project prior to completing an application.
  • Program does not fund construction of buildings or recreational facilities.
  • Conservation easement or other VHCB Board-approved legal mechanism to protect a property in perpetuity required.

Funding Entity:  State Natural Resources Conservation Council

Eligible Activities:  Supports general project scoping and specific project development.

  • General project scoping identifies projects for development and includes activities such as reviewing the State’s database and existing plans and documents, discussing projects with the State, responding to landowner questions, conducting site visits to develop strategies, gauging landowner interest, and communication with municipal staff and committees about River Corridor or Stormwater Master Plans.
  • Specific project development aims to gather information and commitments needed to bring a project into the initial design phase and between design and implementation phases. It includes activities such as refining a project’s scope, identifying and contacting landowners and securing landowner support, working with partners or online tools to estimate pollution benefits and project costs, reviewing natural resource concerns and permit needs, contacting relevant stakeholders, meeting with municipal staff and/or the legislative body to encourage project implementation, and developing concept drawings and memos for determining project feasibility.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $10,000

Match:  None required, but welcomed

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; applications are reviewed monthly until available funds are exhausted

Apply via:  Online application form submitted via email

Link:  https://www.vacd.org/projectdevelopment/

Note: Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Vermont Clean Water Initiative Program Funding Policy prior to developing an application.

Funding Entity:  Addison County Regional Planning Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports getting landowners, municipalities, and other partners "on board" with projects to improve water quality and to move those projects towards design and implementation. Eligible activities include reviewing and prioritizing projects in existing plans, contacting landowners, reviewing permit needs, meeting with municipalities, estimating phosphorus reduction potential, and developing basic concept drawings.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $34,000

Match:  None specified

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply via:  Email

Link:  https://acrpc.org/grants-rfps/#:~:text=Development%20Block%20Grants-,Water%20Quality%20Project%20Development%20Block%20Grants,-ACRPC%20is%20administering

Note:  Funds cannot be used for any project requiring a 3-acre permit or any project obligated under the law.

Funding Entity:  Mount Ascutney Regional Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports preliminary (30%) engineering design, final (100%) engineering design, and implementation of clean water projects with a primary purpose of mitigating sediment and nutrient pollution to surface waters.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None noted

Match:  Projects that contribute to a MS4 community achieving flow and/or phosphorus reduction targets as identified through a Flow Restoration Plan (FRP) or Phosphorus Control Plan (PCP) must provide a minimum of 50% match. Non-MS4 projects do not require match. However, contributed match funds are considered during the proposal scoring process.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply via:  Email

Link:  https://www.marcvt.org/clean-water-design-and-implementation-block-grant.html

Note: 

  • Contact cwbg@marcvt.org to confirm project eligibility and availability of funds before applying.
  • Funds cannot be used for any project requiring a 3-acre permit or any project obligated under the law.

Funding Entity:  Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports project identification and assessment, project development, preliminary (30%) design, final (100%) design, and implementation/construction of best management practices or other programs designed to improve water quality. Eligible project types include stormwater projects on developed land that are not required by a permit; river corridor restoration and protection; floodplain restoration and protection; wetland restoration and protection; riparian and lakeshore corridor protection and restoration; natural woody buffers associated with riparian and lakeshore; projects on agricultural land if the farm in question does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Required Agricultural Practices; natural resource restoration projects on a jurisdictional farm if confirmed by the VT Agency of Agriculture.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None listed; Cost versus phosphorus reduction ratio is considered

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  05/06/24

Apply via:  Email

Link:  https://www.ccrpcvt.org/northern-lake-champlain-cwsp/#funding:~:text=ONGOING%20CALL%20FOR%20WATER%20QUALITY%20PROJECT%20SUB%2DGRANT%20APPLICATIONS

Note:  Projects must not be required by a permit (10 VSA, Chapter 47), or subject to the requirements of Vermont Agricultural Water Quality statutes (6 V.S.A, Chapter 215). Funding may be available for the portion of projects that exceed requirements set forth in the statutes above.

Funding Entity:  State Natural Resources Conservation Council

Eligible Activities:  Supports preliminary (30%) engineering design, final (100%) engineering design, and implementation of clean water projects with a primary purpose of mitigating sediment and nutrient pollution to surface waters. Eligible project types include floodplain/stream restoration, lake shoreland, wetland, stormwater, agricultural pollution prevention, forestry, stormwater gully and some road projects.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $15,000

Match:  Non-regulatory projects: not required. Regulatory projects: none if public/private partnership or non-MS4 public entity or 50% of project cost if MS4 community or private entity. 

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; applications are reviewed monthly until available funds are exhausted

Apply via:  Online application form submitted via email

Link:  https://www.vacd.org/design-implementation-rfa/

Note: Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Vermont Clean Water Initiative Program Funding Policy prior to developing an application.

Funding Entity:  Northwest Regional Planning Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports project identification and assessment, project development, preliminary (30%) design, final (100%) design, and implementation/construction of best management practices or other programs designed to improve water quality. Eligible project types include stormwater projects on developed land that are not required by a permit; river corridor restoration and protection; floodplain restoration and protection; wetland restoration and protection; riparian and lakeshore corridor protection and restoration; natural woody buffers associated with riparian and lakeshore; projects on agricultural land if the farm in question does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Required Agricultural Practices; natural resource restoration projects on a jurisdictional farm if confirmed by the VT Agency of Agriculture.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None listed; Cost versus phosphorus reduction ratio is considered

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  05/09/24

Apply via:  Email

Link:  https://www.nrpcvt.com/about-nrpc/rfp-rfq-rfb/ 

Note:  Projects must not be required by a permit (10 VSA, Chapter 47), or subject to the requirements of Vermont Agricultural Water Quality statutes (6 V.S.A, Chapter 215). Funding may be available for the portion of projects that exceed requirements set forth in the statutes above.

Funding Entity:  Northwest Regional Planning Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports project identification and assessment, project development, preliminary (30%) design, final (100%) design, and implementation/construction of best management practices or other programs designed to improve water quality. Eligible project types include stormwater projects on developed land that are not required by a permit; river corridor restoration and protection; floodplain restoration and protection; wetland restoration and protection; riparian and lakeshore corridor protection and restoration; natural woody buffers associated with riparian and lakeshore; projects on agricultural land if the farm in question does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Required Agricultural Practices; natural resource restoration projects on a jurisdictional farm if confirmed by the VT Agency of Agriculture.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None listed; Cost versus phosphorus reduction ratio is considered

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  05/22/24

Apply via:  Email

Link:  https://www.nrpcvt.com/about-nrpc/rfp-rfq-rfb/ 

Note:  Projects must not be required by a permit (10 VSA, Chapter 47), or subject to the requirements of Vermont Agricultural Water Quality statutes (6 V.S.A, Chapter 215). Funding may be available for the portion of projects that exceed requirements set forth in the statutes above.

Funding Entity:  Watersheds United Vermont

Eligible Activities:  Supports implementation of high priority, cost-effective, native riparian woody buffer plantings. Riparian forest buffers must be of sufficient width, intercept sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and other materials in surface runoff and reduce nutrient and other pollutants in shallow subsurface water flow. Projects involving the installation of woody buffers along rivers and streams must have a minimum buffer width of 35 feet and a minimum planting density of at least 300 stems/acre.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $300,000

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://watershedsunitedvt.org/resources/block-grants#:~:text=2024%20Woody%20Buffer%20Block%20Grant%20%2D%20Active%20Grant%20Round

Funding Entity:  US Environmental Protection Agency

Eligible Activities:  Supports community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy. There are two grant tracks: 1) Community-Driven Investments for Change and 2) Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  ~$10 to $20 million Community-Driven Investments for Change; ~$1 to $3 million Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance 

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling through 11/21/24

Apply Via:  grants.gov

Link: 

Note:  Local governments must partner with a community-based nonprofit organization to apply. Multiple Vermont communities are eligible for this grant.

Funding Entity:  US Environmental Protection Agency

Eligible Activities:  This program will help eligible entities develop an application for EPA Community Change Grants by providing grant application support, project planning and development, outreach and engagement, and general capacity building.

Funding Tool:  Grant of technical assistance

Min/Max Funding:  None. This program provides technical assistance for the Community Change Grant application.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/community-change-grants-technical-assistance

Note:  If you are awarded a Community Change grant, the program also provides grants management and reporting support.

Funding Entity:  US Environmental Protection Agency

Eligible Activities:  This program will help eligible entities develop an application for EPA Community Change Grants by providing free design and project development assistance, community engagement, and partnership development workshops that support climate resilience and environmental justice activities in disaster-prone areas. Climate resilience projects must have a direct benefit to disadvantaged communities and could include retrofits to community-serving buildings; design or redesign of public parks, open space, and waterways; redesign of streets; or other projects that address climate resilience and environmental justice.

Funding Tool:  Grant of technical assistance

Min/Max Funding:  None. This program provides 4 to 5 months of technical assistance.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/community-change-equitable-resilience-technical-assistance

Note:  Eligible sites for this technical assistance must in a disaster-prone area and benefit a disadvantaged community.

Funding Entity:  Northern Borders Regional Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports a broad range of forest-based economy initiatives such as public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry; community development projects that support the diversified use of forest for economic activity; workforce training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses; and marketing, communication and education projects that are paired with previously mentioned projects.  

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  There are two application rounds:

  • 03/15/24 03/22/24 Pre-application (Required); 05/03/24 Application (By invitation only)
  • 09/06/24 Pre-application (Required); 10/18/24 Application (By invitation only)

Min/Max Funding:   Up to $1 million or no more than 80% of the total project costs can be from federal funds (including NRPC), whichever is less.

Match:  20% Distressed Counties; 50% Transitional Counties

Apply Via:  Online application system

Link:  https://www.nbrc.gov/content/FEP

Notes:  This grant has unique requirements after an award is made, but before a Notice to Proceed is issued. Applicants are advised to read the program guidance and manual closely. Ex. All match/cost share must be committed by September 30 of the year following the award year.

Funding Entity:  Lake Champlain Basin Program

Eligible Activities:  Funds acquisition of land or conservation easements on land located in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin to protect or improve water quality and aquatic habitat, mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, or provide climate resiliency. Eligible costs include the purchase price of the fee simple interest or conservation easement and associated costs, including, but not limited to, title insurance, surveying and mapping expenses, appraisal costs, closing costs, and outreach to communities in support of the proposal.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  05/01/24

Min/Max Funding:   $100,000 - $2 million

Match:  Not required, but may make an application more competitive

Apply Via:  Foundant (LCBP’s grant portal)

Link:  https://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grants-rfps/request-for-proposals-rfps/#land:~:text=Online%20Application-,Land%20Acquisition%20and%20Conservation,-The%20Patrick%20Leahy

Notes: 

  • Opportunities for increasing access for public recreation will be considered as a co-benefit, but not a primary benefit, of land acquisition or conservation easements support through this program.
  • Proposals demonstrating benefits to communities with disadvantages will be given additional weight during the proposal evaluation process.

Funding Entity:  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Eligible Activities:  Supports planning and implementation of nitrogen prevention or reduction projects in the Connecticut River watershed, such as green infrastructure, riparian buffers, freshwater wetland and in-stream restoration, installation of decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems, agricultural practices, low-cost wastewater treatment facility retrofits, right-sizing culverts, improving road crossing, etc.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Design/Planning $50,000 to $500,000; Implementation $50,000 to $1.5 million; Education and Public Participation $50,000 to $250,000

Match:  50% of the “Requested Amount” from the Fund (ex. Requesting $100,000 then Match is $50,000)

Application Closing Date:  Project idea form (encouraged) 04/14/23. Full proposal 05/13/24

Apply Via:  easygrants.nfwf.org

Link:  https://www.nfwf.org/programs/long-island-sound-futures-fund

Note:  Applicants are eligible for one-to-one assistance to foster development of water quality improvement proposals. Contact Throwe Environmental at to lisff@throwe-environmental.com/learn more about applicant assistance. Throwe serves as the Field Liaison for the grant.

Funding Entity:  Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC)

Eligible Activities:  Supports tree planting activities within municipal properties; within a town highway right-of-way; within State of Vermont highway rights-of-way; at public educational institutions; on properties owned by registered non-profit entities; and on private property provided an approved agreement is in place between an eligible subgrantee and the private property owner. Priority sites include:

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  Two rounds of funding: Round 1 due 05/17/24. Round 2 due 01/17/25.

Min/Max Funding:   $5,000 to $75,000

Match:  None required

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://vtcommunityforestry.org/municipal-assistance/financial-assistance/community-tree-planting-grants

Notes: 

  • CCRPC is administering this grant on behalf of the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program.
  • The Urban and Community Forestry Program will provide direct technical assistance to applicants and grant award winners. See program website for assistance provided.

Funding Entity:  National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

Eligible Activities:  Supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. Possible projects include, but are not limited to, arts programming, including the commissioning or presentation of artists or artwork; marketing and promotional activities; and organizational planning. Projects may consist of one or more specific events or activities and must not cover all programming for a season.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  All grants are for $10,000.

Match:  $1 of local match for every $1 awarded (at least $10,000)

Application Closing Date:  04/25/24

Apply Via:  Submitting an application is a multi-step process and requires submission of specific information via TWO grant portals, Grants.gov by 04/25/24 and NEA Applicant Portal by 04/30/24.

Link:  https://www.arts.gov/grants/challenge-america

Note: 

  • The term “underserved” refers to those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited relative to geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. At least one of these characteristics must be evident in the proposed project. Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved.
  • Completing registrations in Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov can take several weeks.
  • The venue(s) where the project activities will take place and programming must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Funded activities should be held in a physically accessible venue, and program access and effective communication should be provided for participants and audience members with disabilities.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Arts Council

Eligible Activities:  Supports projects that provide equal and abundant access to the arts. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: performances, exhibits, screenings, readings, fairs, public art projects, and festivals that focus on including new audiences; public art projects that commission an artist for the creation of new work where the community is engaged in the planning, presentation, and/or fabrication; creative experiences that are designed to include a specific group of a certain age, income, gender, race, or ability, or to encourage interaction among these groups; and accessibility accommodations that enable people with disabilities to participate in arts programs.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $1,000 to $4,000

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  04/29/24

Apply Via:  Online granting system

Link:  https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/arts-project/

Note:  Priority areas include expanding access to the arts and cultural activities for all Vermonters, creative placemaking, and addressing issues related to the impact of recent flooding.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Arts Council

Eligible Activities:  Supports projects that enhance, create, or expand the capacity of an existing building to provide cultural activities for the public.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $1,000 to $30,000

Match:  $1 match for every $1 in grant funds received.

Application Closing Date:  05/06/24

Apply Via:  Online grants portal

Link:  https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/cultural-facilities/

Note: 

  • Applicants must own a facility that is at least 10 years old, and it must be physically located in Vermont. 
  • This grant will fund improvements to libraries and town halls if they provide cultural activities for the public, including accessibility improvements, hazard mitigation efforts, and energy efficiency upgrades among other physical improvements. Facilities that experienced damage from the 2023 flooding may be eligible to apply for repairs if they meet the existing eligibility and funding criteria.
  • The application requires two estimates so start gathering them early.

Funding Entity:  National Endowment for the Humanities

Eligible Activities:  Helps communities address the impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic by safeguarding cultural resources and fostering cultural resilience through the identification, documentation, and/or collection of cultural heritage and community experience. Projects should fall into one of two categories: community collecting initiatives or oral history programs. Example projects include collaborative planning, digital documentation, recording oral histories, preserving traditional knowledge, practices or technologies, and establishing shared resources and protocols.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $150,000

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  Optional draft: 04/11/24; Application: 05/21/24

Apply Via:  Grants.gov

Link:  

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency

Eligible Activities:  Provides supplemental Federal grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and specific facilities of certain types of private nonprofit organizations. There are seven categories of assistance, one or all are federally authorized for any disaster event. Encourages protection of damaged facilities from future incidents by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Based on FEMA-established minimum and large project thresholds for a fiscal year. For CY 2023, small project min/max is $3,800 to $999,999, and large project is ≥$1 million.

Match:  25% of total project cost; a portion of this match will be paid by the State of Vermont based on a municipality’s Emergency Relief Assistance Fund rate. Find your municipality’s rate on Flood Ready Vermont.

Application Closing Date:  30 days from the date the area (county, municipality) was designated in the declaration (the July 2023 flood event date varies for different counties in Vermont)

Apply Via:  FEMA Grants Portal

Link:

     Program:  https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public

     VLCT-Compiled Resources: https://www.vlct.org/fema-public-assistance-program-pa

Note:  Work funded through Public Assistance MUST include a contract provision encouraging (not requiring) the contractor to provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products or materials produced in the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products. This requirement also must be included in all subawards.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Emergency Management

Eligible Activities:  Provides public assistance to municipalities to repair damaged infrastructure after a presidentially declared disaster.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  State share of FEMA Public Assistance 25% required local match: 7.5%, 12.5% or 17.5% based on municipal disaster preparedness actions

Match:  Municipality provides the remaining share of FEMA Public Assistance required local match

Application Closing Date:  None

Apply Via: No application required; the State of Vermont pays its FEMA match contribution to the municipality based on FEMA payment to municipality and municipality’s ERAF rate

Link: 

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Supports repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands which have suffered serious damage because of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Not specified

Match:  10% for interstate highways; 20% for all other Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands; 0% for Federal Lands Management Agencies

Application Closing Date:  To be determined; VTrans must submit an application to the Federal Highways Administration within two calendar years of the date of the disaster

Apply Via: VTrans (process to be determined)

Link:  https://vtrans.vermont.gov/emergency-management#:~:text=FHWA%20%E2%80%93%20Emergency%20Recovery%C2%A0

Funding Entity: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Eligible Activities: Offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by natural disasters that impair a watershed. Planning, design, and construction oversight are part of this program. Eligible activities include: 

  • removing debris from stream channels, road culverts and bridges;
  • reshaping and protecting eroded streambanks;
  • correcting damaged or destroyed drainage facilities;
  • establishing vegetative cover on critically eroding lands;
  • repairing levees and structures;       
  • repairing certain conservation practices, and
  • purchasing EWP Buyouts.

Commonly eligible projects include head-cutting gullies, severely eroded stream banks and drainage ditches, wildfire damage, debris in channels, sediment deposits in creeks and drainage ditches, channel stabilization at culverts and bridges, and landslides causing a watershed impairment.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None specified

Match:  25% of construction costs; NRCS may provide up to 100% of costs for purchase of floodplain easement and restoration project.

Application Closing Date: Project sponsors must submit a formal Request for Assistance within 60 days of the disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available. NEW 9/12/2023: Municipalities have two options to access this program.

  1. Municipalities can apply directly to NRCS. NRCS has extended the Request for Assistance deadline to October 12, 2023. Contact Michel Lapointe, NRCS, at michel.lapointe@usda.gov or 802-497-5977 for information.
  2. Municipalities can submit proposed projects to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). ANR submitted a Request for Assistance Letter to NRCS offering to sponsor or co-sponsor any Vermont project. Projects submitted through ANR can be submitted after October 12, 2023. Contact John Smeltzer, DEC, at 802-249-5620 to submit through VANR.

Apply Via: If your community has a potential project, contact John Schmeltzer, Vermont DEC, at 802-249-5620.

Link: 

Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/ewp-emergency-watershed-protection

Program Basics: https://www.vlct.org/resource/usda-emergency-watershed-protection-program-ewp-updated

Note:  

  • NRCS staff conduct damage survey site visits after a Request for Assistance is submitted.
  • Program assistance is only used to relieve a threat to infrastructure, not to repair the infrastructure.

Funding Entity: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Eligible Activities: Offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities purchase floodplain property buyouts during emergency recovery work. These buyouts are used where structural projects to reduce threats from flooding and erosion are not cost-effective and/or beneficial.

Commonly eligible projects include head-cutting gullies, severely eroded stream banks and drainage ditches, wildfire damage, debris in channels, sediment deposits in creeks and drainage ditches, channel stabilization at culverts and bridges, and landslides causing a watershed impairment.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None specified

Match:  25% of construction costs; NRCS may provide up to 100% of costs for purchase of floodplain easement and restoration project.

Application Closing Date: Project sponsors must submit a formal Request for Assistance within 60 days of the disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available. However, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources submitted a Request for Assistance stating that ANR is willing to sponsor or co-sponsor all EWP eligible projects. This means municipalities can continue to submit projects to the EWP program. Contact John Smeltzer, DEC, at 802-249-5620 to discuss a request for assistance beginning September 8, 2023.

Apply Via: 

Link:  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/emergency-watershed-protection-ewp-program-buyouts

Note:  NRCS staff conduct damage survey site visits after a Request for Assistance is submitted.

Funding Entity:  US Economic Development Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports disaster recovery activities including economic recovery strategic planning grants, public works construction projects including broadband and resiliency projects, workforce development, capitalization of revolving loan funds, and economic development projects that enhance density in the vicinity of other economic development

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No minimums or maximums are listed

Match:  20% 0f eligible costs, but factors such as project scale, extent of disaster impact, total project cost, relative community distress, and geographic distribution of funds can lower the match rate

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds have been expended

Apply Via:  EDGE

Link:

Note:  Supports recovery in areas where a Presidential disaster declaration was issued in calendar years 2021 and 2022. For Vermont, this includes a Severe Storm and Flooding (4621-DR-VT; statewide) in July 2021 and Tropical Storm Henri (3567-EM-VT; Bennington and Windham Counties) in August 2021.

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Applicants must show that a major decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years of the date of the application. Grants are also awarded when a significant decline in quality and quantity of water is imminent. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding: 

  • 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 for the construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and/or other sources of water (water source up to and including the treatment plant)

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  RDApply; Contact Rebecca Schrader, Lead Community Program Specialist, Rebecca.schrader@usda.gov, before pursuing an application

Link:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/emergency-community-water-assistance-grants/vt

Note:  Eligible entities are rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less. Must also have a median household income of no more than 100 percent of a state’s non-metropolitan median household income.

Funding Entity:  FEMA via Vermont Emergency Management

Eligible Activities:  Supports property buyouts, infrastructure projects (drainage, elevation, flood proofing, minor localized flood reduction projects) and planning. Typical projects include mitigation of local roads and bridges, home acquisition (buyout), structural elevations or relocations, replacement of undersized culverts, mitigation outreach and education, etc. Project proposals do not need to be directly connected to damage incurred from the most recent declared disaster. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None listed

Match:  25% of approved project costs

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; next review cycle will be spring 2024

Apply Via:  Email. Contact Stephanie Smith, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, at 802-989-6793 or stephanie.a.smith@vermont.gov, to discuss your project before applying

Link:  https://vem.vermont.gov/disaster-based-funding

Eligible Activities:  Typical hazard mitigation projects include: mitigation of local roads and bridges,

Match:  25% of approved project costs

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, until funds are allocated

Notes:

  • Municipalities must have a FEMA approved and adopted local hazard mitigation plan and have an adopted Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP). Applications accepted from municipalities lacking one or both plans, but awarded project funds will not be released until the plans are in place.
  • Municipalities must be in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), if a special flood hazard area (SFHA) has been identified in the community and if the proposed project is located within the SFHA.
  • A Benefit Cost Analysis is required using FEMA software. Contact the Regional Planning Commission serving your municipality for assistance.

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency via Vermont Emergency Management

Eligible Activities:  Supports project scoping for a specific structure or a larger area; Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) development or update; project construction, such as a home buyout, floodplain restoration or culvert upsizing; and management costs.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No maximum award listed

Match:  25% of approved project costs or 10% of approved project costs for Community Disaster Resilience Zones (City of Barre only) and Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRC). Management costs are 100% federally funded up to 5% of total project costs.

Application Closing Date:  Applications must be submitted to Vermont Emergency Management by 01/12/24

Apply Via:  FEMA GO; if your community is interested in applying, please email your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and municipality name to dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov. VEM must set up your municipality in the FEMA GO system as part of the State of Vermont application.

Link: 

Note:

  • Municipalities must apply for this grant through Vermont Emergency Management. The State submits one application containing all Vermont projects.
  • Communities must have a FEMA approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) at the time of application submission and application award. If your community wants to create or update its LHMP or wants to inquire about the status of last year’s BRIC application for LHMP updates, email dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov.  
  • Vermont has a $2 million federal share set-aside for this program. Projects over $2 million also can apply and will be submitted for consideration in a national competition.
  • An Economically Disadvantaged Rural Community (EDRC) is a community of 3,000 or fewer individuals identified by the applicant that is economically disadvantaged, with residents having an average per capita annual income not exceeding 80% of the national per capita income, based on best available data. Contact VEM at dps.hazardmitigation@vermont.gov to learn if your municipality qualifies.

Funding Entity:  AmeriCorps (the federal agency for national service and volunteerism)

Eligible Activities:  Provides a team of 8-12 AmeriCorps NCCC members to participate in disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. Examples of service activities include, but are not limited to, supporting disaster recovery centers, shelters, and facilities; preparing and distributing meals or water; mucking and gutting flood or storm-damaged homes and buildings; debris removal; roof tarping; home and other infrastructure rebuilding; flood mitigation; surveying community assets; increasing disaster preparedness and resilience to adapt to climate change; and distributing educational materials and preparedness kits.

Funding Tool:  Grant of community service

Min/Max Funding:  Not applicable. This is a grant of assistance.

Match:  Sponsors provide adequate indoor or outdoor lodging with showers and cooking facilities for an 8-12 member team with separate female and male sleeping facilities.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via: Online application

Link:  https://americorps.gov/partner/how-it-works/americorps-nccc 

Notes: Length of team service usually is 3 to 13 weeks and at least 40 hours of service activities each week. A sponsor may request  assistance for up to 60 weeks, contingent upon application approval.

Funding Entity:  VT Department of Environmental Conservation via its Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development Initiative Block Grant Program Administrator

Eligible Activities:  Supports organizational or community-level flood relief and recovery efforts via activities such as replacing lost or damaged equipment, technology or tools; moving expense due to loss of workspace; participating in forums on flood response or recovery; organizing river clean-up events; performing preliminary assessment of clean water project losses and workload planning/priority setting; covering refund expenses or revenue losses due to forestalled or cancelled programming or projects; and covering otherwise unbillable personnel time spent on flood-related efforts like filing insurance paperwork of consulting with landowners on how to “build back better”.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Unknown at this time

Match:  Unknown at this time

Application Closing Date:  Rolling through 07/31/24

Apply Via:  Application materials will be posted when the Block Grant Program Administrator contract is awarded.

Link:  https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/cwi/grants#:~:text=View%20the%C2%A0Summer%202023%20Flood%20Response%20and%20Recovery%20Addendum

Notes: 

  • This is a program pre-announcement to allow entities to prepare for the grant. Pre-award costs related to flood relief and recovery efforts starting on 07/10/23 are eligible.
  • Until a Funding Program Administrator is selected, questions may be submitted to the Clean Water Initiative Program at ANR.CleanWaterVT@vermont.gov.
  • This program should be a last resort once insurance and FEMA assistance for these types of replacement costs are fully capitalized. Funds from this program cannot supplant other sources.
  • This opportunity will be updated as the program evolves.

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Utility Services

Eligible Activities:  Supports restoration, repair, or rebuilding of water infrastructure systems, include drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater projects related to damages from Presidentially Declared Disasters that occurred between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Also supports development of water infrastructure system capacity and resiliency to reduce or eliminate long term risks from hazards resulting from the eligible declared disaster. Costs reimbursed by insurance, FEMA, other EPA programs, state programs, and other programs cannot be covered by this program.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum award amount

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, until funds are exhausted

Apply Via:  RDApply. Contact USDA Vermont Office prior to applying.

Link: 

Notes:  Eligible Vermont municipalities are those located in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grant Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties (Vermont Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4695-VT) with a population ≤35,000.

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports repair of essential community facilities in rural areas that were damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year 2022. Example “essential community facility” includes, but it not limited to, health care facilities, town offices/halls, streets, public works, community and childcare centers, fairgrounds, public safety, libraries, museums, utility services, and local food systems (community gardens, food pantries, food banks, etc.). Repairs also include the replacement of damaged equipment or vehicles, and the purchase of new equipment to undertake repairs to damaged facilities.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  There is no minimum or maximum award amount.

Match:  25% of total project cost

Application Closing Date:  When funds are exhausted

Apply Via: Contact Misty Sinsigalli, USDA Vermont office, at 802-622-4119 or misty.sinsigalli@usda.gov

Link:   https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-program-disaster-repair-grants/vt-nh-0#overview

Notes: 

  • Eligible Vermont municipalities are those located in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grant Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties (Vermont Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4695-VT) with a population ≤20,000. The facility to be repaired must have been damaged in the declared disaster.
  • Requirements of USDA’s regular Community Facilities Direct Grant and Loan Program apply.

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency

Eligible Activities:  Provides funding for local governments to operate their essential community services after substantial revenue loss caused by a disaster. Essential services include police and fire protection, revenue collection, hazard insurance, trash collection, and public facilities maintenance. The funding can be used to carry on existing essential municipal services or to expand such services to meet disaster-related needs.

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  The cumulative estimated revenue loss for the fiscal year of the disaster and the subsequent three fiscal years, or up to 25 percent of a municipality’s annual operating budget for the fiscal year, or $5 million, whichever is less.

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  The close of your municipality’s next fiscal year after the last day of the presidential disaster declaration incident period. For the July 2023 floods, the incident period closed 07/21/23.

Apply Via: Undetermined at this time

Link:  https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/community-disaster-loan 

Notes: 

  • Revenue loss must be greater than or equal to five percent. Audited financial statements for the fiscal year of the disaster and the three previous fiscal years, and an original operating budget for the fiscal year of the disaster, a projected operating budgets for the subsequent fiscal year, and three-year post disaster revenue projections are required to apply.
  • The loan term is five years. It can be extended to 10 years. The applicant selects the payment schedule. The interest rate is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
  • From the second year through the life of the loan (5-10 years maximum), a municipality must provide audited financial statements to FEMA. The loan may be cancelled if the municipality can show it has a cumulative operating deficit.

Funding Entity:  US Economic Development Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works (infrastructure, facilities and buildings, brownfields) and Economic Adjustment Assistance (CEDS development and implementation) programs

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  ~$600,000 to $5 million; average award has been $1.4 million

Match:  20% to 50% based on the region’s 24-month unemployment rate and/or per capita income

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds have been expended

Apply Via:  EDGE

Link:

Funding Entity:  US Economic Development Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports disaster recovery activities including economic recovery strategic planning grants, public works construction projects including broadband and resiliency projects, workforce development, capitalization of revolving loan funds, and economic development projects that enhance density in the vicinity of other economic development

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No minimums or maximums are listed

Match:  20% 0f eligible costs, but factors such as project scale, extent of disaster impact, total project cost, relative community distress, and geographic distribution of funds can lower the match rate

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds have been expended

Apply Via:  EDGE

Link:

Note:  Supports recovery in areas where a Presidential disaster declaration was issued in calendar years 2021 and 2022. For Vermont, this includes a Severe Storm and Flooding (4621-DR-VT; statewide) in July 2021 and Tropical Storm Henri (3567-EM-VT; Bennington and Windham Counties) in August 2021.

Funding Entity:  Northern Borders Regional Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports projects that address transportation, telecommunications, energy, and basic public infrastructure; business and workforce development; health care, nutrition and food security, and other public services; resource conservation; tourism; recreation; and open space preservation consistent with economic development.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Non-infrastructure up to $500,000; Infrastructure up to $1 million or up to $3 million for certain construction projects

Match:  Varies based on project service area level of distress

Application Closing Date:  09/06/24 Pre-Application (Required); 10/18/24 Application (By invitation only)

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.nbrc.gov/content/Catalyst

Notes: 

  • Priority is given to 1) projects that demonstrate direct benefits to rural communities with populations of less than 5,000 and disadvantaged communities; 2) projects that address municipal needs across eligible categories; and 3) projects that adapt to changing climate conditions and extreme weather events.
  • This grant has unique requirements after an award is made, but before a Notice to Proceed is issued. Applicants are advised to read the program guidance and manual closely. Ex. All match/cost share must be committed by September 30 of the year following the award year.

Funding Entity:  Northern Borders Regional Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports a broad range of forest-based economy initiatives such as public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry; community development projects that support the diversified use of forest for economic activity; workforce training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses; and marketing, communication and education projects that are paired with previously mentioned projects.  

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  09/06/24 Pre-application (Required); 10/18/24 Application (By invitation only)

Min/Max Funding:   Up to $1 million or no more than 80% of the total project costs can be from federal funds (including NRPC), whichever is less.

Match:  20% Distressed Counties; 50% Transitional Counties

Apply Via:  Online application system

Link:  https://www.nbrc.gov/content/FEP

Notes:  This grant has unique requirements after an award is made, but before a Notice to Proceed is issued. Applicants are advised to read the program guidance and manual closely. Ex. All match/cost share must be committed by September 30 of the year following the award year.

Funding Entity:  Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation

Eligible Activities:  Create or bolster a local community trust organization and development of a transformational project in a village. The community trust project could be the revitalization of a general store, the creation of a community center, improvements to the accessibility of an older town hall, renovation of a large historic home into village-scale housing, and more. Projects primarily focused on outdoor recreation and green space are not eligible. 

Funding Tool:  Grant of technical services and implementation funding

Application Closing Date:  Intake form 05/24/24. Full application is by invitation only. There will be 3-4 additional opportunities to apply.

Min/Max Funding:  Initial assistance is technical services, including consultant/contractor services. Project implementation will be awarded $200,000 to $450,000 in grant funds depending on the project size.

Match:  None required for program participation. Other funding sources related to project implementation may require match.

Apply Via:  Online intake form

Link:  https://ptvermont.org/village-trust-initiative

Notes: 

  • This program is open to towns with fewer than 2,500 people based on the 2020 Census.
  • Selectboard endorsement to participate in the program is required.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

Eligible Activities:  Installation of new dry hydrants and other types of rural water supplies (priority), repair/upgrade, replacement, relocation of existing rural water supplies (whether previously grant funded or not), and development of drafting sites (access, stepping stones for portables, etc.)

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  up to $10,000; maximum grant could be up to $20,000 if the project meets other criteria

Match:  25% of total project cost

Application Closing Date:  April 1, June 1 and August 1, 2024

Apply Via:  Online application sent via email

Link:  https://www.vacd.org/programs/rural-fire-protection/

Note:  The installation of NEW dry hydrants & other types of rural water supplies is still the priority of the program, but eligible projects also include repair/upgrade, replacement, relocation of existing rural water supplies (whether previously grant funded or not) and drafting site development (access, stepping stones for portables, etc.)

Funding Entity:  US Bureau of Justice Assistance

Eligible Activities:  Supports the prosecution of violent cold case crimes where a DNA profile from a suspect (known or unknown) has been identified, investigative activities, as well as crime and forensic analyses, excluding DNA processing, that can lead to prosecution.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $500,000

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  This opportunity requires a two-step process: Grants.gov 04/25/24 and JustGrants 05/02/24.

Apply Via:  This opportunity requires a two-step application. Two forms are submitted through Grants.gov, and the full application is submitted in JustGrants, DOJ’s grant portal.

Link: 

Notes: 

  • A DNA profile must be attributed to a known or unknown suspect developed from crime scene evidence to qualify for this grant. However, there are other BJA programs that support investigations without existing suspect DNA profiles. To learn more about these programs, visit https://bja.ojp.gov/topics/forensic-sciences.
  • A prosecuting entity must be fully engaged in the project either as the lead applicant OR by providing a letter of commitment to demonstrate full engagement in the project.

Funding Entity:  US Bureau of Justice Assistance

Eligible Activities:  Supports use of performance-based or outcomes-based contracting to enhance or implement clinical services and other evidence-based responses to improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and address the treatment and recovery needs of people with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders who are currently involved in the criminal justice system or were formerly involved. This initiative provides funding to price, write, negotiate, fund, and manage contracts that pay for reentry services in a way that ensures accountability of the contract service providers, and incentivizes improved performance over time. There are two funding categories: 1) Performance-based and Outcomes-based Contracting for Reentry Services and 2) Performance-based and Outcomes-based Contracting for Permanent Supportive Housing.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Reentry Services $1 million; Permanent Supporting Housing $1 million

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  This opportunity requires a two-step process: Grants.gov 04/25/24 and JustGrants 04/30/24.

Apply Via:  This opportunity requires a two-step application. Two forms are submitted through Grants.gov, and the full application is submitted in JustGrants, DOJ’s grant portal.

Link: 

Notes: 

  • Under the Pay for Success model, a government entity forms a partnership with a service provider that ties payment for services to reaching agreed-upon goals. Applicants may propose to establish new contracts or to amend or expand existing ones to serve people who are currently or were formerly involved in the justice system to improve reentry, lower recidivism, and improve the lives of individuals leaving the criminal justice system.
  • Applicants may submit more than one application if each application proposes a different project.
  • Applicants must propose to use a validated risk assessment tool to identify people at medium to high risk of recidivating and contract for services.

Funding Entity:  US Department of Justice

Eligible Activities:  Supports small and rural agencies in their efforts to combat violent crime through the implementation of a comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $300,000

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  This opportunity requires a two-step process: Grants.gov 05/15/24 and JustGrants 05/22/24.

Apply Via:  This opportunity requires a two-step application. Two forms are submitted through Grants.gov, and the full application is submitted in JustGrants, DOJ’s grant portal.

Link: 

Notes: The DOJ recommends applicants review two resources: the Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap and the Violent Crime Reduction Operations Guide as funding will support implementation of strategies in these documents and improving the capacity of the applicant to implement the strategies. Applicants are also encouraged to review the resources available on the Public Safety Clearinghouse for strategic solutions.

Funding Entity:  Federal Emergency Management Agency

Eligible Activities:  Design and implement sustainable, multidisciplinary projects that enhance targeted violence and terrorism prevention capabilities. The program will support both current promising practices and new or innovative approaches.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $100,000 to $800,000. The funding opportunity notice includes targeted award amounts by project type for promising practices.

Match:  Not required

Application Closing Date:  05/17/24

Apply Via:  FEMA GO

Links: 

Note:  Promising practice project types include raising societal awareness, understanding violet content, civic engagement, youth resilience programs, behavioral threat assessment and management teams, bystander training, referral services, and recidivism reduction and reintegration.

Funding Entity: Vermont Buildings and General Services

Eligible Activities:  Facilitate public communication, education, outreach, and engagement about municipal energy resilience

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $4,000

Match:  None

Application Closing Date: Rolling until 05/31/24; first come, first served

Apply Via:  Online application

Link: https://bgs.vermont.gov/municipal-energy-resilience-program

Note: 

  • This grant is non-competitive; any covered municipality (a city, town, incorporated village, fire district, or any other governmental incorporated unit except for school districts) who is applying for the first time will be awarded a Mini Grant. 
  • Act 172 includes funding for regional planning commissions (RPC) to offer technical and application assistance and other added capacity for their member entities as requested. Find the RPC contact serving your municipality on the Buildings and General Services MERP website.
  • Eligible entities also may use this grant to actively participate in MERP and other municipal energy resilience initiatives by providing stipends, hiring consultants, contracting with technical assistance providers, establishing energy committees, promoting municipal energy resilience with community meetings and communication, and conducting accessibility evaluations of MERP-eligible buildings.

Funding Entity: US Department of Energy

Eligible Activities: Develop and implement an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, which can include:

  • retaining consultant services,
  • conducting building energy audits,
  • establishing financial incentive programs for efficiency improvements,
  • providing grants to eligible organizations for efficiency retrofits,
  • developing and implementing energy efficiency and conservation programs for the applicant's own buildings and facilities, programs to conserve energy used in transportation, and/or building codes and inspection services related to building efficiency,
  • applying and implementing energy distribution technologies that increase efficiency,
  • conducting activities to increase participate and efficiency rates for material conservation programs,
  • purchasing and implementing technologies to reduce, capture, and use generated greenhouse gases,
  • replacing traffic signals and street lighting with efficient technologies,
  • developing, implementing and installing renewable energy generations projects for the applicant's own buildings,
  • developing and implementing programs for financing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation, transportation infrastructure, capital investments, projects, and programs, and
  • conducting other appropriate activities as determined by the Secretary of Energy.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Allocated by formula with $75,000 minimum; Vermont range is $75,340 to $77,100

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  04/28/23 Required Pre-Award Information Sheet; Applications for Grants and Vouchers accepted on a rolling basis through 04/30/24

Apply Via: PAGE (DOE's online grant system)

Link:  https://www.energy.gov/scep/eecbg-program-formula-grant-application-hub

Note:  Formula grants are limited to the 10 most populous municipalities and counties in each state. For Vermont, the municipalities are the Cities of Burlington, Rutland, and South Burlington, and the Towns of Bennington, Brattleboro, Colchester, Essex, Hartford, Milton, and Williston.

Funding Entity: US Department of Energy

Eligible Activities: Provides access to short-term technical assistance. This program matches a participating community with a relevant expert who will provide 40–60 hours of expert advice and technical services to communities on clean energy topics such as clean power, mobility, buildings, and the grid.

Funding Tool:  Technical Assistance

Min/Max Funding:  Grant of technical assistance services by the National Renewable Energy Lab, other national laboratories, and select organizations

Match:  None

Application Closing Date: Rolling

Apply Via: Online application

Link: 

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Renewable energy generation

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Project must begin construction before 01/01/2025

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms

Links:  

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Zero emissions renewable energy generation

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  Maximum credit is determined by energy production

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Project must be placed in service after 12/31/2024

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms (under development)

Links:  

Funding Entity: Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development

Eligible Activities: Supports comprehensive turnkey services which includes technical assistance, a design for sighting of the chargers, completion of a full plan for installation, make-ready upgrades, charging hardware, and full installation of the chargers for Vermonters at locations such as workplaces, multiunit homes, and public areas.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Level 1 chargers up to $3,600 per site for design and make ready and up to $500 per OCPP compliant port. Level 2 chargers up to $20,000 per site for design and make ready, up to $3,000 per OCPP compliant port, and up to $2,000 per non-OCPP compliant port.

Match:  Varies by applicant from 0% to 10%.

Application Closing Date:  Incentives are issued on a first-come, first served basis to eligible applicants until 01/15/26 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.

Apply Via:  Online pre-application form

Links:  https://www.vermontevchargers.com/

Note:  

  • This statewide program is administered by Green Mountain Power.
  • Pre-approved electrical contractors and local electric utilities will also offer technical assistance to help applicants who may have limited experience with EV charging.
  • To ensure fair distribution, there will be caps on the total incentives issued per applicant, per site, and per county.
  • Incentive can be combined with federal, state, and utility incentives with project cost limits reflective of match required.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)

Eligible Activities:  Construction or reconstruction of highways, roads, bridges, and pedestrian facilities, certain facilities related to rail or public transit, and electric vehicle charging stations and natural gas refueling stations available for public use

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  Based on borrower’s ability to carry debt

Match:  10% to 20% equity contribution

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.veda.org/financing-options/other-financing-option/state-infrastructure-bank-program/  

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Storage or dispensing of a clean-burning fuel into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle propelled by such fuel if the storage or dispensing of the fuel is at the point where such fuel is delivered into the fuel tank of the motor vehicle, or the recharging of motor vehicles propelled by electricity. Clean-burning fuels include natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, electricity, and any other fuel at least 85 percent of which is methanol, ethanol, any other alcohol, and/or ether. Property must be located in a low-income census tract as defined under IRC § 40D9(e) or a non-urban census tract.

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  $100,000 per item of property

Match:  N/A

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Project must be placed in service between 2023 - 2032.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms

Links:  

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Purchase of a qualified motor vehicle or mobile machinery as defined in IRC 4053(8) (including vehicles that are not designed to perform a function of transporting a load over a public highway)

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $7,500 and up to $40,000 depending on gross vehicle weight

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Vehicle must be placed in service between 2023 - 2032.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms

Links:  

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Zero emissions solar energy property, geothermal property, fiber-optic solar property, fuel cell property, microturbine property, small wind property, offshore wind property, combined heat and power property, waste energy recovery property, energy storage technology, biogas property, microgrid controllers, dynamic glass, linear generators, microturbine projects, and geothermal heat pump projects.

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  Maximum credit is determined by eligible energy investment

Match:  No

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Construction begin and end dates vary by technology.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms (under development)

Links:  

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities:  New or retrofit buildings that increase their energy efficiency by at least 25 percent will be able to claim this deduction, with bonuses for higher efficiency improvements.

Funding Tool:  Transfer of tax credit to qualified project designer

Min/Max Funding:  Maximum credit is determined by IRS annually

Match:  No

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Project must be placed in service after 12/31/2022. Credit expires 12/31/31.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms 

Links:  

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Provides a rebate for the purchase or lease of any of the following: battery all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric bicycles and electric cargo bicycles, adaptive electric cycles, electric motorcycles, and electric snowmobiles. Base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) limits apply. Fleet owners are eligible for up to 20 incentives over the life of the program.

Funding Tool:  Rebate

Min/Max Funding:  Up to 25% of a vehicles purchase price (maximum $2,500)

Match:  Up to 75% of a vehicle’s purchase price

Application Closing Date:  First come, first served through 06/30/24

Apply Via:  Online form

Links: 

Notes: 

  • Grantee shall order approved vehicle(s) within 30 days of an executed grant agreement with VTrans and shall enter into a lease or purchase agreement for said vehicle(s) within 90 days of an order. Exceptions (e.g., due to supply chain delays) may be granted after submitting a written request to the Agency for permission to extend the allowable timeframe.
  • Applicants are encouraged to pursue related federal tax credits and local utility rebates.

Funding Entity:  EBSCO

Eligible Activities: Funds solar installations at libraries with a goal of helping libraries offset their expenses by incorporating solar power.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None mentioned. The funding pool is $300,000 and 4-6 grants are made annually.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  04/26/24

Apply Via:  Online portal

Links:  https://www.ebsco.com/solar 

Notes:  The library must be a current EBSCO customer. EBSCO provides research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, ebooks, and discovery service for libraries.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development

Eligible Activities: Funds planning and pre-development work for inclusive, smart-growth neighborhoods by funding municipal planning, site control, design, scoping, and surveying for the development of a new neighborhood or infill development within an existing neighborhood.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Estimated $100,000 to $500,000

Match:  None required.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds are exhausted. Review deadlines are 03/01/24 and 05/31/24.

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/community-partnership-neighborhood-development 

Notes:  Fair Housing Training is available to all grantees and is encouraged for projects which relate to housing and/or revisions to zoning bylaws.

Funding Entity:  Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation

Eligible Activities:  Create or bolster a local community trust organization and development of a transformational project in a village. The community trust project could be the revitalization of a general store, the creation of a community center, improvements to the accessibility of an older town hall, renovation of a large historic home into village-scale housing, and more. Projects primarily focused on outdoor recreation and green space are not eligible. 

Funding Tool:  Grant of technical services and implementation funding

Application Closing Date:  Intake form 05/24/24. Full application is by invitation only. There will be 3-4 additional opportunities to apply.

Min/Max Funding:  Initial assistance is technical services, including consultant/contractor services. Project implementation will be awarded $200,000 to $450,000 in grant funds depending on the project size.

Match:  None required for program participation. Other funding sources related to project implementation may require match.

Apply Via:  Online intake form

Link:  https://ptvermont.org/village-trust-initiative

Notes: 

  • This program is open to towns with fewer than 2,500 people based on the 2020 Census.
  • Selectboard endorsement to participate in the program is required.

Funding Entity:  US Economic Development Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works (infrastructure, facilities and buildings, brownfields) and Economic Adjustment Assistance (CEDS development and implementation) programs

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  ~$600,000 to $5 million; average award has been $1.4 million

Match:  20% to 50% based on the region’s 24-month unemployment rate and/or per capita income

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds have been expended

Apply Via:  EDGE (EDA's grant portal)

Link:

Funding Entity:  US Economic Development Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports disaster recovery activities including economic recovery strategic planning grants, public works construction projects including broadband and resiliency projects, workforce development, capitalization of revolving loan funds, and economic development projects that enhance density in the vicinity of other economic development

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No minimums or maximums are listed

Match:  20% 0f eligible costs, but factors such as project scale, extent of disaster impact, total project cost, relative community distress, and geographic distribution of funds can lower the match rate

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds have been expended

Apply Via:  EDGE

Link:

Note:  Supports recovery in areas where a Presidential disaster declaration was issued in calendar years 2021 and 2022

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. Examples of essential community facilities include: health care facilities; public facilities; community support services; public safety services; educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools; utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment; and local food systems.

Funding Tool:  Grant, loan, and loan guarantee

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum noted

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program/vt#to-apply

Note: 

Funding Entity:  Vermont Bond Agency (a.k.a. Vermont Bond Bank)

Eligible Activities:  Finances long-term capital projects undertaken by municipalities, school districts, and other districts. Common uses include facility renovation and construction, road and highway improvements, sidewalks and streetscapes, energy efficiency upgrades, equipment purchases, water, sewer, and stormwater, and refinancing FEMA or USDA debt.

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  Up to 100% financing of project costs based on overall debt capacity of the borrower

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; Loans are made in the winter and summer following the receipt of an application and approval by the Bond Bank’s Board. Applications generally are due two months prior to the loan closing dates of ~February 28 and July 31 annually.

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:   https://www.vtbondbank.org/pooled-loan-progra

Note:

  • Loans are primarily funded through the issuance of highly rated tax-exempt bonds by the Bond Bank.
  • Requires evidence of voter approval and authority and a legal opinion from local bond counsel. List of approved legal counsels in available on the program webpage.
  • Green energy and energy efficiency lending program anticipated to be available by late 2023. Solar installations, storage, and related expenses will likely be eligible.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development

Eligible Activities:  Provides one-on-one project coaching, local fundraising support, and two to one (2:1) matching grants for community-led placemaking projects.  Placemaking means creating places by transforming public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places. Placemaking relies strongly on community participation.

Funding Tool:  Crowdgranting combines crowdfunding, the practice of funding a project with small contributions from many people, paired with a matching grant from the State)

Min/Max Funding:  $5,000 to $40,000 State matching grant ($2,500 to $20,000 must be raised through the online platform); programming, events, performances, temporary improvements, and demonstration projects are limited to a maximum grant of $10,000 ($5,000 raised through platform)

Match:  Participants set a project fundraising goal and raise 33% of their goal through the web-based online platform. This 33% is the “match”. After the initial goal is reached, the State provides a matching grant of 67%.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/better-places

Note: 

Funding Entity:  Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Eligible Activities:  Supports pre-development costs and feasibility analysis for housing and conservation projects. Eligible activities include appraisals, financial planning/evaluation, site design and land use planning, specialized studies approved by VHCB, percolation and other septic suitability tests, environmental analysis, water quality tests, market studies, options or purchase and sales contracts, and energy analysis.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $10,000 for a single project; up to $15,000 for scattered housing site projects; up to $50,000 for high complexity or uncertainty projects

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Reviewed as received

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.vhcb.org/our-programs/conservation/apply-for-funding#:~:text=For%20Conservation%20Organizations-,FEASIBILITY%20FUNDS,-The%20Board%20provides

Note: 

  • Grant funds are for compensated contracted services, not the applicants staff time.
  • Some degree of site control is required at the time of application.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports creation of a new neighborhood development of infill development within an existing, developed neighborhood. Eligible activities include municipal planning; project scoping; preliminary financial feasibility analysis; permit, legal, and consultant fees; site control; land surveying; site assessment; architectural fees; engineering fees; preparation of construction plans and specifications and community engagement.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $100,000 to $500,000

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling until funds are exhausted; applications reviewed quarterly on the first day of September, December, March, and May.

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.vhcb.org/our-programs/conservation/apply-for-funding#:~:text=For%20Conservation%20Organizations-,FEASIBILITY%20FUNDS,-The%20Board%20provides

Note:  Partnerships are strongly encouraged.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports planning and implementation of housing, economic development, public facilities, public services, and accessibility modifications. Project must primarily benefit persons of low and moderate income.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding: 

  • Accessibility Modification: $5,000 to $100,000
  • Planning: $3,000 to $60,000
  • Implementation: $50,000 to $1 million
  • Scattered Site: $50,000 to $1 million

Match:  Varies by program and project type

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; application submission is September, February, and April annually

Apply Via:  GEARS

Link:   https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/vcdp

Note:  It is very helpful to contact the program staff for your region prior to initiating an application.

Funding Entity:  AmeriCorps (the federal agency for national service and volunteerism)

Eligible Activities:  Provides a team of 8-12 AmeriCorps NCCC members to meet critical community needs in the areas of natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Examples of service activities include, but are not limited to, preparing for, mitigating of, responding to, and recovering from the effects of natural disasters; constructing and rehabilitating low-income housing; building and repairing trails; planting trees; removing invasive plant species; leading and managing community volunteers; installing energy efficient modifications to homes and public facilities; and addressing other local needs.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Not applicable. This is a grant of service.

Match:  Not mentioned in program materials

Application Closing Date:  Applications accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis through 12/31/23

Apply Via: Email

Link:  https://americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities

Notes: 

  • Sponsoring organization is required to provide lodging for the team, and where applicable, is responsible for any fees associated with the lodging space. Specific accommodation requirements are outlined in the application instructions. Camping is permissible.
  • Length of team service usually is 3 to 13 weeks of at least 40 hours of service activities each week.

Funding Entity:  T-Mobile

Eligible Activities:  Supports shovel-ready projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers. Only physical builds or improvements are eligible.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $50,000

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31

Apply Via:  Online portal

Link:   https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants#:~:text=Here%27s%20how%20to%20apply%3A%201%20%20Project%20plan,%20Details%20on%20permits%20needed%20or%20already%20obtained

Note:  Applicants are notified within 60 days after the quarter close, and work must be completed and all funds used within 12 months of award.

Funding Entity:  AmeriCorps

Eligible Activities:  You define services projects that the AmeriCorps team can complete to respond to local needs. The team of 18-26 year-olds and typically serve in one area for 3 to 13 weeks and serve for 40 hours per week. A sponsor may receive assistance for up to 60 weeks, contingent upson application approval.

Min/Max Funding:  None. This is a grant of assistance.

Match:  Sponsors provide adequate indoor or outdoor lodging with showers and cooking facilities for an 8-12 member team with separate female and male sleeping facilities.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via: Online application

Link:  https://americorps.gov/partner/how-it-works/americorps-nccc

Funding Entity:  AmeriCorps

Eligible Activities:  Entities serving as site hosts define services projects that an AmeriCorps volunteer can complete. Depending on the service project type, prospective site hosts can connect with one or more of the following AmeriCorps VISTA State organizations:

  • Environmental Careers and Opportunities AmeriCorps – Implement strategies to protect and improve water quality in the Lake Champlain watershed, and to prevent recyclable and compostable materials from entering our landfills throughout Vermont.
  • Vermont Housing and Conservation Board AmeriCorps - Provide housing placement and independent-living services, connect individuals and families with services to improve food access, and steward the natural environment to improve the ecosystem and increase access throughout Vermont.
  • Vermont Youth Conservation Corps AmeriCorps - Complete projects in conservation and agriculture, increasing food access, developing recreational resources, and improving and protecting natural resources throughout Vermont.
  • SerVermont – End poverty in Vermont by building capacity in organizations that address homelessness, provide job training, fight hunger, provide nutrition education, and address the opioid epidemic. Projects can relate to housing, employment/workforce development, federal benefit access, obesity and food resources, access to health care, energy efficiency, environmental awareness and stewardship, education, and veteran and military families.
  • Lyndon Economic Opportunity AmeriCorps Program - Deliver a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational programming to youth from PreK through 12th grade to improve childhood literacy, farm-to-school education, outdoor and natural sciences education, college preparation, and more at Lyndon State College area nonprofit organizations.

Min/Max Funding:  None. This is a grant of assistance.

Match:  Varies by State sponsor. In addition to a non-Federal cash match, site hosts must be able to direct the project, supervise the VISTA member, and provide necessary administrative support.

Application Closing Date:  Each program has its own application closing date.

Apply Via: Email

Links:  To learn about becoming a host site, visit the organization whose service area matches your project:

Note:  Volunteers typically serve at a host site for one year. 

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Pre-qualifies projects carried out in a rural area as SECD priorities. Projects must promote and implement strategic community investment plans. 

Funding Tool:  Grant, loan or loan guarantee

Min/Max Funding:  This program does not provide funding. It pre-qualifies a project as a priority project for other USDA programs.

Match:  Match is based on the specific USDA program that an applicant will access.

Application Closing Date:  Each USDA program has a different deadline for receipt of application. Awards for SECD application will be obligated by 06/30/24.

Apply Via:USDA Rural Development Vermont/New Hampshire Office, except for Water and Waste Loans and Grants Program which are submitted electronically at https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov.

Links: 

Note: 

  • The SECD program reserves a certain percentage of funds from existing USDA programs specifically for projects with regional or state-level benefits. Designation of your project by SECD prioritizes it for those funds. A separate application for a USDA funding program, such as Community Facilities, must be submitted to that program. It does not need to be submitted at the same time as the SECD application.
  • Qualified investment plans must be multijurisdictional and multisectoral. In Vermont, examples of investment plans that might qualify include a multi-municipal plan, regional plans (RPC, RDC, CUD, Community Action, CEDS, etc.), a state-level plan (CEDS, HUD Consolidated Plan, Climate Action, Forest Future Roadmap, Long-Range Transportation Plan, Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, etc.), or a multi-state plan. Projects do not need to be listed by name in the applicable plan.
  • SECD priority may be given to applications submitted through the following USDA programs: Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees, and Rural Business Development Grants.
  • The definition of “rural area” varies among USDA’s programs. Consult guidance for the program your project from which your project would receive funding.
  • A letter from the entity that developed the plan your project will reference is required. The letter must state that your project is consistent with the plan and that the plan has been adopted.

Funding Entity: US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Eligible Activities: Direct loans and grants to fund projects that improve energy or water efficiency, enhance indoor air quality or sustainability, implement the use of zero-emission electricity generation, low-emission building materials or processes, energy storage, or building electrification strategies, or address climate resilience, of eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties.  

Funding Tool:  Loans and Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Elements Awards Up to $750,000 per property or $40,000 per unit; Leading Edge Awards Up to $10 million per property or $60,000 per unit; Comprehensive Awards Up to $20 million per property or $80,000 per unit

Match:  Varies by program

Application Closing Date: Accepted quarterly, June and September 2023 and January and March 2024

Apply Via: Grants.gov

Link: 

Note:  Eligible owners primarily include owners receiving HUD rental assistance under Multifamily Section 8 project-based rental assistance, Section 202 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Persons with Disabilities.

Funding Entity:  VLCT Property And Casualty Intermunicipal Fund (PACIF)

Eligible Activities:  Certain equipment, facility improvements, and related items that have the primary benefit of reducing the potential for workers’ compensation, property, auto, or liability insurance claims. A sample list of eligible and ineligible equipment and services is included in the PACIF Grant Rules.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $300 to $5,000; maximum award amount is based on the member’s PACIF contribution

Match:  

  • 50% match if a) all high level PACIF Loss Control recommendations addressed and b) at least 50%  of recommendations addressed from Loss Control visits that occurred between January 1, 2022 and the date an application is received.
  • 60% match if less than 50% Loss Control recommendation completed.

Application Closing Date: Rolling from January 1 through October 31 or when funds have been fully committed.

Apply Via:  Online form submitted via email

Link:  https://www.vlct.org/resource/pacif-grants

Note:  

  • Members that have outstanding high priority PACIF Loss Control recommendations are ineligible for this grant until all high priority items have been completed or unless the application will correct the open recommendation.
  • Only one application per municipality is allowed per calendar year.
  • Members may not have more than one application open at any one time.
  • Contact the PACIF Loss Control team or your consultant for feedback on the eligibility of your request prior to submission.

Funding Entity:  VLCT Property And Casualty Intermunicipal Fund (PACIF)

Eligible Activities:  Host or send employees to safety workshops, risk management seminars, and other training programs related to public entity risk management and/or safety. Eligible expenses include registration, textbooks and study materials, travel by bus or airplane, and lodging.

Can be used for individual attendees or for group training. Group training typically is an onsite structured training using onsite or online training.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Individual $100 to $500. Group up to $2,500. Cumulatively, a municipality is eligible for up to $2,500 annually whether through multiple scholarships for individuals or a single group training.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date: Rolling from January 1 through October 31 or when funds have been fully committed.

Apply Via:  Online form submitted via email

Link:  https://www.vlct.org/resource/john-lawe-scholarships

Note:  

  • Must be PACIF member.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the intended training.
  • Municipalities may collaborate and submit dual group applications to pool their scholarships to cover more expensive group trainings, such as The Game of Logging or law enforcement training.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Natural Resources Council

Eligible Activities:  Provides seed money for catalyzing community-based initiatives related to smart growth. Project might address activities such as advocacy for better land use, advancing transportation choices, supporting housing choice and affordability, promoting downtown or village center revitalization, conservation and natural resources, and public outreach and engagement.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $1,500

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date: Rolling

Apply Via:  Online application form submitted via email

Link:  https://vnrc.org/small-grants-for-smart-growth/

Note:  This grant cannot be used as match to other grants.

Funding Entity:  Grassroots Fund

Eligible Activities: 

Seed Grants:  Provides seed money to grassroots organizers to launch new projects or start to significantly change the direction of an existing project. A key focus is Environmental Justice.

Grow Grants:  Supports groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Seed Grants: $500 to $1,000. Grow Grants: $1,000 to $4,000.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Seed Grants: Rolling. Grow Grants: 3rd Tuesday in March and September.

Apply Via:  Online form

Link:  https://grassrootsfund.org/grant-programs

Note:  Generally, for Seed Grants a “new” project should be active less than two years. Grow Grants prioritize support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders.

Funding Entity:  Community Heart & Soul

Eligible Activities:  Provides start-up funding for resident-driven groups looking to implement the Community Heart & Soul model in communities with populations under 30,000. The model is a process that engages the entire population of a community in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. Eligible uses of funds include coaching, project coordination, and project-related expenses.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $10,000

Match:  $10,000

Application Closing Date:  Rolling; applications are reviewed monthly

Apply Via:  Online application

Link:  https://www.communityheartandsoul.org/seed-grants/ 

Note:  Applications involving more than one municipality are eligible.

Funding Entity:  State of Vermont Treasurer’s Office

Eligible Activities:  Provides project financing through local investments in an amount up to 10% of the State of Vermont’s average daily cash balance. For 2023, priorities are housing, environmental, and social equity initiatives that support local economic development.

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $85 million is available to lend

Match:  None required. Proposals that leverage dollars and/or partnerships with other financing sources, or would serve as demonstration projects to encourage further investment from public and private sources, are encouraged and may be favored.

Application Closing Date:  06/01/23. Additional application rounds are anticipated.

Apply Via: Email

Link: https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/cash-and-investments/local-investment-advisory-committee 

Notes:  Term is up to 30 years. Rate varies from 1.0% to 2.5% based on loan term.

Funding Entity:  National Association of Realtors

Eligible Activities:  Supports advancement of programs, policies and initiatives aligned with one or more of the 10 Smart Growth Principles.

  • Level 1 supports efforts to educate REALTORS® and community stakeholders about smart growth topics. Activities may include a class or forum, a speaker(s) who can address specific smart growth issues, or a meeting with stakeholders to develop coalition efforts.
  • Level 2 supports activities to engage in local land-use, growth and transportation issues with other stakeholders and elected officials which will have an impact on policies. These activities could include community planning and input sessions, development of comprehensive plans and zoning policies, studies, research, and reports.
  • Level 3 supports comprehensive initiatives leading to long-term impact in a community with significant REALTOR® and public and private stakeholder involvement.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Level 1 up to $3,000; Level 2 up to $7,500; and Level 3 up to $15,000

Match:  In 2024, the 10% financial commitment requirement is waived.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling through 10/15/24 or until funds are committed, whichever comes first.

Apply Via:  Online portal

Link:  https://realtorparty.realtor/community-outreach/smart-growth/

Note:  Applications can only be submitted by a state or local REALTOR® association so work with your local association. Up to four associations can apply for funding for the same activity.

Funding Entity:  National Association of Realtors

Eligible Activities:  Funds state and local REALTOR® association-led projects that create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites. 

  • Level 1 funds outdoor demonstration and temporary projects to test a project’s viability or inspire permanent projects that increase community livability and downtown revitalization.
  • Level 2 funds the creation of new outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times such as trails and trailheads, playgrounds, pocket parks, parklets, pedestrian plazas, community gardens, public gardens, dog parks, downtown gathering spots and alley activations. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Level 1 up to $3,000; Level 2 up to $7,500

Match:  In 2024, the 10% financial commitment requirement is waived.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling through 10/15/24 or until funds are committed, whichever comes first.

Apply Via:  Applications can only be submitted by a state or local REALTOR® association so work with your local association.

Link:  https://realtorparty.realtor/community-outreach/placemaking

Funding Entity:  Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Eligible Activities:  Supports purchase and conservation of recreational lands for outdoor recreation. Funds also are available for predevelopment costs and analysis for an individual project, such as appraisal services, engineering and environmental studies, options, energy assessments, and marketing analysis.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  None specified

Match:  Not specified

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email karen.freeman@vhcb.org for application

Link:  https://vhcb.org/our-programs/conservation/non-ag-conservation

Funding Entity:  MVP Health Care

Eligible Activities: Outdoor Fitness Courts®

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Cost of the Fitness Court

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, with priority given to communities that apply within the first 60 days. Funding is available on a first come, first served basis.

Apply Via:  Online application to pre-qualify

Link:  https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/newyork

Note:  

  • The Fitness Court® is an outdoor gym. MVP will fund 15 courts in Vermont for 2024.
  • The courts are being designed as kinetic art pieces. Recipients may work with a local artist to customize the court. 

Funding Entity:  The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation)

Eligible Activities:  Supports NEW public concrete skatepark projects, including skatepark construction, skate spot construction (turn-key grants available), skateable art sculptures, permission DIY skatepark construction, active city space conversion (legalizing skateboarding in shared spaces), and accessibility improvements/repairs.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $1,000 to $300,000 with average awards of $10,000

Match:  Some fundraising must be conducted prior to applying

Application Closing Date:  Letter of inquiry accepted on a rolling basis. Application submission is by invitation only.

Apply Via:  Online portal

Link:  https://skatepark.org/the-skatepark-project-grants/

Notes: 

  • Technical assistance is available on design and construction, promotional materials, and other information.
  • Focus is underserved communities – defined as communities marginalized by poverty, geography, or racial, gender and other forms of social inequality or discrimination.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Eligible Activities:  Provides funding to marinas for constructing, renovating, and maintaining tie-up facilities for transient boaters with vessels 26 feet or greater in length. Eligible projects include mooring buoys, day-docks, navigational aids (channel markers, buoys, directional information), transient slips (slips that boaters with nontrailerable recreational vessels occupy for no more than 10 consecutive days), safe harbors for transients, floating docks and fixed piers, floating breakwaters, dinghy docks, restrooms, bulkheads, dockside utilities, pumpout stations, and dockside electric service and water supplies.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Tier 1 up to $100,000; Tier 2 up to $1 million

Match:  25% of total project costs

Application Closing Date:  August 15 annually

Apply Via:  All applicants must call the Department at (802) 828-1000 prior to starting an application

Link:  https://vtfishandwildlife.com/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/boating-infrastructure-grant 

Notes: Facilities must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Water depth at the facility must be at least 6 feet deep at low water.
  • Be open to the public.
  • Able to accommodate boats 26 feet in length or greater.
  • Within two miles of a public pumpout facility.
  • Located on navigable waters.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Eligible Activities:  Provides funding to marinas for construction, renovation, operation or maintenance costs of their pumpout stations for recreational boaters. Eligible projects include:

  • construction, renovation, operation, or maintenance of pumpout stations, pumpout boats, and dump stations used by boaters, and 
  • projects that hold and transport boater sewage to sewage treatment plants, such as holding tanks, piping, or hauling and disposal fees.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Tier 1 up to $100,000; Tier 2 up to $1 million

Match:  25% of total project costs

Application Closing Date:  August 15 annually

Apply Via:  All applicants must call the Department at (802) 828-1000 prior to starting an application to ensure project eligibility and obtain the most up-to-date information on funding and the application process.

Link:  https://vtfishandwildlife.com/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/clean-vessel-act-grant

Funding Entity:  Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)

Eligible Activities:  Construction or reconstruction of highways, roads, bridges, and pedestrian facilities, certain facilities related to rail or public transit, and electric vehicle charging stations and natural gas refueling stations available for public use

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  Based on borrower’s ability to carry debt

Match:  10% to 20% equity contribution

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://www.veda.org/financing-options/other-financing-option/state-infrastructure-bank-program/

Funding Entity: Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development

Eligible Activities: Supports comprehensive turnkey services which includes technical assistance, a design for sighting of the chargers, completion of a full plan for installation, make-ready upgrades, charging hardware, and full installation of the chargers for Vermonters at locations such as workplaces, multiunit homes, and public areas.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Level 1 chargers up to $3,600 per site for design and make ready and up to $500 per OCPP compliant port. Level 2 chargers up to $20,000 per site for design and make ready, up to $3,000 per OCPP compliant port, and up to $2,000 per non-OCPP compliant port.

Match:  Varies by applicant from 0% to 10%.

Application Closing Date:  Incentives are issued on a first-come, first served basis to eligible applicants until 01/15/26 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.

Apply Via:  Online pre-application form

Links:  

Notes:  

  • This statewide program is administered by Green Mountain Power.
  • Pre-approved electrical contractors and local electric utilities will also offer technical assistance to help applicants who may have limited experience with EV charging.
  • To ensure fair distribution, there will be caps on the total incentives issued per applicant, per site, and per county.
  • Incentive can be combined with federal, state, and utility incentives with project cost limits reflective of match required.

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Storage or dispensing of a clean-burning fuel into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle propelled by such fuel if the storage or dispensing of the fuel is at the point where such fuel is delivered into the fuel tank of the motor vehicle, or the recharging of motor vehicles propelled by electricity. Clean-burning fuels include natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, electricity, and any other fuel at least 85 percent of which is methanol, ethanol, any other alcohol, and/or ether. Property must be located in a low-income census tract as defined under IRC § 40D9(e) or a non-urban census tract.

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  $100,000 per item of property

Match:  N/A

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Project must be placed in service between 2023 - 2032.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms

Links:  

Funding Entity: State Infrastructure Bank via Vermont Economic Development Authority

Eligible Activities:  Electric vehicle charging stations and natural gas refueling stations available for public use

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $100,000

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  Email

Links:  https://www.veda.org/financing-options/vermont-commercial-financing/electric-vehicle-charging-station-loan-program/

Funding Entity: US Treasury Department

Eligible Activities: Purchase of a qualified motor vehicle or mobile machinery as defined in IRC 4053(8) (including vehicles that are not designed to perform a function of transporting a load over a public highway)

Funding Tool:  Direct pay tax credit (tax refund)

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $7,500 and up to $40,000 depending on gross vehicle weight

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  Annually at close of calendar year. Vehicle must be placed in service between 2023 - 2032.

Apply Via:  Internal Revenue Service forms

Links:  

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Provides a rebate for the purchase or lease of any of the following: battery all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric bicycles and electric cargo bicycles, adaptive electric cycles, electric motorcycles, and electric snowmobiles. Base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) limits apply. Fleet owners are eligible for up to 20 incentives over the life of the program.

Funding Tool:  Rebate

Min/Max Funding:  Up to 25% of a vehicles purchase price (maximum $2,500)

Match:  Up to 75% of a vehicle’s purchase price

Application Closing Date:  First come, first served through 06/30/24

Apply Via:  Online form

Links: 

Notes: 

  • Grantee shall order approved vehicle(s) within 30 days of an executed grant agreement with VTrans and shall enter into a lease or purchase agreement for said vehicle(s) within 90 days of an order. Exceptions (e.g., due to supply chain delays) may be granted after submitting a written request to the Agency for permission to extend the allowable timeframe.
  • Applicants are encouraged to pursue related federal tax credits and local utility rebates.

Funding Entity:  Federal Highway Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports projects to improve bridge and culvert condition, safety, efficiency, and reliability. Project must be included on the National Bridge Inventory. There are two categories of projects. Bridge Project grants replace, rehabilitate, preserve, or protect one or more bridges on the National Bridge Inventory for projects with total eligible costs not greater than $100 million. This includes bridge bundling and culverts. Eligible costs include development phase activities, construction, and protection of a bridge, including scour protection. Planning grants support planning, feasibility analyses, and revenue forecasting associated with the development of a project that would subsequently be eligible to apply for assistance under the Bridge Investment Program. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $20 million for planning. $2.5 million to $80 million bridge projects

Match:  20% of total eligible project costs; planning grants may have a different match per 23 U.S.C. 120.

Application Closing Date:  Rolling. Submission encouraged by 10/01/24 and 10/01/25 for planning projects. Submission encouraged by 11/01/24 and 11/01/25 for bridge projects.

Apply Via:  Grants.gov

Links: 

Notes: 

  • Projects must use FHWAs Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool.
  • At least one eligible large bridge project or two eligible bridge (smaller) projects are expected to be awarded in each state. Vermont was not awarded a grant in 2022. Consultation with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont office of the Federal Highway Administration is encouraged prior to applying.
  • DOT may award no more than 5 percent of funds made available for each fiscal year to eligible projects solely consisting of culvert replacement or rehabilitation.

For bridge construction projects, preliminary engineering must be complete and the project must reasonably expect to begin construction no later than 18 months after FHWA obligates funds for the project.

Funding Entity:  US Department of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Provides planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation. Eligible projects include certain highway or bridge projects, public transportation projects, and passenger and freight rail transportation projects; port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); the surface transportation components of a certain airport projects; intermodal projects whose components are otherwise an eligible project type; projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the RAISE program; projects investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal Government; and any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Up to $25 million for planning; $5 to $25 million for capital 

Match:  20% of eligible project costs unless the project is located in a rural area, a historically disadvantaged community, or an area of persistent poverty. Definitions for these terms and their eligible areas are available at https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants/raise-app-hdc.

Application Closing Date:  Multiple fiscal years: 01/13/25 and 01/13/26 respectively.

Apply Via:  Grants.gov

Links: 

Notes:  Applicants must complete a Benefit-Cost Analysis. Applicants should review the Department’s detailed guidance on how to conduct this analysis.

Funding Entity:  Northern Borders Regional Commission

Eligible Activities:  Supports the use of wood-based materials and composites (advanced wood materials) through applied research and demonstration projects that showcase the suitability of such materials to transportation and transportation adjacent infrastructure. Includes feasibility and implementation projects, such as 

  • state or regional inventory assessments of the suitability of wood components to address needed transportation infrastructure improvements and/or new construction.
  • architectural and engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary for implementation of transportation infrastructure projects.
  • transportation infrastructure projects which utilize commercialized wood products and advanced wood materials to address climate adaptive transportation improvements.
  • design and construction of pilot and demonstration projects that showcase the capabilities and benefits of utilizing advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure; and transportation-adjacent structures that utilize advanced wood materials.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Feasibility Projects: $250,000 to $1 million; Implementation Projects: $1 million to $5 million

Match:  Varies based on service area level of distress

Application Closing Date:  Pre-Application (Required) 09/06/24; Application (By Invitation) 10/18/24

Apply Via:  NRBC Grants Management System

Link:  https://www.nbrc.gov/content/t4t 

Notes: 

  • Priority is given to projects that commit to using domestically sourced timber, especially from the Northern Borders region.
  • Submission of a Project Interest Form is recommended in advance of submitting a Pre-Application.

Funding Entity:  US Department of Transportation

Eligible Activities: Supports planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users. Eligible project types include development of a comprehensive safety action plan, supplemental planning to enhance an existing plan, demonstration activities to inform a plan, and planning, design, development, and implementation activities for projects and strategies in a plan.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  $100,000 to $10 million planning and demonstration, but smaller amounts will be considered; $2.5 million to $25 million for implementation grants

Match:  20% of eligible activity costs

Application Closing Date:  Planning and Demonstration Grants 05/16/24 and 08/29/24 (two cycles); Implementation Grants 05/16/24 only (one cycle)

Apply Via:  Valid Eval, USDOT’s online proposal system

Link: 

Note: 

  • Applicants can apply to develop a comprehensive safety action plan or to implement actions in their plan. To apply for an implementation grant, the applicant’s safety action plan must meet program requirements. 
  • If your municipality is considering an application, it can be helpful to contact Jacqui DeMent, Community Planner and Grants Manager, US Department of Transportation Federal Highways Administration - Vermont Division, at Jacqueline.dement@dot.gov or 802-828-4573. While FHWA Division office staff cannot review grant applications, they can discuss process, eligibility, and the general scope of potential projects.

Funding Entity:  US Department of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Supports creation of plans or implementation of active transportation networks that connect destinations within or between communities, or creation of plans or implementation of an active transportation spine connecting two or more communities, metropolitan regions, or State.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Planning and Design $100,000 to ~$2 million; Construction at least $15 million. Minimums reflect the total cost of the project, not the federal award.

Match:  20% of total project cost; a higher match % is more competitive. For projects serving communities with a poverty rate of over 40 percent based on the majority of census tracts served by the project, match is not required.

Application Closing Date:  06/17/24

Apply Via:  Grants.gov

Links: 

Notes: 

  • Active transportation networks are facilities built for active transportation, including sidewalks, bikeways, and pedestrian and bicycle trails, that connect between destinations within a community or metropolitan region. Active transportation spines are facilities built for active transportation, including sidewalks, bikeways, and pedestrian and bicycle trails, that connect between communities, metropolitan regions, or States. Active transportation means mobility options that are powered primarily by human energy.
  • Any eligible organization that submits a project located in part on Federal land must have a cooperative agreement with the appropriate Federal Agency with jurisdiction over the Federal land before applying.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Supports use of erosion control and maintenance techniques for best management practices in accordance with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP). Eligible BMPs according to the MRGP Standards: 

  • Grass and stone-lined drainage ditches and stone check-dams 
  • Turnouts, cross culverts, and other disconnection and infiltration practices 
  • Lowering of high road shoulders 
  • Installation or replacement of drainage culverts and driveway culverts on non-perennial streams within right-of-way and installation of culvert headwalls and outlet stabilization 
  • Stabilizing conveyance zones 
  • Addressing gully erosion on Class 4 roads 
  • Stabilizing catch basin outlets. 

Funding Tool:  Grant

Application Closing Date:  05/10/24

Min/Max Funding:  $5,625 to $38,125; Award amount based on  the estimated hydrologically connected road miles, sorted into five-mile increments, and the number of participating municipalities.

Match:  20% of documented construction expenses

Apply Via:  Email

Link:  https://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/Municipal-Grant-in-aid-Program

Note:  

  • Municipalities must be compliant with MRGP requirements at the time of award.
  • At their discretion, municipalities can apply for administrative support for up to 10% of the total award, not to exceed $1,500 per award.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Transportation

Eligible Activities:  Funds feasibility studies (a.k.a. scoping or alternative analysis) and design/construction of Complete Streets, shared-use paths, on-road bicycle lanes, shoulders, sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements, pedestrian signals, Americans with Disabilities accessibility improvements, and shared use paths. Applications may be for construction of new facilities, reconstruction of existing infrastructure to meet current design standards, or a combination of both.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding: Scoping Study ~$40,000 to ~$60,000; Small-Scale Construction $5,000 to $75,000; Large-Scale Design and Construction No maximum; Additional Funding for an Existing Project No maximum

Match:  Scoping Study 20%; Small-Scale Construction 50%; Large Scale Design and Construction 20%; Additional Funding for an Existing Project 20%. All match percentages are percent of total project cost.

Application Closing Date:  06/14/24

Apply Via:  Online application

Link:  https://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/local-projects/bike-ped#:~:text=Working%20with%20VTrans-,Bicycle%20and%20Pedestrian%20Program,-The%20Bicycle%20and

Notes:  

  • Previous awardees can apply for additional funding for an existing project. These projects must have a VTrans right-of-way clearance certificate and be in the process of developing contract plans and bid documents to qualify for additional funding.
  • VLCT highly recommends that municipalities review the Municipal Assistance Guidebook for Locally Managed Projects before applying for this grant. The transportation process is prescriptive.

Funding Entity:  Federal Railroad Administration

Eligible Activities:  Supports deployment of railroad safety technology; capital projects; highway-rail grade crossing improvements; rail line relocation or improvements; preparation of regional rail and corridor service development plans and environmental analysis; enhancement of multimodal connections and service integration; development and implementation of safety programs and measures to prevent trespass and reduce associated injuries and fatalities; research to advance rail-related capital, operations or safety improvements or to advance innovative rail projects; workforce development and training; preparation of emergency plans for communities through which hazardous materials are transported by rail; and locomotive-related activities that significantly reduce emissions.

Funding Tool:  Grant or Cooperative Agreement

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum. FTA encouraged applications of $1 million or greater

Match:  20% of total project cost

Application Closing Date:  05/28/24

Apply Via:  Grants.gov

Links: 

Notes:  Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their project with VTrans prior to applying.

Funding Entity: Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Eligible Activities: Planning, design, source protection, and construction of public water systems that improve public health protection and facilitate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum noted except for Asset Management Planning Loans which have a $50,000 maximum

Match:  None

Application Closing Date: Closing Date for inclusion on the Vermont Intended Use Plan 01/16/24 (See Note below). Applications – July 2024

Apply Via: 

Link: https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/water-financing/dwsrf 

Note: Each year the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) publish Intended Use Plans (IUPs) that explain how funding provided by the Federal government will be used. The IUP lists projects that have requested funding in a year and sets the State’s project priorities. Projects must be on the priority list or be accepted as an “emergency” project and must meet readiness to proceed criteria to receive funding.  The Closing Date reflects the last date to submit projects for inclusion in the IUP for the upcoming funding cycle.

Funding Entity: State ARPA to the Vermont Department of Economic Development

Eligible Activities:  Water supply or wastewater infrastructure that will result in new or rehabilitated affordable housing (as defined in (24 V.S.A. § 4303), or the creation of a new business or the expansion of an existing business that meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the region

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  20% of total eligible project cost up to $1 million maximum

Match:  80% of total project cost

Application Closing Date: When funds are fully expended

Apply Via: Online

Link:  https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/community-recovery-and-revitalization-program

Note:  These funds may be used as match for other federal grant programs, if accepted by those programs.

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports development and construction of clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage in rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction or improvements, and in some cases, related activities such as legal and engineering fees, land acquisition, permitting, start-up operations and maintenance, and other activities.

Funding Tool:  Grant and loan

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum noted

Match:  None

Application Closing Date:  Rolling

Apply Via:  RDApply

Link:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program/vt

Notes:  

  • Eligibility is dependent on population size and area income.
  • Grant eligible by town is available on the program website. Contact USDA before starting an application.

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Development

Eligible Activities:  Supports low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects in rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less and a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Program materials list conflicting information. Maximum funding is either $25,000 or $60,000 or 75% of the predevelopment planning costs.

Match:  At least 25% of the project cost

Application Closing Date:  State applicant pool 12/16/22; national applicant pool 04/14/23

Apply Via:  RDApply

Link:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/water-waste-disposal-predevelopment-planning-grants/vt-nh

Note: 

  • Even if your community is not grant eligible based on its Median Household Income (MHI), your project may still be eligible based on the MHI of its service area. Contact USDA Vermont to explore a project-based eligibility determination.
  • These grants do not have to be paid back if the application for a USDA-funded project is not successful. If awarded a grant, the grant amount will be subtracted from the total grant eligibility if a USDA grant is awarded for part of the water or waste disposal project.

Funding Entity: Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Eligible Activities: Planning, final design, and construction of wastewater collection system and treatment facility construction, upgrade or refurbishment; water and energy efficiency or environmentally innovative projects; combined sewer overflow elimination; stormwater treatment and green infrastructure; community decentralized wastewater disposal systems non-point source pollution prevention, including natural resources projects; sewer extensions; and contaminated sites

Funding Tool:  Loan

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum noted

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date: Closing Date for inclusion on the Vermont Intended Use Plan 01/16/24 (See Note below). Applications – July 2024

Apply Via: 

Link: https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/water-financing/cwsrf 

Note: Each year the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) publish Intended Use Plans (IUPs) that explain how funding provided by the Federal government will be used. The IUP lists projects that have requested funding in a year and sets the State’s project priorities. Projects must be on the priority list or be accepted as an “emergency” project and must meet readiness to proceed criteria to receive funding.  The Closing Date reflects the last date to submit projects for inclusion in the IUP for the upcoming funding cycle.

Funding Entity:  Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

Eligible Activities:  Provides financial assistance to eligible 3-acre sites seeking to obtain Three-Acre Permit coverage. A “three-acre site” is an impervious surface of three or more acres that has never had an operational stormwater permit, or was permitted to standards in place prior to the 2002 Stormwater Management Manual.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding: All qualifying sites in the Lake Memphremagog, Lake Champlain, and stormwater impaired basins will be eligible for up to $49,999 in beneficiary payments. Up to $19,999 is reserved for permit review costs incurred during the Full Notice of Intent (NOI) (i.e., final permit application/authorization) submission and review process. Up to $30,000 is reserved for engineering costs/invoices. Manufactured Housing Communities are not subject to these cost caps within the $49,999 total.

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  10/31/24

Apply Via:  ANR Online portal

Links:  https://anr.vermont.gov/special-topics/arpa-vermont/treating-stormwater-runoff#POA:~:text=3%2DAcre%20Permit%20Obtainment%20Assistance%20(POA)%20Program

Note: 

  • This program covers Phase 1 design and permitting costs only, not construction costs.
  • This program uses State ARPA funds. Therefore, costs incurred from 03/03/21 through 10/31/24 are eligible.

Eligible Activities:  Supports planning and implementation of nitrogen prevention or reduction projects in the Connecticut River watershed, such as green infrastructure, riparian buffers, freshwater wetland and in-stream restoration, installation of decentralized on-site wastewater treatment systems, agricultural practices, low-cost wastewater treatment facility retrofits, right-sizing culverts, improving road crossing, etc.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  Design/Planning $50,000 to $500,000; Implementation $50,000 to $1.5 million; Education and Public Participation $50,000 to $250,000

Match:  50% of the “Requested Amount” from the Fund (ex. Requesting $100,000 then Match is $50,000)

Application Closing Date:  Project idea form (encouraged) 04/14/23. Full proposal 05/13/24

Apply Via:  easygrants.nfwf.org

Link:  https://www.nfwf.org/programs/long-island-sound-futures-fund

Note:  Applicants are eligible for one-to-one assistance to foster development of water quality improvement proposals. Contact Throwe Environmental at to lisff@throwe-environmental.com/learn more about applicant assistance. Throwe serves as the Field Liaison for the grant. 

Funding Entity:  USDA Rural Utility Services

Eligible Activities:  Supports restoration, repair, or rebuilding of water infrastructure systems, include drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater projects related to damages from Presidentially Declared Disasters that occurred between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Also supports development of water infrastructure system capacity and resiliency to reduce or eliminate long term risks from hazards resulting from the eligible declared disaster. Costs reimbursed by insurance, FEMA, other EPA programs, state programs, and other programs cannot be covered by this program.

Funding Tool:  Grant

Min/Max Funding:  No minimum or maximum award amount

Match:  None required

Application Closing Date:  Rolling, until funds are exhausted

Apply Via: RDApply. Contact USDA Vermont Office prior to applying.

Link: 

Notes:  Eligible Vermont municipalities are those located in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grant Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties (Vermont Severe Storm and Flooding (DR-4695-VT) with a population ≤35,000.

Publication Date
09/23/2023