The Curtis Fund Inc
The Curtis Fund provides educational scholarships to Vermont students pursuing a postsecondary education, aiming to level the playing field so that every vermonter has a chance to obtain the education they need, regardless of family background, income level, or birthplace.
The Curtis Fund Inc at a glance
In short: The Curtis Fund Inc gave $2.2M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $744K), mostly in Vermont. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,231,297
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $743,766
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $115,500
- Total assets
- $34,265,687
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Vermont (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Curtis Fund Inc
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Curtis Fund Inc
Curtis Credential of Value (CoV) Scholarship Program
The Curtis Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Curtis Fund General Scholarships for Postsecondary Education
The Curtis Fund Inc
Amount
$3,400 annually (as of 2022-23 academic year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Curtis Fund Commitment: A Comprehensive Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators
The Curtis Fund Inc
Amount
Full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, and transportation)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Curtis Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vermont Scholarship Fund Co Vermont Student Assistance Corporation ($2.1M). Together the top 3 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 9 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Curtis Fund Inc gives
- Giving grew 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2020) to $2.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Scholarship Fund Co Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Winooski, VT | To provide scholarship awards from the curtis fund, inc. | $2,095,650 |
| Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children Burlington, VT | To provide scholarship awards from the curtis fund, inc. | $115,500 |
| Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VT | To provide scholarship awards from the curtis fund, inc. | $20,147 |
Ready to take the next step with The Curtis Fund Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $34,265,687 | $1,312,033 | $2,613,841 | $2,231,297 | 3 | — | $1,133,148 | — |
| 2023 | $33,022,351 | $1,483,670 | $2,494,314 | $2,132,907 | 3 | — | $1,119,184 | — |
| 2022 | $29,046,871 | $1,318,409 | $2,206,234 | $1,852,237 | 1 | $2,052,113 | $494,825 | $1,594,761 |
| 2021 | $30,088,568 | $2,616,169 | $1,908,544 | $1,645,809 | 1 | $1,788,653 | $1,712,265 | $1,735,345 |
| 2020 | $29,380,943 | $813,061 | $1,694,132 | $1,510,000 | 1 | — | $510,418 | $1,485,660 |
About The Curtis Fund Inc
Based on IRS filings
The Curtis Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Middlebury, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $34.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $2.2M. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Curtis Fund Inc is led by Shana Trombley, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shana Trombley
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$65K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Amy Mellencamp
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Philie
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
32 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Metz
Director
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leilani Pearl
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hillary Burrows
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seth Bowden
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Breen
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan Goldstein
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Dan Smith (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Joseph Boutin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Spencer Knapp (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $81K, to Shana Trombley (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Curtis Fund Inc
How much does The Curtis Fund Inc give each year?
The Curtis Fund Inc gave $2.2M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 3 grants.
What is The Curtis Fund Inc's typical grant size?
The Curtis Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $115,500, and its average grant was $743,766, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Curtis Fund Inc give grants?
The Curtis Fund Inc gives mostly in Vermont: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does The Curtis Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Curtis Fund Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide Scholarship Awards from the Curtis Fund, Inc." (3 grants).
How large is The Curtis Fund Inc?
The Curtis Fund Inc reported $34.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What is The Curtis Fund Inc?
The Curtis Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Middlebury, VT. It holds $34.3M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Curtis Fund Inc's EIN?
The Curtis Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-6009912. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Curtis Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Vermont
National Life Group Charitable
Montpelier, VT
National Life Group Charitable primarily funds programs addressing childhood hunger and children’s mental health, with secondary support for community development, especially in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $20 to $125,000, with a median of $1,040. It accepts online grant applications from January 1 through March 31; sponsorship requests are accepted year-round beginning in January, subject to available funds.
Assets
$27.4M
Grants
757
Total Given
$2.7M
The Vermont Community Foundation
Middlebury, VT
The Vermont Community Foundation funds nonprofits working on economic equity, education, health, climate, democracy, and community resilience, with a focus on Vermont communities. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $18,000, though giving varied widely; some programs list awards from $250 to $25,000. RALI is invitation-only, and the Paul Post Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis; the profile does not state whether other programs accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$370.6M
Grants
728
Total Given
$46.3M
Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc
South Burlington, VT
It funds grassroots organizing for progressive social and environmental change nationally, as well as community programs in Vermont. In 2024, grants ranged from $26 to $295,000, with a $2,000 median; active Vermont Community Action Team grants are generally under $2,000. The national grassroots program is closed and not accepting applications; Vermont Community Action Team accepts online applications year-round.
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
448
Total Given
$4.2M
The Windham Foundation Inc
Grafton, VT
The Windham Foundation funds Vermont nonprofits working on rural economic development, food security, conservation, arts and learning, historic preservation, and community wellness; it also offers small grants for Grafton-area projects. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $40,205, with a median of $2,300. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations through its online process.
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
124
Total Given
$393K
Alchemist Foundation Inc
Waterbury, VT
Alchemist Foundation supports youth educational and economic opportunity through scholarships, training, school programs, and grants to organizations advancing equity and opportunity. Organizational grants are typically $2,000 or less (the reported median was $1,000), focused on communities along Route 100 from the Mad River Valley through Lamoille County and parts of Orleans and Washington counties. Organizations may email an introduction, but full proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$45K
Grants
101
Total Given
$122K
World Learning Inc
Brattleboro, VT
World Learning funds education, international development and exchange, including participant exchanges, study abroad, youth programs, refugee resettlement, scholarships, and related projects. In 2025 it made 127 grants ranging from $5,049 to $1,213,955, with a median of $20,901; its programs reach 162 countries, while reported grants went to recipients across multiple U.S. states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$72.0M
Grants
127
Total Given
$5.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Vermont
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Curtis Fund Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Curtis Fund Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?