Deerfield River Enhancement Fund Grant

The Deerfield River Enhancement Fund Grant, managed by the Vermont Community Foundation, supports environmental projects within the Deerfield River Basin. With a funding pool of approximately $14,000, eligible applicants include nonprofits and educational institutions in Vermont and Massachusetts. Projects can range from educational workshops to public access improvements, fostering community engagement and sustainability. The next grant cycle opens in November 2026, offering a valuable opportunity for organizations focused on preserving the watershed.

NOTE: The Deerfield River Enhancement Fund runs a competitive process every 4 years. We anticipate opening the next cycle in November 2026 with awards being distributed in spring/summer 2027.
Since 1986, the Vermont Community Foundation has
been committed to building philanthropic resources that sustain healthy
and vital Vermont communities. One part of that work involves making
grants. The Foundation awards more than $12 million annually to
nonprofit organizations in Vermont and beyond. These grants support a
breadth of issues such as hunger, housing, arts, cultural heritage,
social justice, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
The Deerfield River Enhancement Fund was established in 1999 by USGen New England, Inc., now known as Great River Hydro, LLC , for the environmental preservation of the Deerfield River Watershed. Grants are awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects, or continuing funding for outstanding, existing programs. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteer monitoring projects, events, trail work projects, field trips, educational workshops, media campaigns, and improving public access sites.
The Vermont Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts are jointly managing grantmaking for the Deerfield River Enhancement Fund.
The Fund will make a grant or grants totaling approximately $14,000.

Eligibility

Eligible grant recipients include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and units of local and regional government within Vermont and Massachusetts. Projects must be located within the Deerfield River Basin or in towns with some portion falling within the basin.In the latter case, projects must be directly tied to the basin, e.g. a trail spur originating outside the basin that connects with a trail network within the basin.Grant applicants must employ staff and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability.