Invitation-Only Grant Systems Development or Systemic Change

Invitation-Only Grant Systems Development or Systemic Change

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation
Amount: More than US $10,000
Last Updated: July 01, 2025

Summary

The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation provides invitation-only grants aimed at enhancing postsecondary education opportunities for young Vermonters. By prioritizing equity and systemic change, the foundation supports initiatives that make education more accessible and affordable. Grants range from $10,000 to over $100,000, focusing on scaling Vermont's Free Degree Promise and diversifying the public educator workforce. Organizations serving Vermont's communities are encouraged to apply for funding aligned with these goals.

Overview

NOTE: Our grant process is invitation-only. At any time of year, we encourage you to reach out to our Executive Director to discuss how your idea or project lines up with Foundation priorities. The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, works to make postsecondary education the easy choice for young Vermonters because we believe college and career training opens the door to lifelong opportunities. In all we do, we’re committed to a relational approach that centers equity, takes the long view, and advances systems development and systemic change. Our Grantmaking We use grants to make postsecondary education the easy choice for young Vermonters because we believe that college and career training opens the door to lifelong opportunity. On this page you can find more information about our giving philosophy and processes. Over 7,400 teachers, 4,500 Registered Nurses, and over 1,600 software developers: this is just a snapshot of the high-pay, high-demand jobs expected in Vermont in the next ten years. While we know that these and other promising jobs often require education or training after high school, fewer than half of young people in Vermont enroll in degree programs directly after high school, which is the lowest in New England, according to the New England Secondary Schools Consortium. That continuation rate is even lower -- 31 percent -- for Vermont students from low-income backgrounds. What We Fund Our goal is to help make the education and training pathways to Vermont’s most promising jobs more visible, more accessible, and more affordable. Embedded in our vision are public college and career training systems that drive equity and resilience. In all we do, we’re committed to a relational approach that centers equity and takes the long view. We continue to support organizations, including the Community College of Vermont, the Vermont School Counselors Association, and Serve Learn Earn, with this type of multi-year capacity support. Through our invitation-only grant processes, we proactively invite grant proposals ranging from $10,000 to over $100,000 for systems development or systemic change efforts. Our current two priority areas for these grants are: Equitably scaling and sustaining Vermont's Free Degree Promise.Public educator workforce development and diversification. If your work aligns with one of these priorities, please contact us to discuss funding opportunities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency, school, or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another eligible organization acts as a fiscal sponsor.Grant applicants must employ staff and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability.

Ineligibility

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the McClure Foundation.