VCF: Green Mountain Fund Grant

The Green Mountain Fund, established by the Vermont Community Foundation, offers grants between $500 and $5,000 to support charitable activities in Lamoille and Orleans Counties. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations and municipalities serving these areas. The Fund prioritizes projects that enhance community engagement, sustainability, and food security, and does not support capital campaigns or previously incurred expenses. Applications are accepted year-round, with funding decisions typically made within six to eight weeks.

Note: The Green Mountain Fund has no deadline—you may apply anytime through our Online Grants Manager. The Green Mountain Fund review committee, made up of donor advisors to the fund, evaluates all applications and makes funding recommendations to the Foundation. Notification is usually made six to eight weeks after submission. Please plan accordingly when submitting your proposal—if your proposal is time-sensitive, contact Foundation staff in advance of submission.
About the Vermont Community Foundation
We are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. Together, our funds and programs put more than $60 million a year to work in Vermont and beyond, through grants and investments.
The Green Mountain Fund was established at the Vermont Community Foundation in 1993 to support charitable activities in Lamoille County. Grantmaking has since been expanded to include Orleans County and neighboring communities and counties.
Grant Size
The Green Mountain Fund makes grants ranging from $500-$5,000.

Eligibility

Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived 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 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 (meaning any funds having a competitive application process) by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation.If grant applicants employ staff or engage volunteers, they must do so 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.Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations, schools, municipal entities who service area includes Lamoille or Orleans County or its neighboring communities. Applicants who employ staff and provide services must do so without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.What We Fund:Focus areas include:

• Increase access to opportunity for low-income youth and families
• Connect people to the environment around them in ways that encourage stewardship and respect
• Sustainability
• Assisting in meeting Vermont’s climate change goal
• Food security, farming, local food production
• Encourage community engagement and stronger sense of connection and belonging
• Increase health and wellness of children and families

Ineligibility

What We Don't Fund:In general, the Fund is not interested in supporting capital campaigns, deficit funding, or expenses that have already been incurred.