Funding Amount

US $5,000 - US $10,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Next expected
June 1, 2027
Tracked since
April 2026

Deadlines each year: June 1 · June 30

From the program guidelines: “The Spring Grants focus on education and environmental projects, with a Letter of Interest deadline of June 1st and grant decisions announced by June 30th.”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Geography

  • Located in the Basin

Required status

  • Tax-exempt status
  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Applicants must not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, color, age, physical handicap, or sexual orientation.

Overview

The Kelsey Trust, established in 1988, supports organizations that benefit the people and protect the environment of the Lake Champlain Basin. With a preference for local initiatives, the Trust collaborates with the Vermont Community Foundation for grantmaking. The Spring Grants focus on education and environmental projects, with a Letter of Interest deadline of June 1st and grant decisions announced by June 30th. Organizations eligible must be tax-exempt or public agencies in Vermont or New York.

The Kelsey Trust is a family foundation established in 1988 by Sally Patrick Johnson to benefit the people and protect the environment of the Lake Champlain Basin. The Trust honors the lives and work of Robert Fleming Patrick and Jonathan Kelsey Woods. Since 1989 the Trust has worked collaboratively with the Vermont Community Foundation, which assists the Trust with its grantmaking.
The Kelsey Trust provides grants to organizations that serve the people and/or protect the environment of the Lake Champlain Basin, with a strong preference for organizations located in the Basin.
What does the Kelsey Trust support?
The Trust’s giving is limited to organizations and projects that serve the people and protect the natural environment of the Lake Champlain Basin. Click here for a map of the Basin.
Typically focused on education and the environment.
Letter of Interest deadline is June 1st. Additional information will be requested if needed.Grant decisions will be made no later than June 30th, with notification following soon thereafter.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?The Trust supports organizations that serve the people and/or protect the environment of the Lake Champlain Basin, with a preference for organizations located in the Basin.Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in either the state of Vermont or New York.Nonprofit organizations or community groups that are not 501(c)(3)s may be eligible if represented by a non-profit fiscal agent.

Ineligibility

Applicants must not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, color, age, physical handicap, or sexual orientation.

What The Vermont Community Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

Grants in 2024
728
Total given
$46.33M
Median grant
$18K
Range
$5,170–$7.95M
  • By dollars: Vermont 89%, New York 3%, Massachusetts 2%. Top recipient cities: Burlington, VT; Montpelier, VT; Middlebury, VT.
  • 54% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 26% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Inc · Burlington, VT

    "into the lake" aquarium & exhibits capital construction fund

    $7.95M

  • Vermont Long-Term Disaster Recovery Group Inc · Montpelier, VT

    To support their work with individuals affected by the flooding in vermont in july of 2023

    $2.05M

  • Pathways Vermont · South Burlington, VT

    Pathways vermont peer respite center pilot project

    $1.31M

  • Vermont Land Trust · Montpelier, VT

    General operating support

    $1.17M

  • Cathedral Square Corporation · South Burlington, VT

    General operating support

    $1.01M

IRS Form 990, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Environmental education
  • Environment
  • Foundation

Categories

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