VCF: Kelsey Trust - Winter Cycle Grants

VCF: Kelsey Trust - Winter Cycle Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Vermont Community Foundation
Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000
Last Updated: October 17, 2025

Summary

The Kelsey Trust, established in 1988, collaborates with the Vermont Community Foundation to provide grants focused on supporting children, families, and basic human needs in the Lake Champlain Basin. With a yearly budget of approximately $200,000, grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000. Organizations serving the local community must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or represented by a fiscal sponsor. The Trust emphasizes non-discrimination and prioritizes local organizations.

Overview

About the Vermont Community Foundation The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as a permanent source of support for the state. We are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. We provide the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make your giving easy and inspiring. Together, our funds and programs put more than $60 million a year to work in Vermont and beyond, through grants and investments. Our Mission Better Together: Inspiring giving and bringing together people and resources to make a difference in Vermont. Kelsey Trust 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. Winter Grants – Typically focused on children and families, basic human needs (food, fuel, shelter), and health. Grant Size In its current fiscal year, the Trust’s grants budget will be roughly $200,000, some of which may have been committed in previous years. Because of the Trust’s limited size and the high demand for resources in the Champlain Basin, Kelsey Trust grants typically range in size from $5,000 to 10,000.

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

Ineligibility

What We Don't Fund:The Trust does not make grants to endowment campaigns, to individuals, for sectarian religious purposes, or where the Trust may become a predominant source of support.