VCF: Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant

The Vermont Community Foundation offers the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant to support consultant fees for nonprofits aiming to enhance their organizational capacity. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for strategic planning, financial sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Applications are prioritized for organizations with annual budgets under $250,000, and the program is open to tax-exempt entities serving Vermont.

NOTE:
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Decisions are typically made within two months of receiving the application. Applications will not be accepted after 5pm on November 14.
About the Vermont Community Foundation
We are a collective of more than 1,000 funds and foundations, created by Vermonters to fulfill their charitable aspirations.
The Nonprofit Capacity Building grant program supports consultant fees for nonprofit organizational capacity building work.
To do great work, nonprofits and municipalities need clear plans for strategic and financial sustainability. High-level planning takes time and resources, which can be a challenge for many nonprofits on limited or restricted budgets. The Nonprofit Capacity Building grant program supports proposals for planning work that helps build your organization’s capacity.
Grants will be no more than $5,000 each and will support the cost of consultants for the activities described below. These grants are meant to supplement other funding, as we understand that this amount is typically not enough to cover the full cost of providing these services. In the project budget, please show the additional revenue sources to be used for this work, both pending and secured. We welcome the use of these funds as challenge grants to secure the additional funds.
This grant program is for organizations with yearly operating budgets under $1 million. We prioritize applications from organizations with yearly operating budgets under $250,000.
What We Fund
The program will fund activities to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations. Here are some examples of what the program will fund:

• Strategic planning initiatives to clarify mission, goals, and performance measures
• Financial sustainability planning, including diversification of revenue streams, and enhanced fundraising and development skills, plans, or activities
• Merger planning
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion policy development and implementation
• Board and leadership training intended to provide a focused learning opportunity that builds organizational capacity

New for applicants as of February 2025: Organizations may apply if additional financial support is needed in adjusting to challenges caused by changes in federal funding or policies. Grant funding may be used for consultant-led planning for items such as: exploring new staffing models, reevaluating program offerings, and/or revisiting financial sustainability and/or revenue planning.
For projects other than those listed, include details on how this work will support your organization’s ability to execute your mission, why it is important at this time, and clear evidence of Board support.
Please note that grant funds can only be used to cover consultant fees.
Grant Size
Grants of up to $5,000 are typically awarded from this fund.

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.

Ineligibility

What We Don't FundRepeat funding of the same organization or initiative within a 3-year periodBoard recruitment efforts
Startup costs for organizations seeking nonprofit status
Activities that have already taken place or costs already incurred
Consultant costs to support marketing and outreach, web development, communications, construction or other structural design, and/or event planning
Staff training, licensures, and/or (re)certification expenses
Salary and benefits, and/or professional development
Operational capacity building (e.g. training on new software)