VCF: South Lake Champlain Fund Grant

The South Lake Champlain Fund, established by the Vermont Community Foundation, supports initiatives that enhance the environmental health and cultural heritage of the southern Lake Champlain area. This includes educational projects for youth, innovative research, and community engagement efforts. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $7,500, with applications welcomed from tax-exempt organizations in Vermont. The fund encourages projects involving local experts and public dissemination of findings to foster community involvement.

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 South Lake Champlain Fund (originally organized as the South Lake Champlain Trust in 1989) was established to provide support for research and education concerning the southern portion of Lake Champlain. Advised by a committee of three members, the Fund makes annual grants to support these efforts.
The primary goal of the South Lake Champlain Fund (SLCF) is to have a positive environmental impact on the southern portion of Lake Champlain, defined as the area of Lake Champlain south of Crown Point in both Vermont and New York with a preference for projects directly on the lake or in close proximity. It is also a goal of the fund to support projects that involve experts and other people who live in the southern Lake Champlain region.
What does the South Lake Champlain Fund support?
Educational projects which engage young people in learning and loving the cultural heritage, history, and ecology of the southern portion of Lake Champlain
Innovative research projects focused on the cultural heritage and environmental health of the southern portion of Lake Champlain
Educational or research projects which directly impact the communities around the southern portion of Lake Champlain and/or use the expertise of local experts including scientists, educators, and environmentalists
Expenses related to time, equipment, hardware and software, travel expenses, publication and/or implementation of research findings, and dissemination of findings for projects as above
All findings and results of funded projects should be made public and shared with any organizations that share concern or interest in Lake Champlain. Projects with a volunteering element are encouraged.
What size are the grants?
The fund anticipates awarding five to nine grants a year—one to three grants will range from $5,000 to $7,500 and the remaining grants will range from $1,000 to $3,000. Matching funds are encouraged, but not required. The committee may award partial grants so please take that into consideration when planning your project budget.

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. Projects with a volunteering element are encouraged.

Ineligibility

What we do not fund:Projects duplicating lake studies in other areasProjects or publications focusing primarily on the northern part of Lake ChamplainPublications of findings funded originally by other organizationsLobbying or advocacy workImplementation or follow through which are traditionally funded through government or free enterprise