Vermont Children's Trust Foundation - Program Grants

The Vermont Children's Trust Foundation offers program grants aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency, truancy, and substance abuse among children aged 0-18. These grants support community-based initiatives that promote positive family functioning, enhance societal support, and address protective factors for at-risk youth. Organizations can apply for one-year grants up to $12,000 or three-year grants up to $15,000 annually, fostering sustainable programming to benefit Vermont's families and children.

Vermont Children's Trust Fund Grants
The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation Grants are for primary prevention programs, serving children ages 0-18. These programs strive to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance abuse, child abuse and other socially destructive behaviors before intervention by authorities, through strength-based activities in a community-based setting. These programs:
Affirm and promote positive family functioning;Work to positively impact societal forces that affect parents, children and youth;Strive for coordinated and effective youth services, including service to at-risk youth;Promote racial equity and reduction of race disparities.
State Outcomes and Protective Factors for Proposals
VCTF funding will support proposals that address one of the following State Outcomes:

• Vermont’s families are safe, nurturing, stable, and supported.Vermont’s children and young people achieve their potential.

In addition to the State Outcomes, applicants should incorporate one or more of the following Strengthening Family Protective Factors or Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors in their grant application:
Parental ResilienceYouth ResilienceSocial ConnectionsKnowledge of Parenting and Child DevelopmentKnowledge of Adolescent DevelopmentConcrete Support in Times of NeedCognitive, Social and Emotional Competence of Children
The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation Grants are for primary prevention programs, serving children ages 0-18. These programs strive to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance abuse, child abuse and other socially destructive behaviors before intervention by authorities, through strength-based activities in a community-based setting.
These programs:
Affirm and promote positive family functioning;Work to positively impact societal forces that affect parents, children and youth;Strive for coordinated and effective youth services, including service to at-risk youth;Promote racial equity and reduction of race disparities.
VCTF funding will support proposals that address one of the following State Outcomes:

• Vermont’s families are safe, nurturing, stable, and supported.Vermont’s children and young people achieve their potential.

In addition to the State Outcomes, applicants should incorporate one or more of the following Strengthening Family Protective Factors or Youth Thrive Protective and Promotive Factors in their grant application:
Parental ResilienceYouth ResilienceSocial ConnectionsKnowledge of Parenting and Child DevelopmentKnowledge of Adolescent DevelopmentConcrete Support in Times of NeedCognitive, Social and Emotional Competence of Children
Types of VCTF Program Grants:

• One Year Program Grants

These grants are available to support the planning and implementation of new prevention programs in planning or assessment to determine if the community wishes to explore a program in the future. Think pilot program. If successful, organizations may later apply for a three year grant to sustain programming. These grants are up to $12,000.
Three Year Program Grants
These grants are up to $15,000 for the first year, with a possibility for continued funding for up to two (2) additional years. These grants are provided to organizations that have conceptualized a program idea and have confidence in their ability to create and sustain the program into the future. The amount of funding provided in years two and three of these grants will be reduced by approximately 15% each year as it is expected that the organization will obtain funding from additional sources as the program expands. For example - if you are awarded $12,000 in your first year, your second year will be reduced by 15% ($1,800) to $10,200 and year three will be $8,670.
Please note: If you apply for a three year grant for a pilot program, VCTF may decide to fund for one year at a maxmum of $12,000 and ask that you reapply for a three year grant during the next grant cycle.

Eligibility

Demonstrate how the program will use the award to reduce the likelihood of juvenile delinquency, truancy, substance misuse, child abuse and other harmful behavior before the intervention by authorities.VCTF only funds private non-profits, schools, and public entities (town government, ie: rec departments, libraries, etc.) Participation in programs is voluntary, open to the general public with activities that will help reduce the likelihood of child abuse, substance use, domestic violence, school truancy, school dropouts, teen pregnancy and other high-risk behaviors. Applicants must be in good standing with respect to, or in full compliance with, all taxes due the State of Vermont.All regulated child care programs must be in good regulatory standing with the Child Development Division in order to receive funding.

Ineligibility

VCTF will not fund organizations that discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and service on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.VCTF does not fund individuals or for-profit organizations.Programs cannot be targeted exclusively to a group that has come to the attention of authorities.Participation cannot be mandated by authorities.VCTF does not fund construction projects.If your organization is currently receiving VCTF grant funds for a program, you may not apply for another grant for that program until the end of the existing grant (even if you plan to expand or enhance that program). You may, however, apply for a different program.PLEASE NOTE: If your organization is currently receiving funds for a three year grant for any program, you are ineligible to apply for another program grant while the grant term is pending.