Windham Foundation Grants Program

The Windham Foundation Grants Program offers financial support to organizations enhancing the quality of life in Vermont. Grants, averaging $2,500 to $5,000, focus on agriculture, arts, community development, and wellness initiatives. Eligible applicants include non-profits and public entities located in Vermont, with a preference for collaborative projects. The Foundation encourages applications that demonstrate financial stability and a clear impact on community resilience, while limiting funding to no more than 50% of the total project cost.

Background
Through its grant making, the Windham Foundation seeks to support organizations concerned with the needs and quality of life of Vermonters. Those organizations include, but are not limited to, those dealing with:
Agriculture, Food, Land, and the Natural World. Examples include: cultivation of food; food security; food processing and distribution; healthy forests and streams; conservation; climate change adaptation.Arts, Culture, and Education. Examples include: community arts; enhanced learning; mentoring; historic places and preservation.Preserving and Developing Resilient Communities. Examples include: economic development; workforce development; job readinessHealthy and Vibrant Communities. Examples include: wellness; housing; outdoor activities; health access; senior programs
In making decisions, the Foundation will look at an organization's competence in the proposal area and its track record, the stability of its financial base and fundraising strategies, the strength of its leadership and the long-term viability of the program in question.
Approximately $65,000 in grants will be awarded each quarter.An organization should apply for no more than three consecutive years of funding. After three years, the organization should take at least one year off.Grant amounts rarely exceed $10,000 with an average of $2,500-$5,000Project collaboration with other non-profit organizations, where applicable, is strongly encouraged.A project budget, financial statement, and list of funding or anticipated funding of $1000 or more is required.The Windham Foundation reserves the right to request a recent audit of a grantee organization.Grant recipients of $5,000 or more will be expected to report back to The Windham Foundation on the success of project implementation.
The types of proposals the Foundation funds are wide ranging. They include operational support, special initiatives, capacity building, matching and challenge grants. Support for operations will be considered where it strengthens organizational capacity.

Eligibility

Qualified applicants must be either a private, non-profit organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or a public institution or entity. The organization, or program to be funded, must be located in VermontAn organization may submit only one application during a 12-month period.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not provide support for the following:MunicipalitiesEndowment or Capital campaigns.Sport teams, travel teams, regional meets.Fraternal or religious organizations, including schools with religious affiliation.Individual fellowships or scholarships.Playgrounds, day care facilities and skate parks. (With such programs in virtually every community we find it impossible to choose one over the other. We do consider grants that could result in a benefit to all such centers.)Publications, books, films or surveys.Promotional Events.Affiliates of national organizations focused on particular diseases, or those that provide emergency relief efforts.Although we value the work, we are not able to provide grants to affiliates of national organizations focused on particular diseases or those that provide emergency relief efforts.The Windham Foundation will not fund more than 50% of a project. The applicant should inform The Windham Foundation of confirmed and anticipated funding for the balance of the project.