Grants

Please read the Equipment and Emergency Equipment Grant guidelines below, then login or register at the bottom of the page to begin any VCTF application.

AWARDS SHALL NOT EXCEED $2,000. 

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

Application Timeline

VCTF Equipment Grants will be awarded four times per year.

• Applications submitted by January 31st will be awarded in February.
• Applications submitted by April 30th will be awarded in May.
• Applications submitted by July 31st will be awarded in August.
• Applications submitted by October 31st will be awarded in November.

Eligibility Requirements for Equipment Grants

• 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 only funds private non-profits and public entities (town government, schools, etc.)  VCTF does not fund individuals or for-profit organizations.
• VCTF does not fund construction projects.
• Equipment must be transferable. 
• We do not fund trampolines; climbing structures with overhead monkey bars or more than 3 swings per bay; items in which children cannot be seen when in use, i.e., playhouse; baby walkers; tricycles with spokes.
• Applications should not include shipping costs, warranties or taxes.
• Equipment grant applications should be submitted to fund discrete project needs or replacement of vital resources.  Please do not make requests for unrelated general items.
• 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.
• Applicants must be up to date with the filing of all reports for any previous VCTF grants awarded.

Equipment grant recipients must wait until VCTF's next fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th) to apply for another equipment grant.  Emergency requests WILL still be considered.

EMERGENCY GRANTS ARE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS.  EXAMPLES OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Essential equipment loss due to flooding, fire or other natural disaster.
• Essential equipment has broken or been destroyed.
• Essential equipment has been stolen.
• A child is in need of specialized equipment.

In order for your application to be considered:

• The application format must be followed and be complete.
• The purpose of your grant request must match guidelines for VCTF grants.

Completing your application:

• Once registered, you may begin your application. Please save your work often as you progress through the steps. You may pause and save your application at any point and return to your saved application by logging into your application dashboard. Once you finalize and submit your application, you will not be able to edit or add to your application.
• All applications are required to be submitted electronically.  You may prepare answers offline, then copy and paste into the online application. 
• If you are using a fiscal agent, you are required to give us the fiscal agent’s Tax ID information, mailing address and the timing of their fiscal year.
• Attachments will not be accepted after the application has been submitted.

If you are requesting funding for more than one item, please be sure that the total number of items requested does not exceed $2,000.

Reporting requirements:

All requests selected for funding will be responsible for providing VCTF with a final report and equipment receipts within 30 days of funding.

 Program Grants

Our Program Grant Applications open in January.  Please check back in mid-January to apply for a VCTF Program Grant. 

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.

Please note that VCTF will give preference to NEW program ideas, conceived at the local level- we seek innovative solutions to address community needs.  We generally do not provide organizational support.  VCTF does not fund individuals or for-profit organizations.

Please note:  if you applied for a FY2027 Program Grant, all applicants have been informed of their status via email.  Please reach out the Theo Clark at theo@vtchildrenstrust.org if you have not received notification of your application's status.

2026 S. Whitney Landon Award Winners

Family Center of Washington County

Family Center of Washington County's mission is to build resourceful families and healthy children as the foundation of a strong, resilient, and thriving community. As the state-designated Parent Child Center for Central Vermont and a proud member of the Vermont Parent Child Center Network, they are part of a statewide system dedicated to strengthening families, promoting healthy child development, and preventing crisis before it occurs. The Cooking, Nutrition, and Food Access Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to address food insecurity among families with young children by combining direct food access, hands-on education, and individualized support. The program is rooted in the belief that all families deserve not only enough food, but also access to nutritious, culturally appropriate meals and the skills needed to prepare them.

Greensboro Free Library

The Greensboro Free Library supports young children and families through compassionate and interactive workshops for parents and caregivers in addition to providing a fuller library of resources to our community at large. They invite families to participate in these programs and use these resources to strengthen their bonds with their children and gain confidence in their skills in providing effective support and guidance to foster curiosity and a love of learning in their young children.

Middlebury Community Music Center (MCMC)

MCMC's Music Together (MT) is a comprehensive Early Childhood Music enrichment curriculum for ages 0-5 that uses research-based methods to support child development, strengthen parent-child relationships, and develop musical competence and confidence in children. MT offers a comprehensive curriculum with singing/dancing/drumming/basic instrument playing. MT has existed since 1987 and combines decades of neuroscience/child psychology/pedagogic research/experience in the form of its trademarked curriculum and classroom resources. The program’s impact is deep and far reaching and backed by decades of research. 

North Branch Nature Center

This grant will be used across North Branch Nature Center's Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs to deliver top-quality nature-based programming to young children and their families. This includes supporting Forest Preschool (FPS), Robin’s Nest (RN), and ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) in public preschool and Kindergarten classes. 

River Arts

This Turrell Fund Landon Award will be used to expand and strengthen Kinder Arts, River Arts' free early childhood arts initiative serving children ages birth to five and their caregivers throughout Lamoille County. Kinder Arts includes three interconnected programs: Move & Groove, a weekly music and movement class for young children and caregivers; Big & Messy, a hands-on process art program that encourages exploration and sensory learning; and our off-site preschool cultural arts residency program, which brings arts education directly into area preschools.

The Children's Room (Early Education Resource Center)

One of The Children’s Room's most impactful programs is its weekly Music & Movement class, a free drop-in program held in Waterbury, Vermont for young children and their caregivers. Rooted in evidence-informed early childhood practices, the program serves as both an enriching developmental experience and a proactive approach to emotional wellness during the critical years of development. Through shared musical experiences, the program strengthens caregiver-child attachment, fosters resilience, and builds meaningful community connection.

The Mentor Connector

The Stable Beginnings Initiative is designed to improve stability and well-being for both parenting youth and their young children experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Rutland County. Through this initiative, participating families will gain increased access to safe and stable living environments, essential infant and toddler supplies, supportive adult relationships, and community-based resources that strengthen long term family stability.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:  For questions about grant applications please contact theo@vtchildrenstrust.org or call 802-951-8604.