Grant Overview
This grant is currently closed for applications but will re-open in late summer/early fall 2024. The information below describes past dates and award amounts, which will likely be similar for future opportunities but are subject to change.
- Award amounts $10,000 - $25,000
- Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply for:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales
- Ability to identify appropriate markets, brand and sell products, value proposition, product differentiation, market research, including research and design;
- Leadership and organizational development: business structure, business technical assistance, onboarding and/or transitions for new executive directors and post succession;
- Governance: Board training and capacity, building/refreshing by-laws, committee work, strategic planning process activities
- Business research and development; business and financial planning
- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has received from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.
Eligibility
- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State. Businesses or organizations headquartered outside of VT may be eligible if the project or service being proposed is 100% focused on Vermont’s working landscape and businesses. Please contact Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov to discuss eligibility for out-of-state applicants.
- All organizational structures are eligible:
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Limited Liability Corporations
- Cooperatives
- Non-profits involved in the support of the production of agriculture and/or forest products
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont
- Producer associations that have previously applied for and/or received funds from a Working Lands Producer Association Grant or Service Provider Grant are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2024. Previous grantees who are applying again must explain how this project builds on previous work or is a separate project, as well as report on the results of previously funded projects and demonstrate how continued funding will be used to grow or improve the program.
How To Apply
- Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
- Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
- Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application.
- Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- September 6, 2023: Request for Applications (RFA) released and application opens for submission
- September 13, 2023: Applicant webinar and Q&A. Watch the recording and view the slides.
- October 16, 2023: Application deadline
- December 2023: Applicants notified of funding decisions
- January 2024: Grantee documentation due
- January 2024: Estimated project start date
Program Contact
Clare Salerno
clare.salerno@vermont.gov
802) 917-2637
WebGrants Technical Assistance
Diana Ferguson
diana.ferguson@vermont.gov
(802) 622-4094