A. General operating support grants are sometimes referred to as core support or unrestricted grants. The Foundation places no restrictions on the use of these funds though we expect all expenditures to be part of a board-approved annual operating budget. Funds can be used to cover day-to-day expenses such as salaries and utilities or they can be used to cover project costs. The use of these funds is totally at the discretion of the organization's board and/or executive staff. Grants may not be used to pay down debt or for expenses that have already been incurred. VCF general operating support grant dollars should not be used for capital expenses.

A. Funding decisions are made by our program staff, sometimes with the assistance of outside reviewers.

A. Yes. We will continue to share top quality proposals with our fundholders and encourage them to Give Together with us. Each grant round, we offer interested donors a summary of the proposals chosen for funding and invite them to join us in funding those organizations on the list that align with their own philanthropic interests. This is a way for us to leverage more grant dollars and bring them to bear on important issues as well as an opportunity for other donors to learn about the work of organizations in their region and around the state.

A. The vast majority of the Foundation's funds do not accept applications for support, as the grantmaking is either advised by living donors to meet their charitable objectives, or is predetermined by a specific fund purpose. We ask that grantseekers not contact our advised fundholders directly.

A. This refers to an Internal Revenue Service designation code that verifies that an organization is charitable, tax-exempt, and nonprofit. Organizations qualifying under the 501(c)(3) code include religious, educational, charitable, amateur athletic, scientific, or literary groups; organizations testing for public safety and organizations involved in prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The Foundation's due diligence on grant applicants includes verifying 501(c)(3) status.

A. Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) public charities or municipalities should contact a philanthropic advisor before applying to see if they are eligible to receive a grant from the VCF Community Fund. Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations need to use a fiscal sponsor to apply for a Community Fund grant.

A. Our grants must be paid to a 501(c)(3) organization, town or municipality, church, or public school. If your organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, you may be able to use a fiscal sponsor that has a mission supported by your project. Your fiscal sponsor must sign an agreement that you submit with your application to confirm its understanding of the fiscal and programmatic responsibility it accepts when it agrees to be a fiscal sponsor for your organization. Read the fiscal sponsor agreement. If you are awarded a grant by the VCF, the grant check is made payable to the fiscal sponsor. All grant reports are shared with your fiscal sponsor as well as with the Vermont Community Foundation. Some organizations charge a fee to be a fiscal sponsor. The Vermont Community Foundation cannot act as a fiscal sponsor.

A. You no longer need to attach copies of your 501(c)(3) determination letter, your IRS Form 990 or your audited financial statements. In most cases the VCF can access this information through the online service Guidestar. If we are unable to access this information on Guidestar, we may call you to request that you send us the information directly. See the online application for a list of required financial documentation.

A. Community Fund grant rounds now require applications to be submitted online. This requirement supports the Foundation's effort to reduce our carbon footprint and use less paper. If you are unable to use our online system, please contact a philanthropic advisor.

Read Our Online Application Guidelines
Read Our Online Application Technical FAQ

A. Your application will not be accepted if it does not have all of the required attachments uploaded. Double-check your attachments to make sure that you are sending all the required materials. We have included examples of the required financial forms to help guide you. Feel free to be in touch with a philanthropic advisor if you have any questions.

A. You will receive an email from the Foundation confirming that your Community Fund application has been received. The email will include a copy of your application as it was received.

A. No. Out of fairness to all applicants, we review applications only after the deadline has passed. But if you have questions about the grant guidelines on our website, you can certainly call or email us.

A. Yes. You are still eligible to apply for a 2011 Community Fund grant if you receive a grant from any of the Special Topic or Regional grant rounds or if you receive a Special and Urgent Needs grant. We may consider other VCF funding you have received when awarding Community Fund grants.