The South Lake Champlain Fund
The South Lake Champlain Fund (originally organized as the South Lake Champlain Trust in 1989) was established to provide support for research and education concerning the southern portion of Lake Champlain. Advised by a committee of three members, the Fund makes annual grants to support these efforts. The Fund may also seek and accept additional gifts to its endowment in order to provide greater funding for projects.
Who May Apply
The Fund seeks to fund innovative projects, including those which may not be suitable for other sources of funding, and does not expect to duplicate those areas funded by free enterprise or government. All findings and results of funded projects should be made public and shared with any organizations that share concern or interest in Lake Champlain.
Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor.
When To Apply
The application deadline is December 1st (postmarked by that date) with decisions to be made by February 28th
Procedure
Download an application
The SLCF’s primary goal is to effect positive environmental impact on the southern portion of Lake Champlain, defined as that area of Lake Champlain south of Crown Point. Research is exceptionally important in achieving this goal, and SLCF recognizes the need to take risks and fund projects with the potential for high impact. It is also a goal of the Fund to support projects that involve experts and other people who live in the southern Lake Champlain region.
The Fund expects to give three to nine grants a year — one to three grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000 and the remaining grants will range from $1,000 to $3,000. Matching funds are encouraged, but not required.
Grants may support time, equipment, hardware and software, travel expenses, publication and/or implementation of findings, and dissemination of findings.
Decisions will be made by the directors of the South Lake Champlain Fund. Advice may be sought from, and applications may be reviewed by, specialists in the fields of application, including scientists, environmentalists, and other individuals.
Any information resulting from the grant studies will be provided to the Fund and the grantees may not claim copyright or other proprietary interest in this information, so as to prevent the Fund from publishing or otherwise disseminating the information.
Five copies of the final report should be sent to the SLCF Board of Directors. A copy of projects will be placed in the public library in Shoreham, Vermont.
The South Lake Champlain Fund customarily will not fund:
- Projects duplicating lake studies in other areas
- Publications focusing primarily on the northern part of Lake Champlain
- Publications of findings funded originally by other organizations
- Basic education costs
- Any lobbying or advocacy work
- Follow through or implementation which could receive funding from another agency
The Fund will not consider applications which are postmarked later than the application deadline, which are incomplete, or which are not, in the view of the Directors, in the best interests of the future of the southern part of Lake Champlain.
Where To Mail Applications:
The South Lake Champlain Fund
c/o The Vermont Community Foundation
P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, Vermont 05753
We're here to help:
If you have any questions, we are always happy to answer them. Please contact:
Ryan Torres
Philanthropic Advisor
rtorres@vermontcf.org
802-388-3355 extension 289
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