Special and Urgent Needs
The Vermont Community Foundation's Special and Urgent Needs grant helps Vermont nonprofits respond quickly to unforeseen emergencies or opportunities affecting essential human services.
Funder: Vermont Community Foundation
Due Dates: February 23, 2026 (applications open) | November 1, 2026 (final submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Grants up to $5,000; project term up to one year.
Summary: Supports Vermont nonprofits facing unforeseen, urgent needs or opportunities impacting their ability to meet basic human needs.
Key Information: Rolling review until funds are exhausted; apply as soon as need is identified.
Description
The Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) grant program from the Vermont Community Foundation provides rapid-response funding to Vermont nonprofits experiencing unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies or opportunities. The program is designed to help organizations address critical short-term needs that, if unmet, would prevent them from fulfilling their mission to serve basic human needs such as social services, food access, housing, and health. Eligible uses include emergency repairs, replacement of vital equipment or technology, acquisition of critical resources, and programming to support staff and volunteer wellbeing during extraordinary circumstances. The program prioritizes applicants with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less.
