Special and Urgent Needs
Special and Urgent Needs supports Vermont organizations with emergency repairs, essential resources, and staff wellbeing activities to address unexpected needs and preserve or enhance community services.
Funder: Vermont Community Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (while funds remain) | February 23, 2026 (Applications begin) | September 1, 2026 (Funds expected to be limited afterward) | November 1, 2026 (Program closes)
Funding Amounts: Typically up to $5,000; activities must take place within one year of award
Summary: Supports Vermont organizations facing unforeseen, unbudgeted, time-sensitive emergencies or opportunities that preserve or enhance community services.
Key Information: Applicants must serve basic human needs, and projects must be unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive.
Description
The Vermont Community Foundation’s Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) program helps organizations manage unexpected expenses that threaten their ability to fulfill their mission, or seize unanticipated opportunities that significantly enhance their work. It focuses on short-term needs affecting organizations serving basic human needs, including social services, food access, housing, and health-related services.
Supported work includes emergency building or mechanical-system repairs, replacement of essential equipment after sudden failure, and unforeseen services or resources needed to maintain community services. Examples include disaster-related training and temporary staffing during emergency medical leave. SUN also supports staff and volunteer mental health and wellbeing during extraordinary stress or disruption, through activities such as retreats, facilitated dialogue, grief counseling, and therapeutic programming.
