The Best Business Grants in Vermont
May 14, 2026
Updated:
Securing capital is often the biggest hurdle for any founder. While loans and credit cards are common, they come with the weight of repayment and interest. Grants are the ideal alternative because they generally don't have to be paid back. However, there is a catch: grants are highly competitive and can be very difficult to find. We've built this guide to help you understand the grant landscape in Vermont.
Vermont's grant ecosystem is shaped by the state's distinct economic identity, with the majority of available funding targeting agriculture, farming, and working lands businesses. More than half of Vermont's state-level grant programs support farms, forests, and food production, including emergency relief funds for farmers affected by disasters, water quality infrastructure grants, and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative supporting forest, farm, and food businesses. Beyond agriculture, Vermont runs workforce training programs and performance-based incentives for business expansion and relocation. Award sizes range from $2,000 farmer resilience grants up to $100,000 for working lands projects, with both rolling and fixed deadlines depending on the program.
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is the largest providor of state-level grants, administering the Vermont Training Program, the Elevate Vermont SBIR matching grant, and the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) for business expansion. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture runs the largest share of agricultural programs, while the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) administers two distinct grant programs supporting Vermont farmers. Beyond the state-level programs, local funding is unfortunately more limited, with Rutland's LIFT program among the few city-administered options.
Vermont businesses are also eligible for hundreds of national grant programs from federal agencies, corporations, and foundations. Those programs aren't covered on this page, but you can search our complete grant database to see every state and national grant your business qualifies for. You can also join our free weekly newsletter to get new Vermont grants delivered to your inbox as soon as they open.
VERMONT GRANTS
VT Farmer Resilience Grants
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) offers annual Farmer Resilience Grants to projects that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact in their community. Farmers can earn between $2,000 and $5,000 for their projects.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000
VT Working Lands Grant
VT Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers grants that support forest, farm, and food businesses. Grants also go to producer associations, business assistance provider organizations, and more. The state's annual budget process decides the amount of funds available each year. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) meets each summer to decide which grants to offer for the coming year based on available funds and needs across Vermont.
This is an annual program that opens in September yearly. The program typically awards $10,000 to $100,000 to businesses in Vermont to fund market development, research and development, infrastructure, energy, or workforce development projects.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$100,000
Vermont Employment Growth Incentive
Vermont ACCD
The VEGI program provides performance-based cash incentives to businesses that are expanding in, or relocating to, Vermont. Businesses can earn incentives for creating new qualifying jobs, increasing payroll, and making capital investments that go beyond typical growth. There are no restrictions on business size, type, or minimum number of jobs.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
Vermont Training Program
Vermont ACCD
For over 30 years, the Vermont Training Program (VTP) has partnered with employers of all sizes and training providers to prepare Vermont's employees for the jobs of tomorrow. VTP provides performance-based workforce grants for pre-employment training, training for new hires, and training for incumbent workers. This training can either be on-site or offered through an outside provider. VTP grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost.
The program also works with eligible employers to introduce manufacturers and other regionally significant employers to Vermont students at every level. Employers who provide work-based learning programs or activities developed in partnership with a school or educational program may apply to VTP for a grant to offset the costs of providing these programs. This work supports several different types of training, but the most requested programs are for advanced manufacturing skills like Lean Technology, Computer-Aided Design, and Computer Numerical Control machining. Supervisory and management training are also popular.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$25,000
Elevate Vermont – Matching Grant
Vermont ACCD
Elevate Vermont gives matching grants to Vermont-based companies that have received a Phase I or II award from the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. The maximum grant is $50,000. Companies can use the funds to support market research, develop new sales materials, and offset marketing expenses.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
Rutland LIFT Program
City of Rutland
LIFT was created as a way of utilizing Rutland's enhanced solar tax revenue to support future business investment and job creation. The City holds half of all tax revenue generated from private solar development to fund this incentive program.
The LIFT program offers three different tiers: the $10,000 reimbursable grant for fixed infrastructure/renovations/upgrades, $5,000 grant and the HFCU up to $50,000 secured loan.
The $10,000 LIFT reimbursable grant is for fixed infrastructure renovations or upgrades to buildings within the City. It covers costs up to $10,000, or 50% of the renovation costs, whichever is less. There are also opportunities for $5,000 grants which may be used for more general costs for a City business.
A Revolving Loan Fund program, jointly funded and administered by Heritage Federal Credit Union, is available with secured loans of up to $50,000 available to qualifying businesses. The use of this funding is flexible and interest rates on the loans are below market rate.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$10,000
VT Business Plan Implementation Grants
VT Agency of Agriculture
Vermont’s Farm & Forest Viability Program gives grants to program participants who’ve completed business or transfer plans. The grants range from $1,000 to $8,000 and can be used for business infrastructure construction, equipment, machinery upgrades, and energy efficiency projects.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$8,000
VT Farmer Emergency Fund
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund, established in 1997, supports organic and NOFA-VT member farmers who have been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters.
The NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund is available to assist farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters.
-$2,500 grants are available for commercial farmers who are NOFA-VT members. Applying farmers will need to be NOFA-VT members in good standing for at least one year before being eligible to apply for funds.
-$5,000 grants are available to any farm that is VOF certified organic. Because we want to incentivize organic certification, and because of the commitment involved in getting certified, we will waive the one-year waiting period for certified organic farms.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000
VT Water Quality Grants
VT Agency of Agriculture
Vermont’s Farm & Forest Viability Program gives one-to-one matching grants to eligible Vermont farmers who need capital to invest in infrastructure to improve their farms’ water quality. The maximum grant amount is $50,000; farmers can use the funds to purchase equipment and make renovations and improvements to their infrastructure.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
Don't stop at state-level funding
Most business grants aren't geographic, they're tied to your industry, your stage, or your team. Our database tracks 500+ programs across every category, and our free newsletter delivers new grants to your inbox each week.