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Application window is July 28 – September 8, 2026; grant term runs October 2026 through October 2027.
Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth is sponsored by Vermont Community Foundation. This fund awards grants for creative and effective initiatives that empower and support teenagers (6th through 12th grades, typically ages 12 to 18) in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford, Vermont. It directly supports youth programs and is highly relevant for a youth philanthropy student club in the specified region.
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Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth - Vermont Community Foundation Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth is a permanently endowed fund that makes annual grant awards to support organizations offering dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford.
Give to This Fund Grant Application Guidelines participants in the Bennington Free Library Check It Out Chess program When young people in a community thrive, they make their communities more vibrant. The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth helps youth thrive – to become engaged, empowered, and successful in school, work, community, and life.
In 2024, Vermont Community Foundation staff engaged with Bennington-area youth directly to understand the current needs and interests of youth in the region. This year’s grant priorities come directly from this engagement. You Are Making a Difference Read or Download the Prospectus What does the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth (OFSY) support?
The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth awards grants for creative and effective initiatives that empower and support teenagers in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford.
The Fund supports programs that benefit teenagers entering or enrolled in 6th through 12th grades (typically ages 12 to 18) including students at Mount Anthony Middle or High School and/or those who live in the communities served by those schools. What types of applications will the Fund prioritize in 2026?
In 2026, the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth aims to support spaces, activities, and opportunities for youth to gather, connect, feel a sense of belonging, or participate in or learn a new activity. The four priority areas of the grant program include youth-led or youth-focused events, programs, or projects that: Bring youth together, especially those that introduce a new activity and/or have a low barrier to access.
Examples include: Casual club or extracurricular; Create, maintain, or expand spaces or places that allow youth to gather, connect, and share experiences in formal and informal ways; Provide opportunity and access for youth facing hardships; Encourage feelings of belonging and increase inclusion. The fund will consider both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $10,000) grant requests, and will only award up to one large grant each year.
Applicants who apply for and are not awarded a large grant will still be considered for a small grant. The fund welcomes proposals for up to $10,000 for a capital project, a new program, or a large program or capital expansion that fits within the guidelines above. Who is eligible to apply?
First time applicants are encouraged to apply. Please be in touch if you have any questions or need help with the application. Grassroots organizations and community groups are encouraged to apply.
Nonprofit organizations or community groups that do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization, school, or municipality acts as a fiscal sponsor. An organization serving as fiscal sponsor for an Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth applicant or grantee does remain eligible to submit their own application for a different project.
All applicants to programs at the Vermont Community Foundation must meet the guidelines outlined in the General Applicant Guidelines and Requirements found on our For Nonprofits page. What size are the grants? The fund will consider both small ($500-$5,000) and large (up to $10,000) grant requests, and will only award up to one large grant each year.
Applicants who apply for and are not awarded a large grant will still be considered for a small grant. The fund welcomes proposals for up to $10,000 for a capital project, a new program, or a large program or capital expansion that fits within the guidelines above. What is the grant term timeline?
Grant activities must take place between October 2026 and October 2027 to be eligible for funding. Deadline and Notification Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth 2026 Deadline: Applications will be accepted between July 28 – September 8, 2026. Applications must be received by 5PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in order to be considered.
We anticipate notifying applicants of grant decisions in October 2026 . Grant funds cannot cover activities that have already taken place; please keep the notification timeline and grant term in mind as you prepare your application. Grants can be used to cover activities beginning in October 2026 and extending through October 2027.
Notifications on approved and denied applications will be made by email to the email address used to submit the application. Notification timelines are approximate. If you have not received an email, you can check your organization’s email history in your Online Grants Manager account.
All applications must be submitted electronically. Visit the Resources for Grantseekers section on our For Nonprofits page to learn how and to register for a new account. Or, access your existing account .
You can view a PDF sample of the application here . To view and begin working on the application, login to the Online Grants Manager (OGM). With questions about the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth and its grant program, please contact the Community Impact team.
Email: grants@vermontcf. org Phone: 802-388-3355 opt. 6 With questions about the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth and its grant program, please contact the Community Impact team.
Email: grants@vermontcf. org Phone: 802-388-3355 opt. 6 No gifts to the Vermont Community Foundation shall directly or indirectly subject the Vermont Community Foundation to a prohibited material restriction as defined by federal law.
All gifts are subject to a federally required amendment or variance power that permits the Vermont Community Foundation to vary from the terms and conditions of agreements with donors relative to the purpose, investment, and management of its funds subject to the procedural requirements of Vermont state law. In practice, the Foundation uses this variance power rarely and only if the needs of the community have shifted.
The Foundation will be in communication with donors should such a shift occur.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Organizations offering dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford, Vermont, that benefit teenagers entering or enrolled in 6th through 12th grades. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth is funded by Vermont Community Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Vermont. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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