Protect Lake Champlain with Up to $2 Million Grant!

The Lake Champlain Basin Program is offering grants of up to $2 million to help conserve land and improve water quality in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin.

Here's what you need to know:

Goal: Protect water quality, aquatic habitat, and combat climate change by acquiring land or conservation easements.

Funding: Up to $6 million total, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $2 million.

Who can apply: Nonprofits, municipalities, and other eligible organizations.

Eligible costs: Land purchase, conservation easements, title insurance, surveys, appraisals, and community outreach.

Deadline: Proposals due May 1, 2024 at noon.



Plus: Projects that provide public recreation opportunities will be given extra consideration. This grant program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a major investment in clean water infrastructure. Contact Dean Pierce at NRPC with questions about the application process and grant details.

Vermont Community Foundation's Spark Connecting Community Grant Program

Funding is now available for organizations and projects across the State of Vermont through the Spark Connecting Community competitive grant program at the Vermont Community Foundation. Spark supports emerging grassroots projects that nurture community and build social capital - the connective tissue of our communities. Spark values community resilience and strength, increased civic engagement and collaboration among organizations.

The program will accept applications from hyperlocal, place-based projects or statewide/regional projects that support a community of individuals with a shared identity or interest. In 2024, Spark will prioritize place-making initiatives in under-represented counties in grantmaking.

Priority consideration will be given to:

· Applications from Essex, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties

· Applicants with operating budgets of $500,000 or less

Spark awards grants of $500 to $5,000. First-time grant writers are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through 5pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The Spark Connecting Community grant program will offer one competitive grant round in 2024.

New Grant Program Promotes Tree Planting in Communities

NRPC is pleased to announce that the Vermont Community Tree Planting Program is now accepting applications for proposals to plant trees in urban areas across the state that will enhance urban tree canopy, improve water quality, boost public health, and increase equitable access to the many benefits of trees.

Full details, including grant amounts, timelines, and application guidance, are available on the program website. Details also will be covered in an informational webinar taking place next Thursday, April 11 at 9:30am.

There will be two rounds of grants. May 17, 2024 is the first application deadline, the deadline for a second round will be determined later this year. Any eligible applicant (municipalities, schools, and nonprofits) can apply for either or both rounds, but funds will be prioritized for first-time funding recipients.

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission is administering this program on behalf of the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program, but eligibility is statewide, and staff at the NRPC may be able to help your municipality or non-profit apply for and administer grants.

Contact Dean Pierce, Senior Planner for more information.

Municipal Energy Resilience Program Deadline

The Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) mini grants will be closing on May 31, 2024. These are $4,000 grants aimed at capacity building, outreach, or education. While it is a relatively small amount, it is a flexible, simple grant to apply for and use. Linked here is the official MERP mini grant page with detailed information and application available in one place. There are plenty of potential uses, but two that could be particularly helpful to your municipality.

The funding could be used to update your enhanced energy plan or write one for the first time. An enhanced energy plan ensures your municipality has maximum sway at the state level in the siting of renewable energy generation facilities; NRPC is available to assist in the writing of enhanced energy plans. Once your municipality is awarded the grant, funds have a long timeline so there is flexibility in when your plan is updated.

The funding could also be used for hiring or contracting with someone to manage the implementation phase of the MERP grant. This is the funding up to $500,000 municipalities can get to update and weatherize their buildings. Having someone to manage the bid process, overseeing the projects, and grant reporting can be incredibly helpful and reduce capacity strain on existing municipal employees.

Contact Marlena Valenta, Regional Climate and Energy Planner for more information.

Essentials in Municipal Planning, Zoning

and HOME Act Provisions

Thursday, April 11, 2024 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - via Zoom

Vital training for local Planning Commissioners and staff, whether new or seasoned. Also appropriate for other interested local board members and municipal staff. NRPC will cover the process of developing a great municipal plan to guide your community and meet statutory requirements, an overview of how towns can implement a plan with effective zoning regulations, and how to respond to 2023’s HOME Act (Act 47, S.100) provisions relative to local zoning.

Open Meeting Law Training

Monday, April 29, 2024 - 6:00 to 7:30pm - via Zoom

Vermont's open meeting law requires all meetings of public bodies to be open to the public at all times to promote transparency, accountability, and better decision-making in government, unless a specific exception applies. Stay informed on key requirements of the Open Meeting Law currently in effect.

Tips and Tricks for Effective Local Development Review and Decision Making

Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - via Zoom

Vital training for Development Review Board and Zoning Board members and associated staff. NRPC will cover statutory requirements and best practices in conducting effective development review public hearings, deliberations and written decisions.

April Stool's Day

Grab a shovel and join Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative in Taylor Park on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:00 am to scoop the poop for water quality. Gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizer will be provided. Event is rain or shine, so please come prepared for the weather. For more information, please contact Sara Gratz.

Rain Barrel Workshop

On Sunday, April 21, Franklin County Stormwater Collaborative, managed by NRPC, will be joining up with Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and the Taphouse at Mill River to host a workshop on building rain barrels. Registration for the workshop is full but if you’d like to learn more about building a rain barrel, please visit Disconnect Impervious Surfaces | FCSVT.