In 2026, Vermont Foodbank’s Network Relations team has been working to more closely align grant opportunities to the Vermont Foodbank Network’s Guiding Principles:

Centering Neighbors’ Needs

We center the needs, perspectives, and dignity of our neighbors in all we do. We are committed to providing nourishing foods and creating welcoming spaces that foster respect, compassion, and belonging.

Building Resilience for Lasting Impact 

We cultivate resilience and sustainability within our partnerships through open communication and shared values. We believe that resilient organizations are best suited to meet the changing needs of our neighbors, thus providing a lasting foundation for food security throughout the state.

Committed to Self-Improvement 

By embracing learning from both our successes and mistakes, we hold ourselves and our network to a standard of continuous improvement. Through ongoing engagement, shared learning, and mutual accountability, we strive to evolve together to strengthen organizations and partnerships that build greater food security for everyone.

The Catalyst Cohort is a peer-learning program designed to help Network Partners share and receive organizational best practices or systems for greater resiliency. Selected participants will engage in organizational self-assessments, monthly learning sessions, and a final in-person gathering, while receiving $20,000 to implement strategies that increase their organization’s resilience. This year’s application window is expected to take place from mid-February to mid-March. The 2026 Cohort sessions will happen monthly from April-November 2026.

The first step in engaging with the Catalyst Cohort is to complete a brief organizational self-assessment. If the assessment determines a strong fit for this year’s focus, you will receive an email with the full application.

If you'd like to read more about the Catalyst Cohort before completing the organizational self-assessment, please read the Catalyst Cohort FAQ document.

Get started with the organizational self-assessment using our Self Assessment Tool.

Vermont Foodbank is launching an incentives-based grant program to help our network partners put the new Feedback Toolkit into action!

This grant is designed to be a direct companion to the Neighbor Partner Feedback Toolkit: Improving Neighbor Experience. Our goal is to support your efforts in building meaningful feedback systems and to learn alongside you as you implement this vital work.

We are offering two tiers of funding to meet you where you are on your engagement journey. If you are just starting the first simple step with engagement, this grant can support your organization. If you are ready for deep community partnership, like community conversations or creating a neighbor advisory council, this grant can get you there. Further information coming soon!

The Next Step Grant supports Vermont Foodbank Network Partners in taking a focused, manageable step to strengthen their organization through learning and practical application.

Recognizing the realities of limited time and capacity, the grant helps reduce financial barriers to training and emphasizes turning learning into one clear, usable deliverable that strengthens organizational systems.

Partners will be able to access 3 distinct tiers of funding that align with varying levels of project intensity. Projects may focus on areas such as succession planning, financial sustainability, or role clarity. Network Partners may apply multiple times throughout the year. The grant is not intended for ongoing operations, but instead for learning that leads to durable organizational improvement.

More information about how to apply for the Next Step Grant will be coming soon.

Through Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grants, Vermont Foodbank network partners are awarded grant funding to purchase fresh Vermont-grown produce, meat, dairy, eggs, maple syrup, honey, cider, and vinegar directly from local farmers.

Do you have feedback about any of the grants Vermont Foodbank offers? Fill out our anonymous survey that will allow you to share any feedback you might have about our grant making programming.