In Vermont, the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation Is Spending Big to Shut Down in 2040
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Comfort and dignity in aging is one foundation interest. Photo: Ivica Drusany/shutterstock
One funder that Vermont organizations should know is the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation. This Winooski, Vermont-based grantmaker is accessible to nonprofits and one of the most active private foundations in the state. It's a small foundation, but one that grants at nearly triple the rate of many other foundations across the country. That makes sense, since the Tarrant Foundation is on a mission to spend down its resources and close its grantmaking by the year 2040.
Until then, here's what Vermont nonprofits should know about the Tarrant Foundation and its local grantmaking strategy.
Community grants
The Tarrant Foundation is primarily concerned with helping people meet their basic needs and improving education strategies. It is rooted in the for-profit world and applies business principles to its funding to align investments with needs for the greatest potential return on its dollars.
Only about 35% to 45% of Tarrant’s funds are available through an open application process, while the remaining funds are dedicated to strategic initiatives and work through the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education at the University of Vermont. Organizations operating in Vermont to ease hardships and help people overcome barriers to success and independence are still encouraged to contact Tarrant. Past grantees include Age Well in Colchester, Advance VT in Winooski, Friends of Veterans in White River Junction, and the North Central Vermont Recovery Center in Morrisville.
Typical Tarrant grants
This foundation typically awards 50 to 70 competitive grants each year. It concentrates its funding on Vermont and only accepts applications from organizations within the state. Tarrant distributes single-year grants to organizations that exhibit strong leadership, entrepreneurial mindsets, excellent efficiency and that have multiple funding sources.
These are the top funding interests at the Tarrant Foundation:
School-age youth programs that promote positive transitions into adulthood (examples include job readiness, mentoring, financial literacy and community-based addiction recovery)
Employment and financial independence for working-age adults (examples include homelessness prevention, job training and financial literacy)
Comfort and dignity in aging (examples include independent living, activity and nutrition)
Local resources and investments in communities (examples include local resources and services, and programs with proven financial and volunteer support)
Applying for a grant
The application process at the Tarrant Foundation begins with an initial letter of interest. Nonprofits can submit two-page letters describing their budgets, the amount of money needed, their programs and activities, and the reason for their community need. Organizations can submit these letters via mail or email anytime with no deadlines. The foundation typically responds to the letters within two weeks of submission.
From that point, the foundation invites a small number of organizations to submit full applications via mail or email. The staff prefers electronic submissions over hard copies, if possible. Also, the foundation welcomes calls, emails and in-person visits with a call ahead to request a meeting.
You can read more about this funder in IP’s complete profile of the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation, part of our Vermont grantmaking guide.
