Financial Resources
Learn more about local, state, and federal grants and loan programs available to businesses below.
Grants
Vermont Community Foundation Nonprofit Grants
Generally, the Foundation's grant rounds are oriented towards place-based and community-level work. We have many grants that are specific to a topic and a region, which are made possible by our relationships with generous donor partners.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Funding through reimbursements for businesses seeking to diversify and expand into international markets through trade shows, trade missions, market research, e-commerce, and export education.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Funding through solicitations to encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal research and research and development in partnership with research institutions. In Vermont SBIR funding can be matched by Elevate Vermont.
Loans
City of Burlington Revolving Loan Programs
The City manages two no-interest revolving loan programs both aimed at supporting locally-owned businesses and industries that were impacted or disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on BIPOC, women-owned, and other underserved businesses. To learn more and apply, visit the Revolving Loan Programs site.
Community Capital of Vermont
CCV offers flexible business financing for Vermont's small businesses inclusive of no-cost business advising.
Learn more about CCV's financing
Vermont Community Loan Fund
VCLF is an alternative community-focused lender that provides loans to local businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, early care and learning providers, and developers of affordable housing who wouldn't qualify for a loan from a traditional lender. Some of their loan programs include the following:
- The Justice Forward Fund provides low interest loans for Vermonters traditionally and generally excluded from conventional financing markets and services.
- SPROUT provides financing for start-ups and early-stage working lands entrepreneurs.
- The Food, Farm, and Forests Fund provides flexible financing for farmers, food producers, and natural resource entrepreneurs.
Vermont Economic Development Authority
VEDA provides customized, low-interest financing solutions for start-ups and expanding businesses. Loan amounts go up to $500,000 for small businesses working in manufacturing, processing, warehousing, R&D, travel & tourism, IT, energy generation, and retail and service. Currently VEDA still has some funds available in their Short Term Forgivable Loan Program which focuses on providing assistance to businesses that continue to experience current and on-going economic harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic.