VCLF's mission is to strengthen Vermont by providing equitable access to capital for affordable housing, community facilities, and small business.

Technical Assistance Grants

We are not accepting applications for technical assistance grants at this time. Please check back for information on the availability of grant funds.

Funded by a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) from the USDA Rural Development, the Vermont Community Loan Fund offers modest grant awards to provide in-depth technical assistance at a level beyond what VCLF normally provides its borrowers.

Who is eligible to apply:

Rural Vermont emerging and established small and micro for-profit businesses or cooperatives seeking to develop a new technology, product, or market.

What the funds may be used for:

All projects must utilize independent consultants for the scope of work to be provided. Projects must be aimed at solving a marketing or manufacturing problem or developing a new technology, product, or market.

Feasibility Studies
Marketing Plans
Business Plans
Counseling & Training
Internet Based Marketing
On-site Technical Assistance

Maximum amount:

Each grant award will not exceed $7,000

Basic Eligibility:

Applying entity must employ 50 or fewer workers and have gross revenues of less than $1 million.
Business must be primarily owned by U.S. citizens.
The project must help solve a marketing or manufacturing problem or develop a new technology, products or market.
Businesses located throughout rural Vermont however, priority will be given to projects located in Caledonia , Essex and Orleans counties.
Grantee must be able to provide at least a 25% contribution to the project.

How to apply:

Requests for funding should consist of a narrative providing an overview of the business, project, expected outcomes, a timetable for the project, and an estimate of costs for the project with the source of matching funds indicated.

Send requests to Sam Buckley, Vermont Community Loan Fund, P.O. Box 827 , Montpelier , VT 05601 or sam@vclf.org

VCLF is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Lender. Complaints of discrimination may be filed with the USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9410 .