KT Grant Program

The purpose of the KT Mini-Grant program is to provide funding for projects that will advance the mission of Kingdom Trails while expressing our gratitude to the communities that host us. 

Kingdom Trails believes our Mini-Grant program will help highlight and advance valuable local endeavors that focus on projects that promote one or more of the following KT objectives:

• Recreation, Health & Wellness

• Education & Training

• Environmental Stewardship

• Economic Viability

• Heritage & Culture

• Creative Arts

The KT Mini-Grant program will award funds to projects in Burke, East Haven, Kirby, and Lyndonville that further our mission, increase the capabilities and capacity of other local organizations and groups, focus on developing a sustainable economy, as well as aim to improve the quality of life for people in our community, while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Kingdom Trails believes our KT Mini-Grant program will help highlight and advance valuable local endeavors that promote Recreation, Health & Wellness, Education & Training, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Viability, Heritage & Culture, and Creative Arts.

The KT Mini-Grant program will award funds to projects that benefit the communities of Burke, East Haven, Kirby, and Lyndonville, the towns where Kingdom Trails currently exists. Funds will further Kingdom Trail’s mission, increase the capabilities and capacity of other local organizations and groups, focus on developing a sustainable economy and improve the quality of life for people in these communities.

• Must benefit the communities of Lyndonville, Burke, Kirby, or East Haven, VT
• Request for funds may not exceed $5,000
• Must provide a local match, either cash or in-kind, equal to 10% of the amount requested. (see attached document on calculating in-kind and cash match)
• May not be used as a means of generating profit
• Must comply with all Federal, State, and local laws
• Must advance the mission of the Kingdom Trail Association
• Must promote one or more of the outlined KTA objectives
• Must have at least 1 outcome that can be evaluated.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, schools, governments or collaboratives. Eligible applicants also may include individuals, teachers, or groups (2 or more) of youth or adults who are working on projects in our community and who need resources to move their projects forward. 

Individuals or groups who submit an application must submit the name of an adult, over the age of 25 who will be responsible for the project.

All individuals, groups, or agencies applying for KT Mini-Grants must be applying for a project benefiting the communities of Burke, East Haven, Kirby, or Lyndonville, Vermont.

Joint applications from two different groups that request the exact same funding the a project are strongly discouraged, and joint applications that exceed $5,000 together will be disqualified. (ex. Each group applies for the same project that benefits the same entity for $5,000 each). Joint applications are generally discouraged, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Previous KT Mini-Grant awardees cannot apply for the same project in consecutive years, but are encouraged and welcome to apply for a new project each year. Applications requesting funds for projects previously funded after the gap year will not be given priority.  

The amount of funding available will be announced prior to the opening of each grant cycle and will vary from year to year.

In 2023, $25,000 will be available for KT Mini-Grant funding.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount they need to complete their project, up to that amount. The applicant’s request for funds may not exceed $5,000. Applicants may be awarded full, partial, or no funding.

All requests for funding must be submitted online through email to grants@kingdomtrails.org (paper applications will not be accepted). If you would like to have your grant reviewed for feedback before submission, please submit a draft to grants@kingdomtrails.org up to 2 weeks before the due date. 

Applications are now CLOSED for the 2023 season. 

Due within the year if awarded: 

• Signed Contract. If you don't return a signed contract within 14 days of receiving, you will forefit your grant award. 
• Evaluation Report (6-Month and 12-month)

Applications are now CLOSED for the 2023 season. Check back in 2024! 

KT Mini-Grants will be awarded once a year.

Announcement of the grant opportunity will be distributed through a press release in the Caledonia Record, KT social media, as well as KT notification email to the 4 involved municipalities and area organizations who may also be able to aid in distribution; NVDA, NCIC, NEK Collaborative, Kingdom East School District, Northern Vermont University, DoNorth Coworking, etc.

Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered for funding.

Applicants will be notified of their funding status no later than 2 months following the submission deadline, unless notified of a delay.

All submitted grant requests will be reviewed by the KT Community Collaboration Director to ensure applications are submitted on time, complete, and meet all requirements.

Grant requests will then be read and scored by the KT Mini-Grant Committee. The Committee determines final approval of all grants awarded. The Committee may not be able to fund all qualifying requests. However, all requests which meet the funding guidelines of the KT Mini-Grant program will be given full consideration by the Committee.

The Kingdom Trail Association does not discriminate based on race, religion, sexual preference, physical circumstances or national origin. Applicants must hold similar standards. Grant applications from organizations known to have discriminatory policies will not be considered.

Applicants who receive funding must: 

• Sign and return a grant agreement within two weeks of award notification. If you fail to return a signed grant agreement within two weeks, you will forfit your award. 
• Complete and submit Evaluation Report within one year of being awarded
• Express thanks to the Kingdom Trail Association in a public manner; i.e. press release, project promotion material, social media post, signage, etc.
• Grant funds must be used within 1 year of being awarded. If funds have not been utilized within the year, there will be no extension. If project is not implemented within a year of being awarded, funds will not be distributed.

• Wednesday, July 26th 2023: Mini-Grant application opens
• Thursday, Sept. 14th, 2023: Last day to submit draft Mini-Grant to Lukas (lukas@kingdomtrails.org) for review and comment
• Thursday, Sept. 28th, 2023: Mini-Grant application closes, due back by 9pm to grants@kingdomtrails.org 
• Friday, Sept. 29th, 2023: Submitted applications sent to the KT Mini-Grant Committee for review and scoring. Committee will review in October. 
• Early November 2023: Awarded applications notified.

Any and all questions should be directed to grants@kingdomtrails.org.