Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI)

1. Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your pre-application in WebGrants using our Application Guide between November 9 and December 16, 2022.
5. If invited back to full application round, complete your full application between February and April 2023.

Key Dates and Deadlines
- October 28, 2022: Request for Applications (RFA) released (will be linked here on that date)
- November 3, 2022: Applicant webinar with Q&A. View the recording and slides.
- November 9, 2022: Pre-application opens for submission
- December 16, 2022: Pre-application deadline
- Early February 2023: Pre-applicants notified of decisions; selected applicants can submit final application
- Early April 2023: Final application deadline
- Early May 2023: Final round applicants notified of decisions
- May 2023: Grantee documentation due
- June 2023: Estimated project start date

Clare Salerno

Diana Ferguson

WebGrants Technical Assistance

Funding Source: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Vermont Legislative appropriation 

Project types:

- Market development – professionalizing business marketing and/or branding approaches to establish new or expand current markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content&#x2004;developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 

- Research and design focused on business diversification, operations and/or product development 

- Infrastructure improvements that enable scaling up of business operations; including project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs 

- Energy focused projects – efficiency enhancements, including lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment, installation, and/or technical assistance costs 

- Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 




Funding Source: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Vermont Legislative appropriation 
Project types:
- Market development – professionalizing business marketing and/or branding approaches to establish new or expand current markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 
- Research and design focused on business diversification, operations and/or product development 
- Infrastructure improvements that enable scaling up of business operations; including project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs 
- Energy focused projects – efficiency enhancements, including lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment, installation, and/or technical assistance costs 
- Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 


- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State.
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont.
- Businesses must have been operational prior to January 2020.
- Only primary producers of farm or forest products are eligible to apply for the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant. Examples of eligible primary production activities are farming, livestock rearing, sugaring, dairy, and logging.
- While typically the forest industry includes sawmills and other primary wood manufacturing as primary production, from the forest sector only businesses involved in harvesting timber are eligible for this grant because of federal definitions of primary production.
- Primary producers can use grant funds to invest in market development, infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives that advance their usage of primary products they have produced. Grant funds can be used for investments in processing primary products. 
- Applicants will need to demonstrate how their business experienced a negative economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., experienced an increased operational cost, decreased revenue or gross receipts, increased costs, challenges covering payroll, or other harm that can be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic). Grant funds must be used to support your businesses recover from the economic harm experienced. Additionally, a business that received the Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) must use these grant funds for a different scope of work. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to apply for this grant.
- Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2020 and earlier grantees in those categories are eligible to apply this year.
- Secondary processors/producers or primary producers looking for smaller dollar amount grants should apply for the Business Enhancement Grant, due October 28.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Request for Applications (RFA)
- WebGrants Application Guide

Events

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Trade Relief

Trials

Irrigation

Wetland Conservation

Waterway Protection

Water Quality

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Biofuel

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Certified Organic

Legal & Finance

Marketing

Equipment

Facilities

Alternative Energy

Labor

Transition

Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has received from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.

1. Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. 
3. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
4. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
5. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide between September 23 and October 28, 2022.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- September 9, 2022: Request for Applications (RFA) released
- September 15, 2022: Applicant webinar with Q&A from 12-1pm. Watch the recording here and view the slides here.  
- September 23, 2022: Application opens for submission
- October 28, 2022: Application deadline
- Early January 2023: Applicants notified of funding decisions
- Late January 2023: Grantee documentation due
- February 2023: Estimated project start date

Formerly called Standard Business Grants.

Capital projects are a high priority for businesses and the rising costs of materials and labor has affected businesses. The Business Enhancement grant funds the same eligible projects as the former Standard Business grant, but with a higher maximum allowable award to account for inflation and rising costs.

- Award amounts $20,000 - $35,000: **\*New funding range, was previously $10,000-25,000\***

Project types:

    - Market development

    - Research and development

    - Infrastructure development

    - Energy focused projects

    - Workforce training and development



Formerly called Standard Business Grants.
Capital projects are a high priority for businesses and the rising costs of materials and labor has affected businesses. The Business Enhancement grant funds the same eligible projects as the former Standard Business grant, but with a higher maximum allowable award to account for inflation and rising costs.
- Award amounts $20,000 - $35,000: *New funding range, was previously $10,000-25,000*
Project types:
    - Market development
    - Research and development
    - Infrastructure development
    - Energy focused projects
    - Workforce training and development

- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2023. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2020 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.
- Primary producers looking for larger dollar amount grants may also be eligible to apply for the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant

- Request for Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Application Guide

1. Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. The applicant webinar is also available to view for an overview of the application process.  
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide

Vermont-based nonprofit producer&#x2004;association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply for grant funding for projects in the following domains:

- Market development, marketing plans, and sales

    - Ability to identify appropriate markets, brand and sell products, value proposition, product differentiation, market research, including research and design;

- Leadership and organizational development: business structure, business technical assistance, onboarding and/or transitions for new executive directors and post succession;

- Governance: Board training and capacity, building/refreshing by-laws, committee work, strategic planning process activities

- Business research and development; business and financial planning



Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply for grant funding for projects in the following domains:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales
    - Ability to identify appropriate markets, brand and sell products, value proposition, product differentiation, market research, including research and design;
- Leadership and organizational development: business structure, business technical assistance, onboarding and/or transitions for new executive directors and post succession;
- Governance: Board training and capacity, building/refreshing by-laws, committee work, strategic planning process activities
- Business research and development; business and financial planning

- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State
- All organizational structures are eligible:
    - Sole proprietorships
    - Partnerships
    - Limited Liability Corporations
    - Cooperatives
    - Non-profits involved in the support of the production of agriculture and/or forest products
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont
- Previous recipients of Working Lands Business Grants under $20,000 are eligible to re-apply this year. Previous recipients of Business Grants $20,000 and above are eligible to re-apply three years after receiving their previous grant.

- Request for Applications
- WebGrants
- FAQ 
- Webinar 
- Application Guide


1. Review the full FY 2023 WLEI Service Provider Grant Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. The applicant webinar is also available to view for an overview of the application process.  
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using the Application Guide

Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support, which may cover topic(s) such as:

- Market development, marketing plans, and sales;

- Business and&#x2004;financial planning;

- Business responses to COVID-19;

- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post succession;

- Access to capital;

- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow;

- Business research and development

- Workforce development, professional engagement training;

- Import substitution, assistance to businesses emphasizing or exploring Vermont production to fill in or address gaps (packaging, ingredients, etc.) along forest and agriculture supply chains.

For further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, please see the [Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Service Provider Educational Paper](https://workinglands.vermont.gov/sites/workinglands/files/documents/Working%20Lands%20Enterprise%20Initiative_Service%20Provider_EducationPaper_2019_.pdf).



Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support, which may cover topic(s) such as:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales;
- Business and financial planning;
- Business responses to COVID-19;
- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post succession;
- Access to capital;
- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow;
- Business research and development
- Workforce development, professional engagement training;
- Import substitution, assistance to businesses emphasizing or exploring Vermont production to fill in or address gaps (packaging, ingredients, etc.) along forest and agriculture supply chains.
For further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, please see the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Service Provider Educational Paper.

Service provider organizations must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State at the time of application submission. All structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs, B Corporations, and/or non-profits that are involved in the support of production of agriculture and/or forest products). Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e., water quality, taxes, child support) and in good standing with the State of Vermont at the time of applying and must remain so during the entire grant period.
Previous recipients of Working Lands Service Provider Grants are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2023. Previous grantees who are applying again must explain how this project builds on previous work or is a separate project, as well as report on the results of previously funded projects and 4 demonstrate how continued funding will be used to grow or improve the program. Services must be provided to a new cohort of businesses for each funding period. For optional further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Board, please see WLEI's educational paper on this topic.

- FY 2023 WLEI Service Provider Grant Request for Applications 
- WebGrants 
- FAQ 
- Applicant Webinar 
- Application Guide


Disaster Relief

Trees

Wildfire

Weather

Coronavirus

Fencing

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Business Plan

Succession

Hurricane

Tornado

Flood

Drought

Emergency

Kristen Brassard

Melissa Moon

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ [Trade Show Assistance Grants](http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/agriculture/files/doc_library/Trade%20Show%20Assistance%20Grant_Request%20for%20Applications_FY23.pdf) provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont&#x2004;products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.



The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.

Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria are eligible to receive funds through this grant:
1. Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year
2. Business or its headquarters are located within Vermont
3. Business has three or more wholesale accounts
4. Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129

Eligible proposals must assert that:
- Proposed trade show(s) are located outside of Vermont; or if virtual, must target out-of- state buyers.
- Applicant has previously attended trade show no more than 4 times. This grant will fund up to 5 years of attendance at a single trade show.
- The proposed budget demonstrates a minimum of a 1:1 cash match contribution. This grant will reimburse each eligible line item 50%.
- Proposed trade show is in the business to business (wholesale) format. Direct to consumer shows will only be eligible on a case-by-case basis.
- Funding will be used for the following approved expenses:
    - Travel and accommodation expenses
    - Marketing assets and booth design
    - Registration fees (including booth space and educational sessions)
    - Booth fees including furnishings and utilities
    - Shipping/freight
    - Other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.)

List of Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) Funding Opportunities