The Tarrant Foundation provides between 50 to 70 competitive grants annually, focusing its efforts exclusively on organizations based in Vermont. These grants are aimed at addressing the needs of specific populations, such as youth, working-age adults, seniors, and local communities. The foundation believes that concentrating resources in Vermont allows them to have a more meaningful impact, and as a result, applications from outside the state are not accepted.

The foundation’s primary areas of interest are youth, working-age adults, seniors, and community initiatives. For youth, the focus is on fostering resilience and aspiration through programs that help school-age children develop essential skills and resources for adulthood. This includes addressing the achievement gap, job readiness, mentoring, financial literacy, out-of-school time activities, and providing support through emergency housing and addiction recovery. For working-age adults, the foundation supports efforts that help individuals achieve financial independence and reduce reliance on public assistance. This includes job training, homelessness prevention, and addiction recovery programs. For seniors, the foundation seeks to ensure comfort and dignity in aging by supporting independent living, nutrition, and activities that promote wellbeing. Additionally, the foundation makes small grants available to support local Vermont communities in maintaining vital resources and services, particularly those with strong local backing.

When evaluating proposals, the Tarrant Foundation looks for organizations that have a thorough understanding of community needs and have demonstrated success in their strategies. They emphasize strong leadership, an entrepreneurial approach, operational efficiency, and a clear focus on outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to show that they have diverse funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability, and proposals for both general operating funds and program-specific requests are accepted, provided the organization operates within the foundation’s target areas.

The foundation does have several areas it does not fund. These include multi-year grants, environmental, arts, or medical health programs, school-based activities, individual scholarships, endowments, events, or fundraising efforts. Additionally, it does not support organizations that engage in political advocacy or re-grant funds.

Eligible applicants must be IRS-approved charitable entities, which can include 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, schools, and religious organizations. Organizations unsure of their eligibility are encouraged to reach out to the foundation for clarification before submitting a proposal.

This grant opportunity is particularly well-suited for Vermont-based nonprofits working in the areas of youth development, economic independence for working adults, senior care, or local community enhancement. Proposals should clearly demonstrate a strong track record of effectiveness and a commitment to maximizing the impact of the foundation's investment.