Mini-Grants
Each year VREC provides a range of mini-grants to schools for innovative projects that promote youth leadership, place-based education, and foster inclusive practices and community partnership.
Mini-Grant Opportunities for 2025–26
Service Learning Grants (up to $500)
VREC offers grants for service learning projects to take place during the school year. Applications must be submitted by a team of at least three students, one school staff member, and one community partner. Projects such as (but not limited to) community gardens, local food shelf support, senior meals, or Green-Up Day activities that take place within a school community are all eligible. This is a rolling application process until all funds are allocated.
Student-Led, Place-Based Learning Grants (up to $1,500)
VREC encourages classrooms or student groups of all levels to participate in our student led, place-based learning mini grant process. This process fosters student voice through the development of the applications, pitching the ideas, and giving and receiving peer feedback. Students engage in direct hands-on implementation of projects and then present their completed project at the annual VREC Celebration of Learning in May. Students learn many transferable skills throughout the process and make meaningful contributions to their school community.
Inclusive Schools Grants (up to $750-$1,000)
VREC will provide grants to schools in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) practices. Grants of $750 are available for single classrooms and grants of $1000 are available for school-wide activities. Schools can use these grants to support performers, artists in residence, guest speakers, culturally responsive libraries or classroom collections, or training for student groups or staff that foster D.E.I. awareness and best practices. This is a rolling application process until funds are all allocated.
View Student-Led, Place-Based MINI-GRANT Proposal Guidelines
Student-Led, Place-Based Mini-Grant Timeline 2026-27:
By September 25:
Notify VREC Director John Castle of your intent to submit a grant by emailing VRECDirector@gmail.com.Week of October 19:
Virtually pitch your grant proposal to teams from other schools and a pitch panel.
Participants will also provide feedback on other schools’ proposals.
Set dates and times will be offered for schools to choose from.By November 6:
Revise and complete your grant proposal based on feedback and submit it.By November 14:
Each school team will provide feedback on two other grant proposals.By November 13:
School teams will be notified if they have been awarded a grant.
Teams not selected may receive additional feedback and a new submission deadline.December:
Grant checks will be distributed to schools.November–May:
School teams will implement their projects.Late May:
Teams will attend and present their work at the VREC Celebration of Learning.
The team from Charleston Elementary School enjoy a hearty lunch provided by the Sterling kitchen staff.
Cornhole was a big hit!
VREC Mini-Grant Celebration of Learning 2025
Over 70 students and staff from seven schools came together at Sterling College on May 27, 2025 for the annual VREC Celebration of Learning. Students presented their student-led, place-based learning mini-grant projects from this past year. These presentations were the culmination of our mini-grant process that starts in the fall with students pitching grant proposals to a group of their peers and a VREC panel. Students then write and submit their final grants. Awards of $1500 are provided for a wide range of projects. This year, we had several schools address accessibility for outdoor classrooms, nature trails and recreation.
Glover School students present at the Annual Celebration of Learning.
Students enjoy visiting the animals on the Sterling College campus.
Students enjoy kickball on the Craftsbury Common.
