Co-op Seedling Grants

What Are Seedling Grants?

Through our Co-op Seedling Grant program, City Market grants funding to projects from Vermont non-profit organizations whose work strengthens our local food system. This program is currently funded through our Rally for Change program.

Six people stand in a row in a white-walled conference room. The two people in the middle are holding a sign that has "Milk With Dignity" printed at the top and "$7,500" printed at the bottom.
A group of people gathered in two rows in a conference room.

Seedling Grant Applications are Open!

Applications are now open for our 2026 Co-op Seedling Grant cycle! Do you work with a non-profit working to strengthen our local food system? Do you have a cool new project that needs a little lift to get off the ground? Consider applying! Grant applications are due by Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m.

Apply by Feb 27

Seedling Grant History

During profitable years, City Market Members receive patronage checks based on their spending as a form of profit-sharing. According to City Market’s By-Laws, any Patronage Refunds that are not cashed within 90 days are donated to organizations supporting our local food system, as directed by our Board. In 2014, City Market created a new program to offer grants through our uncashed Patronage Refund checks – our Seedling Grant Program! Since 2018, this program has been funded through Rally for Change as the Co-op works toward a return to profitability after our South End expansion.

Five people stand in front of a building with sliding doors and a marquee that reads "City Market." There is a red ribbon in front of the people and all along the entrance to the building. The person to the farthest left is talking, and the other four face him. At the far right, several additional people are standing and clappng.

Recent Seedling Grant Recipients

2023: Village Hydroponics, Addison Allies Network, Hardwick Area Food Pantry, Janet S. Munt Family Room, Common Roots, Smokey House Center, Lund, Friends of the Highgate Library and Community Center, the Quarry Hill School

2022: Sterling College, Janet S. Munt Family Room, Fairfield Community Center Association, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Rural Vermont, Spoonful Herbals, Friends of Fletcher Free Library, LUND, and Slow Food Vermont

2021: Community Health Centers of Burlington, Common Roots, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, Milk With Dignity Standards Council, and Age Well

2020: 350 Vermont, ACORN, Barton Community Garden, New Community Project, NOFA-VT, and UVM State Agricultural College