Opportunity Overview
The Samara Fund, administered by the Vermont Community Foundation, supports 2SLGBTQIA+ led projects and organizations in Vermont. The main 2026 competitive application window closed on April 7, 2026, but the Fund continues to accept qualifying emergent needs and sponsorship requests on a rolling basis. The Foundation’s 2026 announcement states that emergent and sponsorship funding is available year round as long as funds remain.
Funding
Samara Fund grants are available up to $5,000. The current controlling pages do not publish a total remaining 2026 pool, a mandatory match or cost share percentage, or a separate minimum request amount for rolling emergent or sponsorship requests.
Priority Areas
The Fund prioritizes queer and trans leadership, BIPOC and trans Vermonters, elders and youth, people with disabilities, work outside Chittenden County, smaller budget projects, longer term work, and harm reduction efforts including HIV/AIDS prevention and advocacy. Funding types include general organizational support, project support, emergent unplanned organizational needs, sponsorship of queer events, and scholarships.
Who Can Apply
Vermont Community Foundation general applicant guidance states that grants must be paid to a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a qualifying public entity such as a town, public school, or state agency. Other eligible groups may apply using an eligible fiscal sponsor. Samara proposals must align with the Fund’s purpose of supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Vermont.
Deadline and Application Process
There is no fixed closing date, closing time, or time zone published for the rolling emergent and sponsorship pathway. Funding is available year round as long as funds last. Applications are submitted electronically through the Vermont Community Foundation Online Grants Manager.
The live 2026 portal controls current application fields and attachments. The Samara page links a sample application labeled 2024; that sample can help applicants understand the general structure but should not be treated as controlling current requirements without confirming the live portal.
N9+ and QC Healthcare Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 67/100. This is a legitimate Vermont community health and youth opportunity with a year round rolling pathway for qualifying emergent needs and sponsorships, but the modest award ceiling and applicant specific emergency or event context limit broad outreach.
N9+ Fit: 5/100. The Fund expressly recognizes harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and advocacy, but the current guidance does not establish clinical technology, remote physical examination, telehealth equipment, or similar device costs as an allowable use. Atlas should not force a Nonagon N9+ device and platform role.
QC Healthcare Fit: 10/100. A limited health related service role could be possible only within a qualifying applicant led project and confirmed funder allowability. No direct QC Healthcare vendor pathway is established.
Direct Vendor Review
Dr. Miltie, LLC is not within the published direct applicant classes. Any legitimate Dr. Miltie or QC Healthcare participation would have to be applicant led, project specific, and permitted by the Fund.
Next Action
Eligible organizations with a genuine emergent need or qualifying event sponsorship request should confirm the current live Online Grants Manager requirements, verify that funding remains available, and submit promptly. Applicant specific outreach should occur only after Atlas verifies an actual eligible organization and a legitimate current need.
Program contact: Elisabeth Marx, emarx@vermontcf.org, 802-388-3355 ext. 241.
Official sources: Vermont Community Foundation – Samara Fund; 2026 Samara Fund announcement; VCF general applicant guidelines.