The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is seeking proposals to provide funding for the development of new Winter Sports Youth Access Initiatives or improvement of existing Youth Winter Sports Initiatives in Vermont to foster access to sports and fitness activities, especially for youth from communities that historically have not participated in the activity primarily due to lack of access or feeling unwelcome or unsafe. The anticipated grant period will be January 20 through May 31, 2026.
Background & Purpose
The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recognizes the inequity faced by historically marginalized communities navigating racial, physical, social, economic, and systemic barriers to participation in winter physical fitness activities and recreational sports. The Council seeks to remove barriers and expand access for all individuals and communities across the state of Vermont through a welcoming culture that fosters justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and supports youth of communities.
The purpose of the Winter Sports Youth Access Initiative grant is to offer funding assistance with the development of a new winter fitness and sports program, improve an existing fitness and sports program, or pursue new fitness and sports initiatives that will foster access for historically marginalized communities within the state of VT. By encouraging and supporting access to youth fitness and sports, community groups as well as collaborations between these groups have the potential to positively impact the health of their communities.
2026 Winter Sports Youth Access Initiative RFP
Eligible Applicants:
Community groups including recreation departments, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, community-based health centers
Special consideration will be given to proposals that foster Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in winter sports for traditionally underserved populations.
Availability & Use of Funds:
A total of $8,500 is available for this award period. We anticipate dividing the total among multiple grant recipients. The total number of grants and amounts awarded will be based upon the number received and reviewer evaluations.
The Winter Sports Youth Access Initiative grant is a one-time award that can be used to cover materials, gear, supplies, transportation, and personnel expenses related to the establishment or improvement of a winter youth sports program or initiative with measurable health objectives and outcomes. Each community group or collaborative initiative selected must have measurable outcomes with clear strategies for assessing these outcomes. The award will not fund one-time events.
Proposal Guidelines
This Request for Proposals (RFP) defines the scope of work required which the chosen Grantee must operate. To be considered for selection, applicant must complete all responses to this RFP. Proposals should include a goal, objectives, outlined strategies for meeting objectives as well as the measurable outcomes expected as a result of the proposed program. The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.
Key Steps, Timeline, and Personnel
Proposals should include a program implementation plan and assessment schedule. In addition, the individual(s) responsible for each key step should be identified.
Sustainability
The Council seeks to fund programs that will continue to have a positive impact on community health and wellness beyond the award period. Proposals should outline a plan and identify individuals responsible for sustaining the program beyond the award period.
Reportable Outcomes
Chosen grantees will be required to submit a brief final report to the Council by May 31, 2026. This report will provide the Council information regarding the impact of the program on the community, specifically the health outcomes, as well as the current and future planned status of the program. Failure to submit a final report to The Council and/or significant deviation from the work plan outlined in the awarded proposal will make the grantee ineligible for any future grant opportunities. The final report will become part of The Council grant records.
Communication
Grantees may be contacted and asked intermittently during the award period by members of the Council for program updates, information, and/or photos. Any information and/or photos grantees are willing to share will only be used for promotional purposes by the Council and will not affect the award (funding).
Any questions or concerns about the grant can be sent by email to info@vermontfitness.org
Award Timeline
The Council schedule for this RFP and granting process is listed below. Please note that The Council reserves the right to adjust the schedule below as needed.
RFP published: November 24, 2025
Proposals due: December 31, 2025 at 5:00p.m. EST
Award Notification: On or before January 19, 2026
Anticipated award start date: January 21, 2026
Final Report due: May 31, 2026
Proposal Submission & Deadline
Applicants will submit their proposal electronically to: info@vermontfitness.org with “RFP Submission” in the subject line of the email. The closing date for the receipt of proposals is 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 31, 2025.
The Council reserves the right to eliminate from further consideration any proposal deemed to be substantially or materially unresponsive to the requests for information contained herein. Please note that any and all pages of the Applicant proposal containing confidential and proprietary information must be clearly marked “Proprietary and Confidential.” After completion of this bid process, all proposal materials are in the public domain. Proposals may not be marked “Proprietary and Confidential” in their entirety.
Proposal Evaluation
A team of reviewers will determine if each proposal is sufficiently responsive to the RFP to permit a complete evaluation of the Proposal. Proposals must comply with the instructions to Applicant detailed below. Failure to comply with the instructions shall deem the proposal non-responsive and subject to rejection without further consideration.
Method of Award
The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. Upon completion of the evaluation process, The Council will select proposals based on the evaluations and within The Council’s pre-determined grant funding allotment for this RFP.
Proposal Format and Contents
Proposals should include a goal, objectives, outlined strategies for meeting objectives as well as the measurable outcomes expected as a result of the proposed program.
2026 Winter Sports Youth Access Initiative RFP