Support grassroots organizations working for social and environmental justice, with emphasis on communities historically denied power; engage Ben & Jerry's employees in grantmaking and give back to Vermont communities.
Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc backs grassroots organizations working on social and environmental justice, with an emphasis on communities historically denied power. Its recent grantmaking shows a strong preference for general operating support, including repeated awards to groups organized around constituent-led campaigns and community accountability. The foundation also keeps a distinct Vermont stream alongside national organizing grants, linking statewide equity work with broader systemic-change efforts. Recent grants show that the foundation gives across a wide range of sizes, from smaller community awards to larger operating grants for organizations advancing justice goals. Among its recent recipients, Tides Foundation appears with some of the largest awards, while Resist is another recurring grantee in the national organizing lane. The foundation’s portfolio also includes intermediaries and fiscal sponsors such as Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs and Social Good Fund, alongside place-based organizations working in Vermont and other U.S. communities. The foundation’s stated priorities include racial justice, environmental justice, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ rights, low-wage labor organizing, criminal justice reform, local food systems and food security, and capacity building. Its grantmaking pattern points to support for organizations using non-violent, strategic grassroots organizing and for nonprofits that need flexible core support to sustain long-term advocacy.
In grassroots organizing, Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc funds constituent-led campaigns that seek systemic change. A 2025 grant of $75,000 to Resist was listed as general support, and the same organization received $71,000 in 2024 and $60,000 in 2023, showing repeated support for the same organizing vehicle. For environmental and social justice work, the foundation has funded organizations acting through fiscal sponsorship and intermediary structures. It gave $120,000 in 2025 to Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs, following $102,000 in 2023 and $41,000 in 2024, all listed as general support. In Vermont, the foundation supports equity and access through place-based grants. Recent examples include $50,000 in 2025 to Equitable Opportunities Now Foundation, $40,000 in 2023 to Vermont Peace & Justice Center, and $30,100 in 2023 to 350vermont.
$4.2M
$9.2M
$5.6M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $1K and $15K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 51% of grants go to recipients in VT.
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Typical grants cluster at $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent-grants list also includes much larger operating awards. The foundation uses general operating support and unrestricted support heavily, especially in its national grassroots organizing programs and Vermont-focused grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, including several repeat awards to the same organizations. It is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and its active programs all accept unsolicited applications.
Giving is national, with 51% of grants going to recipients in Vermont. Outside Vermont, recent grants reach a mix of urban and regional organizations in California, Massachusetts, New York, and South Dakota. Specific recipient cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Calabasas, Richmond, and Rapid City. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 1,344 grants to U.S. recipients.
It supports grassroots organizations working on social and environmental justice, especially those led by people most impacted by the issues. Its listed priorities include racial justice, environmental justice, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ rights, low-wage labor organizing, criminal justice reform, local food systems and food security, and capacity building.
Yes. General operating support and unrestricted support are central to its programs, including national grassroots organizing grants, Vermont equity grants, and Vermont capacity-building grants. The recent grants list also shows many awards described as general support.
The typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. Some active programs allow grants up to $30,000, and recent awards include larger general-support grants as well.
Yes. Every active program listed accepts unsolicited applications, including the national grassroots organizing programs, Vermont Equity & Justice, Vermont Capacity-Building, Vermont Community Action Team grants, and the Jerry Greenfield national organizing program.
Yes. Vermont-specific programs include Vermont Equity & Justice, Vermont Capacity-Building, and Vermont Community Action Team grants. The foundation also gives heavily in Vermont overall, with 51% of grants going to recipients in the state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIDES FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $295,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM | WARWICK, RI | $142,363 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS | CALABASAS, CA | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RESIST | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES NOW FOUNDATION | WORCESTER, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COUP COUNCIL | RAPID CITY, SD | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $31,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEACE DEVELOPMENT FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $31,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAINE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE | AUGUSTA, ME | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOOPS4KIDS | HALFMOON, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OHIO IMMIGRANT ALLIANCE | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITING RESILIENCE | RAPID CITY, SD | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER | ALBANY, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROC UNITED | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IMPACT | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADELANTE STUDENT VOICES | POUGHKEEPSIE, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HAWAII WORKERS CENTER | HONOLULU, HI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS ED FUND | OAKLAND, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE HOME EDUCATION | STOUGHTON, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UU MASS ACTION | MARLBOROUGH, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUSION PARTNERSHIPS INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OJO CALIENTE RESTORATION SOCIETY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FESTIVAL CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TINY SEED PROJECT INC | EAST HARDWICK, VT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEXAS PRISONS COMMUNITY ADVOCATES | FULTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 350 SACRAMENTO | SACRAMENTO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ECO-JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CULTURE PUSH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY | ROCHESTER, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS | WORCESTER, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HACK CLUB FOUNDATION | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE GEM PROJECT | NEWARK, NJ | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL VENTURES INC | ITHACA, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILADELPHIA AREA PROJECT ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WATERSHED CENTER | MILLERTON, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARENTS UNITED FOR CHANGE - COFI | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OREGON SAFER WORKERS COALITION | PORTLAND, OR | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GET TO WORK INC | CHICAGE, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ESPLER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHENOM INC | WORCESTER, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ORGANIZATIONS | MONTPELIER, VT | $28,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WLM MINISTRIES | NEW HAVEN, CT | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EMPOWERING LATINA LEADERSHIP AND ACTION | YAKIMA, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIDES ADVOCACY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACKSON HOLE UNITED | JACKSON, WY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY AID & DEVELOPMENT | DECATUR, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROCKTON WORKERS ALLIANCE | BROCKTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER CINCINNATI NATIVE AMERICAN COALITION | CINCINNATI, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUDSON CATSKILL HOUSING COALITION | HUDSON, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
TIDES FOUNDATION
$295,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
$142,363GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RESIST
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES NOW FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COUP COUNCIL
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL GOOD FUND
GENERAL SUPPORT
PEACE DEVELOPMENT FUND
$31,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MAINE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOOPS4KIDS
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OHIO IMMIGRANT ALLIANCE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITING RESILIENCE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROC UNITED
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IMPACT
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ADELANTE STUDENT VOICES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HAWAII WORKERS CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS ED FUND
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE HOME EDUCATION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UU MASS ACTION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FUSION PARTNERSHIPS INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OJO CALIENTE RESTORATION SOCIETY
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE FESTIVAL CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TINY SEED PROJECT INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEXAS PRISONS COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
350 SACRAMENTO
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ECO-JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CULTURE PUSH INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST JOSEPH'S HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HACK CLUB FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE GEM PROJECT
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL VENTURES INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PHILADELPHIA AREA PROJECT ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE WATERSHED CENTER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PARENTS UNITED FOR CHANGE - COFI
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OREGON SAFER WORKERS COALITION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GET TO WORK INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ESPLER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PHENOM INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ORGANIZATIONS
$28,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WLM MINISTRIES
$26,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EMPOWERING LATINA LEADERSHIP AND ACTION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TIDES ADVOCACY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JACKSON HOLE UNITED
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY AID & DEVELOPMENT
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BROCKTON WORKERS ALLIANCE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER CINCINNATI NATIVE AMERICAN COALITION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUDSON CATSKILL HOUSING COALITION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Ben & Jerry'S Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Vermont-focused organizations working to advance racial justice and social equity in Vermont.
Deadline: The Vermont grants page lists an open period in mid-February and a deadline of April 30, but the scraped content shows a past cycle and no current future date.
Who can apply: Designed for Vermont-based organizations serving Vermont communities. The page indicates these are small grants for underserved populations in Vermont.
Deadline: The Vermont grants page lists an open period in mid-February and a deadline of April 30, but the scraped content shows a past cycle and no current future date.
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