Two Grant Programs Protecting Vermont Communities
Whether you are a nonprofit operator, faith organization, regional agency, or municipal leader, GetWarmNowVT provides grant funding, technical coaching, and activation coordination across Vermont.
Extreme Cold Weather Shelter Program (ECWSP)
Funds community organizations, faith groups, and regional providers to open emergency overnight shelter when wind chill is forecast at or below the shelter’s approved threshold for unhoused neighbors with nowhere else safe to go.
- Who Can Apply: Nonprofits, faith communities, municipalities, community action agencies, & educational institutions.
- Activation Trigger: 10°F wind chill is the warmest threshold ECWSP will reimburse; applicants can propose their own threshold at or colder than 10°F during the application process (based on local NWS forecasts).
- Three-Day Notice, No Rescind: Notices go out 72–84 hours ahead. Operators confirm they will open within 4 hours of the notice. Once called, notices are never rescinded—so staffing and supplies are guaranteed.
- Eligible Costs, Reimbursed: Reimburses documented expenses up to a contracted maximum across guidance categories: personnel, facility, supplies, infrastructure, permits, and insurance.
Municipal Support Grant Program (MSGP)
Direct municipal grants under Act 143 of 2026 (33 V.S.A. chapter 22, § 2201(10)) enabling Vermont towns and cities to fulfill local shelter commitments during a National Weather Service Cold Weather Advisory, Extreme Cold Watch, or Extreme Cold Warning.
- Who Qualifies: Any Vermont municipality or multi-town alliance committing to cold weather advisory shelter.
- Activation Threshold: NWS Cold Weather Advisory (roughly -20°F wind chill).
- 3 Qualification Options: (1) Direct shelter in approved site, (2) Proposed site upfit plan, or (3) Collaborative transport agreement with neighboring shelter. Where a shelter is not reasonably accessible to unsheltered residents, the municipality must provide transportation.
- Flexible Uses: Overnight shelter, daytime warming, coats/tents/supplies, dedicated transit, site safety repairs, and local coordination. Once the overnight shelter commitment is in place, MSGP funding runs through the end of the state fiscal year on June 30, 2027 for supplies, readiness work, and daytime warming (note: does not fund new facility construction).
- Funding Structure: No hard ceiling on a request; proposals are weighed on project criteria, community need, reasonableness, and available funds.
- Weather Monitoring: Municipalities self-monitor NWS advisories for their locality (GetWarmNowVT monitors for ECWSP participants).
How the Programs Compare
Compare key features, activation triggers, eligibility, and requirements to choose the right path for your organization or town.
| Feature / Parameter | Extreme Cold Weather Shelter Program (ECWSP) | Municipal Support Grant Program (MSGP) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Applicants | Nonprofits, Faith Communities, Regional Agencies, Municipalities | Vermont Municipalities (Towns, Cities, Villages, Alliances) |
| Activation Threshold | 10°F Wind Chill or colder (Warmest threshold reimbursed; applicant proposes threshold at or colder) | NWS Cold Weather Advisory (roughly -20°F wind chill) |
| Activation Protocol | 72–84 hours NWS notice via GetWarmNowVT (operator confirms within 4 hours); Three-Day Notice, No Rescind guarantees funding | Mandatory operation during a qualifying NWS Cold Weather Advisory, Extreme Cold Watch, or Extreme Cold Warning (no opt-out). Municipalities self-monitor NWS advisories for their locality. |
| Funding Structure | State subgrant reimbursement program | State allocation under Act 143 of 2026 (no hard ceiling per request; evaluated on project criteria, community need, reasonableness, and available funds) |
| Eligible Expenses | Personnel, facility, supplies, infrastructure, permits, insurance (reimbursed up to contracted maximum) | Direct shelter, site upfit, transit contracts, warming spaces, life-sustaining gear |
| Entry & Barrier Level | Low-barrier; HUD definition of homelessness; no ID required; minimum intake is name & DOB; no guest denied for declining info | Low-barrier, time-limited, no coordinated entry assessment required |
| Technical Assistance | Comprehensive site coaching, budgeting, permitting & zoning variance support | Application coaching, OEO coordination, and municipal planning help |
| Training Requirements | Training provided and expected for operators and staff | Training recommended, not required; staff qualifications assessed case by case |
| Reporting System | Moves to a web-based system this year (replaces email & spreadsheet tracking) | Moves to a web-based system this year (replaces email & spreadsheet tracking) |
Never Run an Emergency Shelter Before?
Apply anyway. Several successful shelter operators last season started from nothing. GetWarmNowVT provides direct, step-by-step assistance through every stage of development.
Budget & Cash Flow
First-time operators told us budget development is where they needed help most. We build custom budgets together early.
Zoning & Code Variances
We work with state partners to navigate Division of Fire Safety capacity categories (6–8, 9–16, 17+ occupants), showing how adequate staffing can offset some code requirements.
Trauma-Responsive Training
Praised as the most valuable element of last season. Pre-season orientation covers de-escalation, hypothermia, naloxone, and guest care.
Vermont 2-1-1 Coordination
Coordination with Vermont 2-1-1 so emergency responders and neighbors can find shelter status and availability during cold weather activations.
Key Dates & Application Timeline
Prepare your site, partners, and budget early for the upcoming winter season.
Outreach & Opportunity Posting
Funding opportunities posted statewide. GetWarmNowVT begins technical assistance and community consultation calls.
ECWSP-MSGP Information Session
Statewide information and Q&A session for prospective shelter operators and municipal leaders.
DCF Interim Rules Effective
Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families releases interim rules for Act 143 of 2026 (33 V.S.A. chapter 22, § 2201(10)).
Application Period & Coaching
Applicants submit proposals with hands-on assistance for site selection, budgeting, and municipal agreements.
Award Target Decisions
Target date for grant award notices, enabling operators to finalize staffing, agreements, and site upfits.
Orientation Conference
Statewide orientation conference for awarded ECWSP and MSGP grantees.
Pre-Season Operator Orientation
Comprehensive training on trauma-responsive care, de-escalation, activation protocol, and financial reporting.
Mobilization Readiness
Agreements and safety permits finalized; sites ready for staffing and operational setup.
Winter Activation Season
Shelters open across Vermont whenever activation thresholds are triggered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find details on eligibility, expenses, activation rules, and municipal requirements.
Nonprofits, faith communities with suitable space, municipalities, community action agencies, and educational institutions are eligible. Two organizations may also submit a joint application with one acting as the applicant of record.
ECWSP is a reimbursement program. Operators are reimbursed for documented, eligible expenses up to a contracted maximum across core categories: personnel, facility, supplies, infrastructure, permits, and insurance.
GetWarmNowVT monitors National Weather Service forecasts for your ZIP code. Activation notices go out 72 to 84 hours in advance, and operators confirm they will open within 4 hours of receiving notice. Once an activation notice is issued, it is never rescinded. Even if weather subsequently warms up, you open and are fully reimbursed, giving you complete financial confidence to schedule staff and buy food.
Guests must meet the HUD definition of homelessness as adopted by the Agency of Human Services and have no other safe shelter option. No identification is required, minimum intake is name and date of birth, and no guest is denied shelter for declining to provide information.
Established under Act 143 of 2026 (33 V.S.A. chapter 22, § 2201(10)), the MSGP provides direct grants to Vermont municipalities to help keep unhoused neighbors safe during a National Weather Service Cold Weather Advisory (roughly -20°F wind chill), Extreme Cold Watch, or Extreme Cold Warning.
Once the overnight shelter commitment is in place, MSGP funding runs through the end of the state fiscal year on June 30, 2027 for supplies, readiness work, and daytime warming.
A senior municipal official signs, meaning the mayor, select board chair, or city manager. That signatory verifies the proposal comports with municipal regulations.
A municipality can qualify in one of three ways: (1) Operating an existing approved municipal shelter, (2) Submitting an upfit plan for a new proposed municipal shelter site, or (3) Submitting a collaborative agreement with a neighboring shelter provider along with a dedicated guest transportation plan.
No. You do not need final zoning or fire safety approval to submit an application—only to sign a final subgrant agreement. We recommend starting municipal conversations early. The Division of Fire Safety applies capacity categories of 6 to 8, 9 to 16, and 17 or more occupants, and adequate staffing can offset some code requirements. Our technical assistance team will work directly with state officials to assist you.
Ready to Start a Conversation for SFY 2027?
Tell us about your community, site idea, or municipal challenge. We will pair you with a technical assistance coach to assist with budgeting, permitting, and applications.