Opening doors to brighter futures for Vermonters.
The Curtis Fund helps low-income and first-generation Vermonters pursue college degrees and career training that lead to meaningful work, economic mobility, and stronger communities.
Founded in 1910, The Curtis Fund is Vermont’s largest private provider of postsecondary scholarships and a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation.
Empowering Vermont's workforce & students since 1910
Opportunity changes lives.
Each year, The Curtis Fund helps students and adult learners across Vermont access the education and training they need to build brighter futures.
Whether pursuing a college degree or a short-term credential that leads directly to a job, our scholars are creating new opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
900+
ANNUAL SUPPORT
Scholarships awarded annually across Vermont
Direct student aid
87%
PROVEN SUCCESS
Graduation rate for Cutris Fund degree scholars
Above national average
70%
WAGE PROGRESSION
of COV recipients reported increased earnings
Credentials of Value impact
$3,400
RENEWABLE PER YEAR
Degree scholarships for two- and four-year college programs
No re-application required
Our Commitment
Help Vermont students
Our Mission
Provide educational scholarships
Our Goal
Secure brighter futures
WHAT WE DO
The Curtis Fund awards scholarships for at-risk, low-income, and first-generation Vermonters pursuing post-secondary education via a two- or four-year degree or credentialed certificate program.
Announcing scholarships for
Credentials of Value (CoV)
Credentials of Value allow students to explore career paths with applicable coursework that contribute to earning a certificate in that field. If students choose to pursue further degrees, the coursework earned in pursuit of the credentials is “stackable” and can contribute to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
OUR IMPACT
Every year we award over
2 million dollars
to Vermonters pursuing post-secondary ed.
Over a century of helping Vermonters
We’ve been awarding scholarships to low income and first-generation students since 1912.
More than 14,000 Vermonters served
In 2025-2026, we awarded 247 COV scholarships and 652 degree scholarships.
We manage a $35 million endowment fund
and distribute at least 5% of the earnings annually.
“My family and I were trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the program, so I applied for VSAC grants, and also was awarded The Curtis Fund CoV scholarship. These combined grants and scholarship were enough to cover the cost of my program. The Curtis Fund did a great job of supporting me and I really appreciate it!”
Skylar Casey, Southwest Tech
Make a donation.
Your gift to The Curtis Fund helps Vermonters get the education and training they need to thrive—today and for future generations to come. With your donation you can make a positive impact on the lives of Vermonters, just as Emma Eliza Curtis did.
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