Best Women's Programs in Vermont — 17 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in Vermont

Vermont's Family Division of the Superior Court handles all family matters statewide. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DCF. Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, and Essex are the largest towns. Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Vermont, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide civil legal aid and a statewide Family Law helpline for women.

17 Resources

1. Vermont Commission on Women — Free

Vermont Commission on Women at 126 State St in Montpelier is the legislative commission that researches policy on pay equity, paid leave, and reproductive rights for the Vermont General Assembly. They maintain a women's resource directory and run the Vermont Women's History Trail. 802-828-2851.

802-828-2851 · 126 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Vermont Works for Women — Free

Vermont Works for Women at 32 College St Suite 302 in Burlington runs Trailblazers (hands-on trades exploration for girls), Step Up trades training for women re-entering the workforce, and the Rosie's Girls summer program. Call 802-655-8900 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

802-655-8900 · 32 College St Suite 302, Burlington, VT 05401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Vermont Women's Fund — Free

The Vermont Women's Fund within the Vermont Community Foundation in Middlebury makes grants to organizations advancing women's economic security and gender equity. They publish the Change The Story research series on women in the Vermont economy. 802-388-3355.

802-388-3355 · Middlebury, VT · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Girl Scouts of Green & White Mountains — Free

Girl Scouts of Green and White Mountains serves girls K-12 across Vermont and New Hampshire with troop programs, summer camp at Camp Farnsworth, and STEM badges. Call 888-474-9686 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm for troop placement.

888-474-9686 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Change The Story VT — Free

Change The Story is the joint research initiative of the Vermont Commission on Women, Vermont Works for Women, and the Vermont Women's Fund publishing data on the gender pay gap and women in leadership. Reports inform Vermont policy. 802-828-2851 in Montpelier.

802-828-2851 · Montpelier, VT · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

7. SBA Vermont District Office — Free

The SBA Vermont District Office in Montpelier runs the WBC, certifies Women-Owned Small Businesses for federal contracting, and partners with Vermont SBDC on workshops. Call 802-828-4422 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

802-828-4422 · Montpelier, VT · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Junior League of Burlington — Free

Junior League of Champlain Valley (Burlington-based) trains women in voluntarism, civic leadership, and community fundraising — current initiatives focus on diaper need and literacy. 802-862-2564.

802-862-2564 · Burlington, VT · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

9. Mercy Connections — Burlington — Free

Mercy Connections at 255 S Champlain St in Burlington runs Women's Small Business Program, mentoring for women in recovery and re-entry, and ESL classes. Programs are sliding-scale or free for participants who qualify. Call 802-846-7063 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

802-846-7063 · 255 S Champlain St, Burlington, VT 05401 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

11. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

NOW chapters in Vermont organize around reproductive rights, paid family leave, and workplace equity legislation. Membership is open; chapter calendars are posted to now.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. League of Women Voters — Free

The League of Women Voters of Vermont publishes nonpartisan candidate forums, voter guides for every Vermont election, and hosts the VOTE411 lookup tool covering all 14 counties.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. YWCA USA — Free

YWCA's national network includes the YWCA Vermont chapter that focuses on racial justice and women's economic empowerment programs. Programs vary by location.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Women's Funding Network — Free

WFN connects the Vermont Women's Fund with peer funders nationwide and shares research on gender-lens grantmaking. Useful for Vermont nonprofits seeking grant pipelines.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Junior League — Free

AJLI is the international parent of the Junior League of Champlain Valley, training Vermont women in fundraising, governance, and community needs assessment.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Soroptimist International — Free

Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards give cash grants to Vermont women heads-of-household pursuing education. Local clubs in Burlington and Rutland accept applications each fall.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Zonta International — Free

Zonta funds scholarships and vocational training grants for women worldwide; Vermont's Zonta Club of Burlington administers regional awards. Apply through the club website each spring.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in Vermont?
Women's Corner tracks 17 women's programs resources for women in Vermont.
Are women's programs resources in Vermont free?
17 of the 17 listed women's programs resources in Vermont are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Vermont have women's programs resources?
Listings span cities including Montpelier, Burlington, Middlebury.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in Vermont?
Featured entries include Vermont Commission on Women, Vermont Works for Women, Vermont Women's Fund, Vermont Small Business Development Center — Women, Girl Scouts of Green & White Mountains.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 17 Vermont women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?
Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?
Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?
Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?
Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.