John M Bissell Foundation Incorporated
John M. Bissell Foundation, Inc. is a Stowe, Vermont private foundation that promotes the production, distribution, and exhibition of films in the Vermont community. The site includes awarded grants, a How to Apply page (accepting proposals Feb 1–Mar 31), and contact details (PO Box in Stowe, phone, and email).
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize Vermont arts or cultural nonprofit proposing a focused film- or media-related project (festival exhibition, digitization, documentary production, equipment, residencies) seeking modest one-time support.
Good Fit
- • Based in Vermont or demonstrating clear in-state impact.
- • Project-level requests tied to film exhibition, digitization, documentary work, equipment, festivals, or residencies.
- • Request sizes in the low-thousands (roughly $2K–$7K).
- • Clear cultural heritage or community exhibition outcomes.
- • Willingness to submit a written proposal and provide 501(c)(3) documentation.
Geography
All observed grants across the available years were to organizations located in Vermont, with the most recent years showing 100% of funds staying in-state.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded multiple independent recipients each year (8 in 2022, 5 in 2023, 7 in 2024) with several new grantees in the latest year, indicating a moderately broad recipient set for a small private foundation.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new recipients (five in the latest year) plus a published annual proposal window and explicit submission instructions suggest unfamiliar applicants can realistically access funding, although a separate statement that funding is only for preselected applicants introduces some uncertainty.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
