The Northeast Kingdom Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation made $65,053.95 in grants to 19 organizations in Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Counties this year. The Fund was established in 2011 by the Community Foundation and local partners as a permanent philanthropic resource to support the people and communities in the region. This year’s grantmaking was supported in part by donors from across Vermont. The support of these donors demonstrates the importance of philanthropic collaboration and partnership in advancing the good work in communities in the Northeast Kingdom.
Says Foundation President Dan Smith, “These grants are a natural component of the Foundation’s efforts to close the opportunity gap and give access to education, jobs, health, and community vitality to all Vermonters. As part of this work, we are engaging more deeply in communities and our long-established partnerships in the Kingdom offer a wonderful platform for inspiring, community-driven impacts.”
The Vermont Community Foundation will celebrate this year’s grantees on December 6th at an event at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury. Guest speakers include Mike Strait from Brighton Community Forum and the co-owner of Hearth and Home Country and Todd Wellington, the director of the Kingdom All Stars. Light refreshments will be served and there will also be a musical performance by the Kingdom All Stars.
To learn more about the Northeast Kingdom Fund, visit vermontcf.org/NEKFund. To register for the Northeast Kingdom Fund Grants Celebration, visitvermontcf.org/NEKDec6.
2018 Grants
Albany Public Library received $1,000 to support a winter playspace that will give families a fun, warm, safe place to connect with each other.
Brighton Community Forum received $5,000 to build on their highly successful summer Friday Night Live concerts through the addition of year-round cultural events.
Brighton Elementary received $1,000 to support a program that will bring elementary students together with seniors from Sunrise Manor for monthly lunches, conversation, and historical exploration.
Canaan School District received $4,603.95 to support environmental education programming for Pre-k through 8th grade students in the district to increase student connection to their natural environment and each other.
Catamount Film & Arts received $5,000 to work with ReNewport Events! to form a creative sector and economic development plan to build a vibrant creative hub of their unique place-based assets.
Circus Smirkus received $5,000 to develop and pilot an afterschool, leadership training program to inspire and empower youth by deepening their connection and commitment to their communities.
Craftsbury Saplings received $2,000 to develop and pilot a “farm-to-early education” curriculum that includes sourcing food from local farms, farmer and animal classroom visits, and bringing students on field trips to partner farms.
Encore After School and Summer Program/North Country Supervisory Union received $5,000 to support a proactive, health-focused afterschool program that will help elementary students navigate choices about risky behaviors in fun, hands-on ways.
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium received $5,000 to support the purchase of a portable planetarium dome to deliver programming in underserved communities that can’t afford the growing cost of busing.
FoodWorx Enterprises received $5,000 to provide adults reentering the community after incarceration with on-the-job skills training and support services to ensure their sustainable, successful reentry.
Grass Roots Art and Community Effort (GRACE) received $1,000 to develop a multi-generational community drop-in gathering space at the GRACE Old Firehouse.
Green Mountain Farm-to-School received $5,000 to bring locally-grown food and food-based education to communities in Orleans County with the Lunchbox Food Truck summer meal program.
Helping Other People Everyday (H.O.P.E.) received $1,000 to ensure appropriate short-term housing and provide food, clothing, laundry and wash facilities, and basic medical attention to individuals in need who are not currently in the social service system.
Memphremagog Watershed Association received $4,500 for a hands-on education field trip program for elementary students to learn about the watershed, challenges, and conservation solutions.
Northeast Kingdom All Star Band & Chorus received $2,500 for production of four performances in 2019 featuring music, spoken-word poetry, and a light show.
Northern Forest Center received $5,000 to implement a strategic marketing plan to attract new and repeat visitors—and new residents—to the Northeast Kingdom.
Orleans County Citizen Advisory received $1,450 to support social events that combat isolation for adults with developmental disabilities and promote health and wellness through fitness, nutrition, and the arts.
St. Johnsbury School District received $5,000 to host skills development fathers’ and parents’ groups, and a monthly e-Course for expectant parents and families with children from birth to age six.
Vermont Catholic Charities received $1,000 to provide ermergency assistance to meet basic needs for families in the Northeast Kingdom facing unexpected crisis.
The Vermont Community Foundation inspires giving and brings people and resources together to make a difference in Vermont. A family of hundreds of funds and foundations, we provide the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise that make it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love.
The heart of the Community Foundation’s work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. We are aligning our time, energy, and discretionary resources on efforts that provide access to early care and learning, pathways to college and career training, support for youth and families, and community and economic vitality. We envision Vermont at its best—where everyone has the opportunity to build a bright, secure future.
Visit vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.