In cooperation with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the state of Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, the Vermont Community Foundation is offering grants to Vermont villages, towns, and cities to foster inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds while at the same time addressing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves many Vermonters struggling to build bright, secure futures no matter how hard they work.
The program is open to a range of proposals that meet locally defined community needs, ideally developed in partnership with diverse groups of community members. Recognizing that communities are starting at different places with their work on equity, inclusion, and belonging, the program will fund a variety of project types. A list of examples can be found online and includes:
- trainings on topics like implicit bias,
- community-wide conversations,
- assessments of a community’s equity practices,
- and stipends that allow community members to participate in local equity work.
Eligible applicants are Vermont villages, towns, and cities. Nonprofit organizations or community groups doing work on behalf of and in coordination with a village, town, or city may apply if a letter of support from the municipal partner is included.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is no longer available. Review of applications will take place monthly beginning in May 2022. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they feel ready.
Learn More & Apply
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. For information on our COVID-19 response, visit vtcovid19response.org.