SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT ROUND
(Arts, Humanities and Cultural Heritage; Environment; Economic Development)
The VCF wants to be a catalyst, providing funds to help nonprofit organizations explore or undertake new work or do more effectively what they are already doing. Thus, for the Sustainable Communities grant round, we emphasize one-time grants rather than multi-year support. We seldom fund an entire project and we favor projects that bring people and resources together to solve a problem, meet a need, and have a lasting impact.

Deadline:
Applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2008. Online applications must be completed by midnight on May 2, 2008.

Decisions will be made by:
August 31, 2008

Total amount available:
Up to $100,000

Grant size:
Up to $10,000

Who is eligible:
Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must employ staff and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

What we fund:
Categories of support for Sustainable Communities include, but are not limited to: arts, humanities, and cultural heritage, environment, working landscape, and economic development.

See the 2007 Sustainable Communities Grants Report
See the 2006 Sustainable Communities Grants Report

We will accept requests for operating support under certain circumstances:

  • compelling circumstance that would be effectively addressed by a one-year operating grant;
  • the positive impact that a one-time operating grant will have on the organization;
  • reasonable funding plan following on-year VCF grant.

What we don't fund:
We do not generally make grants for: endowments; capital campaigns (except for initial planning expenses); religious purposes; individuals; debts; or equipment (unless it is an integral part of an otherwise eligible project); we do not fund work that has already been completed.

Other resources: 
See a list of other VCF funds that provide support for work relating to sustainable communities.

How to submit your application:
Apply Online

or

Submit By Surface Mail
In the interest of allowing you to tell us the story of your work, we don't want to be overly restrictive in our requirements for submitting applications. However, we do have a few guidelines that enable us to efficiently and fairly process the many applications we receive each grant round. We ask that you provide us with three collated copies of the following:

  1. Completed cover sheet.
    Download text version
    Download PDF version
  2. A two-page narrative that describes your work and includes descriptions of the following:
Project Description:
  • Specific problem being addressed
  • Documentation of need
  • Feasibility of your proposed solution
  • People who will benefit
  • Activities you will undertake
  • Outcomes you expect
  • Methods for measuring success

Personnel: List the personnel for the project, including their qualifications (or attach a resume).

Timetable: Explain the timetable set for the project.

  1. Project Budget. Include income sources (proposed and secured) and expenses. See a sample project budget.
  2. Organization Budget and Financial Statement: Include income sources (proposed and secured) and expenses.
  3. Letters of support are optional, but can help to demonstrate community need and support for your organization. Please do not send brochures, fliers, dvds, cds, or videos to support your application.
  4. List of Board of Directors.

In addition, one copy of the following must accompany the application (if applicable, please submit fiscal sponsor's information).

  • Tax-exempt letter from the IRS verifying your organization has 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
  • Current audited financial statement or copy of the most recent IRS 990 tax return.

Please note: By submitting your application to the VCF, you give the VCF permission to share your application with other interested funders (if any), both individuals and foundations.

How we evaluate your application:

In evaluating applications, the VCF will consider the following criteria:

  1. Compatibility with the VCF’s guidelines
  2. Well-documented community need for organization and project
  3. The extent to which the project or program will address the needs of under-served populations within Vermont
  4. The impact of the project or program on building the capacity of the organization
  5. The sustainability of the project or program
  6. The extent to which the grant will help the VCF reach geographic areas throughout the state
  7. Community support for the project and the organization
  8. Likelihood of success
  9. Financial accountability of applicant
  10. Availability of VCF funds

Mail your application to:
Community Grantmaking Department
The Vermont Community Foundation
P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, VT 05753

Our Grantseeker Frequently Asked Questions is a great resource for information, and we are always here to help you. Feel free to contact us directly.

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