The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), in cooperation with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the state of Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity, is seeking proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities that close the opportunity gap by supporting local efforts to foster inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. VCF recognize the powerful leadership roles that local governments can play in removing structural barriers and building a more inclusive and diverse state, and wants to support communities in fulfilling that potential. This program will award grants of up to $10,000 for a 12-month project period.
Vermont communities are starting in different places in their work on equity, inclusion, and belonging, and they will need different things at different times. VCF welcomes communities at all stages of learning. Therefore, this program is open to a range of proposals for grants to help meet locally defined community needs. These may include:
- Requests for funding to support consultant-led work within a community (introductory trainings on diversity, equity, and inclusion; implicit bias trainings; equity assessments; planning efforts; review of hiring practices)
- Community-wide conversations
- Support for the creation and work of municipal equity committees
- Stipends for community members to be involved in the work (for example, so that people can take time off work, pay for child care or transportation, or otherwise have their time appropriately compensated)
- A combination of these activities
Eligible applicants are Vermont cities, towns, and villages. Nonprofit organizations or community groups doing work on behalf of and in coordination with a city, town, or village may apply if a letter of support from the municipal partner is included. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funding is no longer available.
Learn more and see the evaluation criteria and application requirements here.