The Vermont Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Spark Connecting Community Grant Program to support grassroots work that builds social capital—the connective tissue of communities.
Donor Name: The Vermont Community Foundation
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/18/2023
Size of the Grant: $500-$5,000
Details:
Spark Connecting Community grants put building and nurturing community front and center. They aim to support grassroots work that builds social capital—the connective tissue of communities. Social capital can be described as the value developed from working together, connecting across differences, and sharing common place-based experiences. Higher levels of social capital are correlated with better health outcomes, higher educational achievement, increased civic engagement, and greater resilience—all of which help build community vitality.
This grassroots grant making model focuses on strengthening community connections that lead to action and impact. This is a grant round for local champions who are collaborating with others; they want to help you turn your idea into a reality!
- They are looking to fund projects throughout Vermont
- They are looking for projects where a small grant can make a big difference
- They want to collect stories and share them widely, to help create even more sparks that inspire more philanthropy.
The Spark Program funds
The Spark program will accept applications from hyper local, place-based projects (applications from a single community or a few towns working in partnership in the same region) or statewide/regional projects that support a community of individuals with a shared identity or interest, such as a project supporting visual artists throughout the state.
- This program will prioritize funding projects that:
- Increase Vermonters access to opportunity as outlined in their five areas of impact
- Connect people with each other in deep and meaningful ways that are grounded in acts of generosity
- Connect people to the environment around them in ways that encourage stewardship and respect
- Increase opportunities for positive social interaction
- As part of a project budget, the Spark program will support stipends to individuals who otherwise would not be able to participate to ensure more inclusive community processes, programs, and/or events (ex. childcare support, stipends to individuals, or transportation).
- Here are some examples of what the program will fund:
- Out of school and/or experiential learning opportunities for students to connect with local community members;
- Community-created public art to support downtown revitalization;
- A nature trail to support environmental education and encourage healthy exercise; and
- A community diversity event and dialogue in a town experiencing changing demographics.
Funding Information
Grants will be in the range of $500-$5,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- 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
- First time grant seekers are encouraged to apply and be in touch if any help is needed with the application
- Groups and organizations may apply multiple times but may only receive funding once in a calendar year, even if the organization is applying for funding for projects in different communities or towns
- An organization serving as fiscal sponsor for a Spark grantee does remain eligible to submit another application for a different project.
Ineligibility
- Capital costs and campaigns, unless the capital investment is needed for an activity or event that builds community connections (for example, eligible expenses may include purchase of materials to construct or expand on a community garden or greenhouse; purchase of upgraded lighting or furniture to expand use of a local gathering space; and/or purchase of materials to repair a skatepark and restore safe use)
- Performance ticket subsidies or scholarships that are not directly connected to community-building work
- Events and performances that do not have any components of audience or community engagement
- Debt reduction
- Individuals (applicant should apply as part of a nonprofit organization, community group, municipality, or similar entity)
- Expenses that have already been incurred
- Programs with religious instruction
- Indirect expenses for a project (including fiscal sponsor fees)
- Repeat support of the same project.
For more information, visit TVCF.
