Arts & Social Cohesion Grant

The Arts & Social Cohesion Grant, funded by the Vermont Community Foundation, aims to enhance community belonging through diverse artistic projects. Grants up to $10,000 will support initiatives like mural projects, artist residencies, and public performances that foster collaboration and engagement. The program prioritizes projects that connect marginalized voices and create inclusive environments, encouraging social interaction and community cohesion. This grant is designed for nonprofits and community groups focused on impactful artistic endeavors.

This grant program is made possible by a VCF Donor Advised Fundholder in alignment with the Health & Wellbeing impact area of Foundation’s Opportunity Gap framework.
Background
The sense of belonging and connection that people feel in their community has a powerful influence on mental and physical health. At a time of polarization, disruption, and disconnection, the arts can help bring people back together to work, play, create, and solve problems at the community level—which has meaningful impacts on belonging and well-being.
Grant Size
The program will award grants up to $10,000. We intend to fund a range of project types and sizes in communities across the state with an average grant size of $7,500.
Here are some examples of what the program will fund:

• Participatory mural projects
• Artist residencies that connect artists with community members for co-design and co-creation
• Public arts installations with community engagement elements
• Interactive musical or dance performances
• New choral collaborations
• Talent shows
• Hands-on workshops
• Free public classes and events

Funds may be used for salaries, benefits, contracted workers, project materials and equipment, reasonable overhead costs, and similar, necessary project expenses.
Successful projects will:

• Reach broad and diverse audiences, including those who may feel marginalized in their community
• Engage people as participants, co-designers, and co-creators
• Feature diverse artists as leaders and facilitators
• Create a safe, inclusive environment for creative expression
• Build new connections between neighbors
• Foster trust, fun, and resilience

Eligibility

Who We Fund
The Community Foundation is seeking Letters of Interest (LOI) for projects and events in the visual, performing, music, and literary arts that create opportunities for positive social interaction, engagement, and collaboration.
Projects should strengthen belonging and community cohesion in ways that are likely to persist and grow.
Ideally, people who experience a project funded through this program will feel that they have participated in something special, had a positive encounter with their neighbors, and become more connected to their community.

Ineligibility

General operating support
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 participation
Debt reduction or deficit funding
Individuals (applicant should apply as part of a nonprofit organization, community group, municipality, or similar entity)
Programs with religious instruction
Indirect expenses unrelated to the project such as fiscal sponsor fees, rent, or financing costs.