VCF: Hills Fund Grant

The VCF: Hills Fund Grant offers financial support ranging from $1,501 to $7,500 for projects that enhance educational opportunities and foster community sustainability in Poultney, Vermont. Eligible applicants include schools, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations. The Hills Fund prioritizes initiatives that engage local residents and leverage additional community resources. Applications are accepted annually from January 1 to November 1, with a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all participants.

NOTE:
The Hills Fund accepts applications each year on a rolling basis from January 1 - November 1. Applications submitted between November 2 and December 31 will not be considered.
About the Vermont Community Foundation
We are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. Together, our funds and programs put more than $60 million a year to work in Vermont and beyond, through grants and investments.
The Hills Fund was established at the Vermont Community Foundation in 2003 to support educational opportunities, children and families, and efforts that foster the future sustainability of Poultney and its nearby communities.
Hills Grants ($1,501 - $7,500)
The larger grants from the Hills Program consider projects that address long-standing local needs as well as immediate situations. We encourage fresh ideas that engage Poultney residents in their planning and implementation. Special attention is given to proposals where our grant will leverage additional dollars and resources for the project from the community.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be schools, municipal entities, or nonprofit organizations whose service area includes Poultney or its nearby communities.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.Discrimination policy:No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available (meaning any funds having a competitive application process) by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation.
If grant applicants employ staff or engage volunteers, they must do so and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability.Please note that programs and events must take place in spaces that are ADA accessible in order to be eligible for funding.What We Fund
Through its grant programs, the Hills Fund aims to promote sustainable, healthy, vital and democratic communities. Grant funding is available to support existing services, provide seed money for promising new projects, and enable organizations outside of Poultney to expand their outreach to include area residents.
Examples of eligible program areas include:

• Educational opportunities;

Services for children, elderly, and family health;Community organizations that nurture, preserve and interpret the area's unique cultural, built and natural environment;
Programs that address the use and abuse of limited natural resources, including responses to climate change; and
Programs that encourage community engagement and a stronger sense of connection and belonging.The Hills Fund seeks to encourage collaborative programs and projects that take full advantage of available resources, such as colleges and existing programs and services (i.e., food shelves, rescue squads, schools, historical societies, clubs), or special individual expertise and experience. The best projects will stimulate participation and build bridges within the community.

Ineligibility

What We Don’t Fund: :The Hills Fund does not fund capital campaigns, endowments, deficit funding, or expenses that have already been incurred.