VCF: Spark Connecting Community Grant

The Vermont Community Foundation's Spark Connecting Community Grant supports grassroots projects that enhance social capital and community connections in Vermont. With grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, it prioritizes initiatives from under-represented counties, fostering collaboration among local champions. The program seeks innovative projects that promote civic engagement, health, and resilience, while encouraging first-time grant seekers and organizations with smaller budgets to apply for funding.

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.
Spark Connecting Community grants put building and nurturing community front and center. We aim to support emerging grassroots projects with the potential to build social capital—the connective tissue of our 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 is a grant round for local champions who are collaborating with others; we want to help you turn your idea into a reality! This grassroots grantmaking model focuses on strengthening community connections that lead to action and impact. While we are looking to fund projects throughout Vermont, this year we will prioritize projects from under-represented counties in grantmaking. Spark applications from Essex, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties will receive priority consideration.
We are looking for projects where a small grant can make a big difference.
Grant Size
Grants will be in the range of $500-$5,000.

Eligibility

What We Fund:The Spark program will accept applications from hyperlocal, 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.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.Who May ApplyFirst-time grant seekers are encouraged to apply and be in touch if any help is needed with the applicationGroups 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 townsAn organization serving as a fiscal sponsor for a Spark grantee does remain eligible to submit another application for a different project

Ineligibility

What We Don't Fund: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 the purchase of materials to construct or expand on a community garden or greenhouse; purchase of upgraded lighting or furniture to expand the use of a local gathering space; and/or purchase of materials to repair a skatepark and restore safe use).
Ongoing, recurring, or annual events or projects.
Event sponsorships
Performance ticket subsidies or scholarships that are not directly connected to community-building work. However, the 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).
Events and performances that do not prioritize audience or community engagement.
Debt ReductionIndividuals (applicant should apply as part of a nonprofit organization, community group, municipality, or similar entity)
Expenses that have already been incurred.
Requests for general operating support.
Programs with religious instruction.
Indirect expenses for a project (including fiscal sponsor fees).
Repeat support for the same, or a similar, project.

Vermont nonprofits, community groups, municipalities and similar entities (fiscal sponsors allowed); priority to organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less and to Essex, Grand Isle and Franklin counties; one award per calendar year.