The Samara Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, announces awards of $48,625 in grants and scholarships in its second annual competitive grant round at the Foundation, including support for Vermont Pride on Sunday September 15th. The fund awarded $40,625 to 18 nonprofits for program and operating support and $8,000 in scholarships to six exceptional high school seniors.
This year’s grantmaking was made possible in part by a significant gift from the Johnson Family Foundation, as well as dozens of gifts to the Samara Fund by Vermonters and others who support Vermont’s LGBTQ community.
The awards support a variety of programs that address LGBTQ needs, ranging from Burlington High School’s Pride Alliance and Common Ground Center’s Camp Outright, a youth summer camp partnership with Outright Vermont, to Vermont CARES and other HIV/AIDS service organizations.
The Paramount Theater received $2,000 to support an artist’s residency program with openly gay Korean-American violinist Amadéus Leopold. Bruce Bouchard, executive director at the theater, said, ‘Following the performance he was mobbed by 60 kids. Many of the students have stayed in touch with himâ ¦ There is nothing more powerful than art in exposing young evolving minds and sensibilities to the idea that we can, quite possibly, live in a world that works for everyone.’
The Samara Fund’s vision is to be Vermont’s leading source of permanent support dedicated to nurturing the vitality, success, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities through dynamic and sustained philanthropy.
Additional information about the Samara Fund and this year's grants is available at www.vermontcf.org/samara.
The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and inspiring. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs and keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital. Together, its funds and programs provide more than $15 million a year in grants and other investments in Vermont. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.
Project Support Grants ($17, 325)
· The Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Vermont received $3,000 for the LGBTQ Elders Advisory Council, a partnership with RU12? Community Center.
· Brattleboro Retreat received $1,500 for their LGBTQ Mental Health and Addictions Treatment Program.
· Burlington High School Pride Alliance received $675 for an all staff LGBTQ sensitivity training delivered by Outright Vermont.
· Chandler Center for the Arts received $2,000 for the 2013 Chandler Pride summer theater festival.
· Common Ground Center received $2,500 for Camp Outright, a youth summer camp partnership with Outright Vermont.
· Faerie Camp Destiny received $1,000 to help build out a solar energy system at the Radical Faerie sanctuary.
· John Graham Shelter received $1,000 to support services for homeless LGBTQ youth and adults.
· Lund Family Center received $1,650 for training to work effectively and competently with LGBTQ youth.
· Next Stage Art Project received $2,000 for an artist’s residency program with Lenelle Moise, Haitian poet, actress, and playright whose work addresses race, gender, class, immigration, and sexuality.
· Paramount Theatre received $2,000 for an artist’s residency program with Amadeus Leopold, a Korean-American violinist.
Operating Support Grants for LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS Service Organizations ($23,300)
· AIDS Project of Vermont received $3,000.
· Green Mountain Crossroads received $1,500.
· HIV/HCV Resource Center received $2,000.
· Outright Vermont received $4,500.
· Pride Vermont received $2,000.
· RU12? Community Center received $3,300.
· Vermont CARES received $4,500.
· Vermont PWA Coalition received $2,500.
Scholarship Grants Were Awarded to Seniors at the Following Schools ($8,000)
· Vergennes Union High School
· Richford Junior-Senior High School
· Mount Anthony Union High School
· Cabot High School
· Windsor High School
· Canaan Memorial High School