Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation made $63,668 in grants to 21 organizations in Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Counties this year. The Fund was established in 2011 by the Community Foundation and local partners as a permanent philanthropic resource to support the people and communities in the region. This year’s grantmaking was supported in part by donors from across Vermont. The support of these donors demonstrates the importance of philanthropic collaboration and partnership in advancing the good work in communities in the Northeast Kingdom.
“The Northeast Kingdom Fund represents a collaborative effort between the Vermont Community Foundation, our family of fundholders, and local Northeast Kingdom leaders,” notes Foundation President and CEO Dan Smith. “As we focus our efforts on closing the opportunity gap, regional collaboration like this will be a key to our success: increased access to the resources rural youth and families need to get ahead.”
The Vermont Community Foundation will celebrate this year’s grantees on January 25th at an event in Hardwick at Heartbeet Lifesharing. The event will feature remarks from Dan Smith, Encore Coordinator Elizabeth Chambers, and students from the North Country Supervisory Union about the importance of increasing access to opportunity for NEK youth. Light refreshments will be served and there will be a musical performance by the Kingdom All Stars.
To learn more about the Northeast Kingdom Fund, visitvermontcf.org/NEKFund. To register for the Northeast Kingdom Fund Grants Celebration, visitvermontcf.org/NEKJan25.
2017 Grants
Brighton Elementary Schoolreceived $1,000 to support a program that brings together middle school students and senior adults for inter-generational community and cultural activities.
Burklyn Arts Councilreceived $2,500 to supporta downtown St. Johnsbury mural project that will beautify and revitalize the area and raise community pride.
Catamount Film & Artsreceived $5,000 to support a music program providing free instruments, instruction, and experience working in ensembles to students at the St. Johnsbury School.
Craftsbury Public Libraryreceived $3,400 for a project that will use children’s literature to introduce topics of multiculturalism and social justice to young children and families.
Get Thee to the Funneryreceived $5,000 to support a Shakespeare camp for middle and high school students that will culminate in a new youth production of Macbeth.
Grass Roots Art and Community Effort (GRACE)received $2,500for a series of evening and weekened art workshops aimed at diverse, underserved adults in Caledonia and Orleans counties.
Greater Barton Arts Inc.received $990 to provide free drawing, painting, and color theory art workshops for youth and adults.
Green Mountain Farm-to-Schoolreceived $5,000 to increase access to local food and incorporate enhanced food and nutritional education into its successful Farm-to-Grocery Nutrition Incentive program.
Jay Focus Groupreceived $5,000 to construct a composting outhouse to ensure the sanitation and health of over 800 monthly student and community visitors to the Jay Community Recreational Centre Outdoor Learning Area.
Modern Times Theaterreceived $1,000 to present a trilogy of family-friendly puppet variety shows in downtown Hardwick.
NEK Kids on the Movereceived $4,000 to support their mission to foster lifelong healthy habits among youth and their familiesthrough after school programming that emphasizes outdoor activities.
North Country Supervisory Unionreceived $5,000 to support a project that addresses literacy issues throughan eight-week after school program that introduces students to slam poetry, stand-up comedy, and scene writing.
Northeast Kingdom All Star Band & Chorusreceived $1,000 for a masters program that will connect professional musicians and instructors with the band and chorus students to educate them on advanced musical principals and concepts with an emphasis on musicianship, teamwork and technical skill.
Northeast Kingdom Human Servicesreceived $1,878.95 to support their Zero Suicide Initiative through training in the Zero Suicide approach for key staff on a continuing basis.
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospitalreceived $2,900to bring a certified music therapist to the campus to promote healing and comfort for patients and their family members in a holistic manner.
Orleans County Historical Societyreceived $2,500 to to replant a variety of tree species along the roadside at the Old Stone House Museum and establish an arboretum that will become an educational resource for visitors.
Orleans County Natural Resource Conservation District (OCNRCD)received $2,000 topurchase a set of portable truck scales that will enhance farm viability and improve water quality by minimizing the amount of nutrients that leave fields and enter nearby waterways.
RuralEdgereceived $5,000 to support feasibility work that will lead to the full rehabilitation and historic restoration of Barton's Pierce Block.
Vermont Foodbankreceived $3,000 to provide free fresh produce to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital patients and St. Johnsbury School students, in order to help improve diets and health among those at risk of hunger
VTDigger.orgreceived $2,500 to support investigative news coverage and civic engagement events in the NEK in partnership with local media.
WonderArts Vermontreceived $2,500 to support programming that includes free meals, movies, art and recreational activities, workshops, and more for young families, families in poverty, single parents, foster families, and other community members.
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 effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community.
Source:Vermont Community Foundation 12.19.2017vermontcf.orgor call802-388-3355for more information.