VCF announces two grant rounds for projects focused on Lake Champlain

Grants are now available to support projects focused on Lake Champlain through the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund and the South Lake Champlain Fund, both housed at the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund was established by Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) in 2009 as part of a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for the Lamoille River, Carver Falls, and Silver Lake Hydroelectric Projects. CVPS contributed $500,000 to the fund.
Matching funds are required, and grants will be awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects, or continuing funding for outstanding, existing programs that address one or more of the following purposes:
· Protect, restore, and enhance the ecosystem integrity and ecological connectivity of the community of aquatic life in the Lake Champlain ecosystem and its tributaries.
· Protect, restore, and enhance lake sturgeon and their habitats in the Lake Champlain basin and its tributaries.
· Restore a self-sustaining land-locked Atlantic salmon population in Lake Champlain through habitat restoration and fish monitoring programs.
· Protect the riparian zones along Lake Champlain tributaries for the benefit of the ecological and recreational resources through the purchase of land easements.
The Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund will award grants totaling approximately $50,000 this year. Applications must be emailed or postmarked on or before December 2, 2011 and applicants will be notified of decisions by December 23, 2011.
Established in 1989, the South Lake Champlain Fund makes grants that support research and education and help effect positive environmental impact on the southern portion of Lake Champlain, defined as that area of Lake Champlain south of Crown Point. The fund also has a goal of supporting projects that involve experts and other people who live in the southern Lake Champlain region. Typically, three to nine grants are awarded each year’one to three grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and the remaining grants range from $1,000 to $3,000. Matching funds are encouraged, but not required. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2011 and grant decisions will be made by February 28, 2012.
Please visit www.vermontcf.org/apply-grants for detailed information and an application for these two grant programs. Those interested may also contact Ryan Torres at [email protected] or 802-388-3355 x289 for more information.
The Vermont Community Foundation has been helping donors give to the causes and organizations they care about since 1986. It is Vermont’s largest homegrown grantmaker. Together, its family of over 600 funds provides more than $10 million in grants per year. In addition, it helps keep Vermont’s nonprofit community vital by offering endowment management and planned giving services, and providing leadership in charitable giving of all kinds. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.