Subgrants to 16 Community Organizations in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Washington counties
Vermont Business Magazine United Way of Northwest Vermont has announced $630,000 in subgrants to 16 organizations as part of a 3-year investment that will exceed $2 million. The funding advances community-led efforts that build protective factors, expand youth and family supports, and address root causes that contribute to substance misuse.
The funding comes from the State of Vermont Department of Health’s Division of Substance Use Programs as part of the state’s regional approach to substance misuse prevention. United Way serves as the Lead Prevention Organization for the Burlington, St. Albans, and Barre Health Districts, where it leads regional prevention strategies and distributes subgrants to prevention partners.
This is the second year of a 3-year funding cycle. Continuation applications were reviewed by a Funding Committee of local professionals representing diverse sectors including health care, designated mental health and substance misuse agencies, and regional planning commissions. The committee also approved a 3% cost of living funding increase to each organization.
“Continued funding matters because prevention takes time, trust, and sustained community effort,” said Beth Whitlock, United Way of Northwest Vermont’s Director of Prevention and Housing Initiatives. “These grants allow local partners to deepen proven strategies, reach communities that are too often underserved, and strengthen the relationships and supports that help people thrive.”
Funded projects include youth mentoring and leadership programs, culturally responsive prevention efforts, supports for parents and families, recovery-informed community services, and initiatives focused on rural communities, immigrant and refugee communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people experiencing housing instability.
“Every young person deserves to have someone in their corner who believes in them. For BIPOC youth, seeing mentors who understand their culture and experiences can help them feel like they belong and that their dreams are possible,” said Patrice Lumumba, Founder and Executive Director of the BIPOC Youth Mentorship Program. “Through our program, we create connections that support youth, celebrate who they are, and help them grow into confident leaders in our community. Continued funding helps us keep these important relationships strong.”
Building on this year’s investment, United Way of Northwest Vermont plans to issue a new Request for Funding Proposals in the coming months for prevention organizations serving the Burlington, St. Albans, and Barre Health Districts. The RFP will seek projects that complement the current portfolio of funded partners.
To learn more about regional substance misuse prevention efforts or sign up for updates, visit www.preventionnetworknwvt.org.
A full list of this year’s subgrants is included below.
|
Prevention Funding Recipients (2026-2027)
|
||
|
Program/Organization
|
Project Description
|
Health District(s) Served
|
|
BIPOC Youth Mentorship Program
|
Provides one-on-one mentoring for BIPOC youth ages 5–18, pairing them with culturally or linguistically matched adult mentors trained in prevention and youth development.
|
Burlington
|
|
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community
|
Implements evidence-based strategies to prevent underage and high-risk alcohol and cannabis use through youth engagement, school policy, and municipal health practices.
|
Burlington
|
|
Community Empowering Youth: The Café
|
Operates two youth centers with safe spaces and guided activities for grades 6–12, promoting social connection and skill-building.
|
St. Albans
|
|
Education Justice Coalition
|
Supports BIPOC youth through leadership training, youth organizing, social justice networks, and summer camps. Centers healthy youth–adult relationships and empowers youth to lead change.
|
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans
|
|
Good Samaritan Haven
|
Embeds prevention and wellness into shelter culture, case management, staff training, peer programming, recovery pathways, and life-skills support.
|
Barre
|
|
King Street Center
|
Offers afterschool programs, camps, mentoring, family support, and youth leadership, including a youth-led Summer Entrepreneurship Project.
|
Burlington
|
|
Mad River Mentoring
|
Offers 1:1 and small group mentoring for youth ages 8–18 in the Harwood Union School District. Builds supportive adult relationships that strengthen belonging, wellbeing, and access to resources.
|
Barre
|
|
Prevent Child Abuse VT
|
Delivers parenting and family-strengthening programs that promote safe, stable, substance-free homes and reduce the long-term impacts of childhood trauma.
|
Barre, Burlington, and St. Albans
|
|
Project All Together Now VT
|
Advances a youth/adult partnership model to build inclusive, connected, and supportive communities. Continues expanding shared stewardship practices that promote holistic youth wellbeing.
|
Burlington
|
|
Richard Kemp Center
|
Expands prevention, education, and wellness programming for Black and Brown youth and families in Burlington and Winooski. Broadens activities to reach more community members and deepen impact.
|
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans
|
|
Twinfield Together Mentoring
|
Provides all middle school students with dedicated club time and Friday wellness activities. Builds protective factors by fostering adult connections, hobbies, skills, and school-wide wellness culture.
|
Barre
|
|
United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont
|
Combines youth engagement, parent education, mentorship, outreach, soccer-based workshops, mental health support, and navigation services for immigrant and refugee communities.
|
Burlington, St. Albans
|
|
Up For Learning
|
Expands access to Getting to 'Y', youth-led Youth Risk Behavior Survey data analysis and action projects aimed at reducing health risks and strengthening protective factors.
|
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans
|
|
Vermont CARES
|
Expands peer-led, harm-reduction-focused prevention for 2SLGBTQIA+ Vermonters through events, outreach, partnerships, and direct support.
|
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans
|
|
Winooski Partnership for Prevention
|
Supports resident-identified health priorities and youth engagement through the One Voice Youth Empowerment Model. Elevates community-driven solutions at institutional and policy levels.
|
Burlington
|
|
Youth First Mentoring
|
Expands outreach, cultural competency, youth voice, and development strategies to support sustainable mentoring in Barre-area communities.
|
Barre
|
About United Way of Northwest Vermont
United Way of Northwest Vermont mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. A local independent nonprofit proudly serving Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties, we bring people and resources together to improve lives today and help build a more just tomorrow. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaynwvt.org.
7.22.2026. [South Burlington, VT] — United Way of Northwest Vermont
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
Vermont Business Magazine