Deadline: 9-Aug-21
The Vermont Community Foundation is inviting proposals for its 2nd Round of 2021 Spark Connecting Community Grants Program to support grassroots work that builds social capital—the connective tissue of the communities.
Priorities
The second round of 2021 Spark Connecting Community grant funding will prioritize applications seeking to:
- Connect and engage members of the community through arts and creative activities;
- Integrate artists, musicians, makers and/or other creatives in the creation and development of local projects; and/or
- Create opportunities for the community to engage in creative placemaking. “Placemaking” efforts are projects and investments that improve the livability and the appeal of communities, which make places more walkable and bikeable, support local businesses, build social capital, and strengthen community identity. In particular, they are looking for creative placemaking efforts that will integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities. Creative placemaking requires: partnership across sectors, deep community engagement, the involvement of artists, designers and culture bearers, and outcomes that advance local economic, physical, and/or social change, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change.
The Foundation will Fund
This program will prioritize funding projects that:
- Increase access to opportunity for low-income youth and families;
- Connect people with each other in deep and meaningful ways that are grounded in acts of generosity and volunteerism;
- Connect people to the environment around them in ways that encourage stewardship and respect; and/or
- Increase opportunities for positive social interaction.
Funding Information
- Grants will be in the range of $500-$3,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont. Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor.
- No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation.
- Grant applicants must employ staff and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability.
For more information, visit https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/spark-connecting-community/