Deadline: 30-Sep-20
The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is seeking applications for its Small Grants for Smart Growth program to provide seed money for community-based initiatives related to smart growth.
Smart growth is an approach to development that can make the communities more livable in all of these areas, by investing in unique villages and downtowns and fighting sprawl, which makes Vermont feel less like Vermont.
Smart growth allows for a variety of housing for people of all ages, transportation choices, unique places for everybody to enjoy, and healthy farms, forests, and natural areas. It prioritizes public participation in making decisions about what the future looks like, so that the land use decisions are inclusive, not exclusive.
Projects might involve advocacy for better land use, by getting involved in the “nuts and bolts” work of municipal planning, regulations, or a permitting process. A project could also be a town or local group effort to promote downtown or village center revitalization and historic preservation; to develop a plan for better sidewalks or paths; to identify ways to support housing choice and affordability; or to plan on conserving land for agriculture or forestry.
Funding Information
- Grants are typically $500 to $1,500 per project, and a second year of funding may be an option.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants:
- Local or multi-town entities, such as a municipality, municipal commission or committee; non-profit organization; or citizens group that is either working with a non-profit or seeking 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must be within the State of Vermont.
- Eligible Activities:
- Advocacy for better land use
- Advancing transportation choice
- Supporting housing choice and affordability
- Promoting downtown or village center revitalization
- Conservation and natural resources
- Public outreach and engagement
- Eligibility hints:
- Promoting smart growth
- Transportation
- Housing
- Events
- Ineligible
- Lobbying or partisan activities
- Land or building acquisition
- Capital improvements (signs, way-finding, construction projects, bike racks)
- Equipment (e.g. computers, printers, vehicles).
How To Apply
Please submit a two page (maximum) statement that includes all of the following:
- Name and contact information for the applicant
- Amount requested
- Overall project timeline.
- If this funding will be used for a portion of a larger project, clearly identify the portion of the project it will fund.
- Project description. The project description should include the following:
- The problem or opportunity that the project is attempting to address
- The outcomes that will result from your project
- A brief description of how this funding will catalyze your project
- How the project complies with the “eligible activities” listed above
- How the project addresses the six evaluation criteria, including how the project advances smart growth principles VNRC determines when the application is complete. As a condition of any grant, all activities are to be completed within the timeline given. In addition, grant recipients agree to give VNRC ermission to feature the project in its printed and electronic materials. Where appropriate, grantees agree to note that the project is “Paid for with the assistance of the Small Grants for Smart Growth Fund of the Vermont Natural Resources Council.” Upon completion, a paragraph on the accomplishments, with illustrations if available, is to be submitted to VNRC who then forwards this on to the funder.
For more information, visit https://vnrc.org/small-grants-for-smart-growth/
