Sustainable communities that are inclusive, diversified, and connected are key to strengthening the resilience of Vermonters in the face of environmental, economic, and social change. Your voice is a crucial part of achieving this vision for Vermont’s communities. Following up on our recent Sustainable Communities Program Update, we are happy to share the following resources and opportunities for you to add your voice to the ongoing work of strengthening our communities’ resilience.
Spark Connecting Communities Grants
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Round 1 – March 7; Round 2 – July 18
Description:Spark Connecting Community grants put building and nurturing community front and center. We aim to support grassroots work that builds social capital—the connective tissue of our communities. Grants will be in the range of $500-$5,000, and will accept applications from hyperlocal, place-based projects (applications from a single community or a few towns working in partnership in the same region) or statewide/regional projects that support a community of individuals with a shared identity or interest, such as a project supporting visual artists throughout the state.
Municipal Energy Resilience Program
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Applications open in March
Description: The MERP will provide staff support, application and technical assistance, and funding to help energy burdened communities become more energy resilient, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions in municipal buildings. Stay tuned for several funding opportunities opening in March 2023.
Applications are now open for interested communities* and Health Equity Ambassadors.
From safer, walkable, universally accessible streets to more green spaces, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) in partnership with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to announce the launch of a technical assistance pilot to support community-led design, placemaking, and healthy equity projects across Vermont.
VDH and DHCD invite eligible Vermont communities* and residents over 18 years of age to apply for the Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance (TA) Pilot. Approximately 20 to 35 communities will be accepted for in-person and virtual engagement sessions between December 2022 and October 2023.
- The TA Pilot will provide extra capacity and resources to communities to develop healthy community design and placemaking plans, ideas, and projects that center on equity.
- The TA Pilot will also help prepare communities that are interested in, but not yet ready to apply for, DHCD’s Better Places placemaking grants.
Trusted community members who want to be directly involved in bringing health equity to their community are also encouraged to apply to be a Health Equity Ambassador.
Ambassadors are important to the success and sustainability of the TA pilot. Ambassadors will:
- support and co-lead on navigating community issues and opportunities
- engage community members, stakeholders, and state and local agencies
- co-develop community ideas and action plans to advance health equity in their community
- receive training and compensation for their time and contributions in support of local communities
Visit the Healthy Communities Vermont website to learn more.
*Communities are flexibly defined, and may include nonprofits, municipalities, and volunteer groups.
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Projects are accepted on a rolling basis while funding lasts
Description: If you are thinking of more parks and green spaces, a vibrant main street, public art projects, and community gardens, Better Places grants can help. Launched in 2022, Better Places is a non-competitive, community matching grant program empowering Vermonters to create inclusive and vibrant public places serving Vermont’s designated downtowns, village centers, new town centers, or neighborhood development areas. The program is supported by VT Department of Housing & Community Development, VT Department of Health, and VT Community Foundation.
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Projects are accepted on a rolling basis
Description: The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program is uniquely designed for small cities and towns (population 2,500-30,000). Successful applicants will receive $10,000 grants to match funding from a participating municipality or a partnering organization. Read the Grant Guidelines for more information.
Community Recovery and Revitalization Program
Category: Funding Opportunity
Description: ARPA-funded recovery intended to retain and expand existing businesses and nonprofit organizations with a preference for projects that primarily serve BIPOC populations and projects located in regions and communities with declining or stagnant grand list values. More details about project eligibility can be found here.
Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot
Category: Funding Opportunity
Description: The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is partnering with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to implement a Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance (TA) Pilot. The TA Pilot will provide extra capacity and resources to communities to develop healthy community design and placemaking plans, ideas, and projects that center on equity.
Previous Opportunities
Category: Event
Date: Nov. 1-20
Description: Record your greener trips in your Go! Vermont account and when a total of 2,500 trips have been recorded we’ll donate $1,000 to the Vermont Foodbank. Not a member yet? It’s not too late to sign up.
Stewarding Community Forests Webinar
Category: Education & Training
Date: Nov. 15, 2022
Description: This is the first webinar in the series Building the New Forest Future, presented by the Northern Forest Center. Panelists from across the region will discuss the value of community-owned and managed forests and how to develop priorities to meet community needs. The series is free.
VT Statewide Housing Conference
Category: Event
Date: Nov. 16, 2022
Description: The 2022 in-person event will cover a range of topics like housing development, single family financing, affordable housing, homelessness, housing policy, local planning, and other special topics. Hilton Burlington, 7:45am-7:00pm.
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Dec. 1, 2022
Description: The MPG program works to strengthen Vermont communities by funding local planning initiatives. A wide range of municipal planning and implementation activities are eligible for funding with a small local match of 10%. Individual towns may apply, or joint applications from several municipalities can be submitted. The grant program is administered by the VT Department of Housing & Community Development. Questions? Contact Jacob Hemmerick (802) 828-5249 Jacob.Hemmerick@vermont.gov
Category: Event
Date: Dec. 6, 2022
Description: VT Community Development Association Fall Conference will be held at The Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. Registration opens soon.
Bonus round of funding for the Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program
Category: Funding Opportunity
Date: Jan. 16, 2023
Description: A BONUS round of funding for the Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit Program is available for projects that improve building safety and enhance the historic character of commercial and community buildings in designated communities. The credits support general rehabilitation work, facade improvements, code compliance work, and flood mitigation projects. Questions? Caitlin.Corkins@vermont.gov