AREA TOWNS — The Vermont Community Foundation announced that its Spark Connecting Community grant program has awarded $122,361 to 28 organizations across Vermont. Recipients, including schools, nonprofits and community groups, will host local projects that connect people to place and strengthen community bonds. Vermonters will be brought together around art, youth programming, gardening, and food.
Area organizations receiving grants include the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, Rural ARTS Collaborative and The Civic Standard.
Rural ARTS Collaborative received $5,000 for a project called “Voices Sustained: Writing Through Winter.” In this multi-generational arts series in Hardwick, writers will work with author Peter Gould and potters will craft bowls with Heather Stearns, culminating in a shared meal and performance.
The Civic Standard received $5,000 for a new project, “The Civic Café.” It will foster cooperative entrepreneurship and serve as a community-building space for Hardwick area teenagers and young adults. The program will provide job training in culinary arts, customer service and creative community organizing, while offering youth opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and future planning.
Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce in Caledonia County received $5,000 for Leadership NEK. This 10-month leadership incubator will help empower emerging leaders to take an active role in advancing their skills while strengthening the Northeast Kingdom.
Spark Connecting Community is a competitive grant program at the Foundation that prioritizes building and nurturing community. The Community Foundation aims to support grassroots work throughout the state that builds social capital. These grants are a spark—inspiring community vitality and promoting health and happiness for Vermonters while showing that even small amounts can make a big difference.
Visit vermontcf.org/spark for updates and more information on the Spark Connecting Community grant program.
