About the Fund

The Vermont Community Foundation established the VT COVID-19 Response Fund to support nonprofits that were particularly equipped to address community impacts of the spread of COVID-19 in Vermont.

**The Community Foundation continues to support the recovery work initiated through the VT COVID-19 Response Fund. We are in the process of of distributing the remaining monies from this fund, and the work will continue through other new and existing funds at the Foundation.

Working with state, federal, municipal, public health, and nonprofit leadership, the Community Foundation provided flexible resources to nonprofits working to address the most immediate public health and economic impacts of the disease, focusing on vulnerable populations and the service providers that support them.

The Fund offered donors the opportunity to be part of a coordinated response to the many effects of COVID-19 in Vermont.

The Community Foundation and its partners designed and implemented a dynamic grant-making strategy that was responsive to the rapidly changing situation.

• The Foundation established a VT COVID-19 Response Fund Advisory Committee. (Listed below.)
• The Foundation provided flexible, one-time general operating grants to local and regional organizations that were on the front lines of serving vulnerable populations. The type of grant or funding was adapted as needs evolved.
• To act quickly and remain flexible, there was not a formal application process for the VT COVID-19 Response Fund. 
• Grants were made in multiple phases on a rolling basis, depending on the fundraising dollars that are received.

In Phase One, we looked to extend capacity and support the infrastructure of nonprofits positioned to meet the basic human needs of our most vulnerable populations, specifically elders, and families compelled to stay at home by illness, school, childcare and work closures. 

• March 2020: The Vermont Community Foundation Announces First Grant Recipients from VT COVID-19 Response Fund
• April 2020: The Vermont Community Foundation Announces an Additional $529,000 in Grants from the VT COVID-19  Response Fund
• May 2020: The Vermont Community Foundation Grants $622,334 in Third and Largest Round from VT COVID-19 Response Fund
• June 2020: The Vermont Community Foundation Grants $380,500 in Fourth Round of Funding from VT COVID-19 Response Fund
• July 2020: The Vermont Community Foundation Announces $555,000 in Fifth Round of VT COVID-19 Response Fund Grants Focused on Basic Needs

Phase Two of grantmaking included six initiatives that built on the Community Foundation’s existing commitment to closing the opportunity gap and addressing deep demographic challenges faced by Vermont communities. Each recovery initiative was grounded in data, relied on network and capacity building, and focused on systemic change.

• To stay up-to-date on all VT COVID-19 Response Fund recovery initiative grant rounds, visit the Stories & Announcements page.