"With each of these initiatives, the issues underlying them are systemic and they pre-date the pandemic. We're asking the question, 'What's the role for philanthropy and for a community foundation in addressing them across Vermont communities with an eye on the long-term?' We believe that doing so is fundamental to the long term resilience of Vermont communities as we come out of this pandemic and face the years ahead."
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Downtown Brattleboro 48-Hour Campaign
On Friday, April 3rd, the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance kicked off a 48-hour gift card challenge where every online gift card purchased from a downtown Brattleboro business would be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 by a generous local donor. The matching gift cards would be distributed via The Retreat Farm's Pick-Up-A-Pantry Program, a COVID-19 specific initiative that gives out weekly grocery bags of staples to 50 families in need.
By the end of the 48-hour challenge, four other donors had stepped up through the weekend to extend the match. In the end, $13,000 of angel donor money contributed to a total impact of $57,503 contributed to downtown businesses.
Trust, hope, love, and financial support is why this 48-hour challenge was created. My hope is that it gives our businesses a small runway to figure out their next step. Stephanie Bonin, executive director of the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance
