The Vermont Community Foundation

08/28/2026

Experience the magic of the arts, right in your own community. This September, The Flynn's Playing Fields will bring free outdoor performances to schools and communities across Vermont, transforming familiar gathering places into spaces for creativity, connection, and wonder. From students to grandparents, these performances invite neighbors to come together and share unforgettable experiences.

Learn more and explore the statewide schedule: flynnvt.org/creative-learning/playing-fields

If you're attending the September 8 performance in Barre, be sure to stop by and say hello to our colleagues from The McClure Foundation. They'll be sharing Most Promising Jobs brochures and information about Community College of Vermont (CCV)'s free secondary education opportunities for high school students.

08/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the 10th annual Stowe Jazz Festival such a joy. With a special shout out to George Petit, the incredible musicians, volunteers, and organizers who helped bring this free celebration of music to our community.

This festival brings people together and we were thrilled to be part of the it. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to make a wildflower seed ball, spark a conversation, share a laugh, or meet someone new.

We're proud to support events like the Stowe Jazz Festival that remind us that thriving communities are built not only through the places we create, but through the moments we share together.

Until next year!

08/19/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of gathering with members of our VCF Legacy Society to celebrate the lasting impact of their generosity. Through bequests and other planned gifts, these thoughtful Vermonters are helping ensure the causes they care about continue to strengthen communities across our state for generations to come.

We even weathered a good old Vermont downpour together. In true Vermont fashion, hardly a beat was missed, and the conversation kept right on flowing. ☔️

Learn more about planned giving: plannedgiving.vermontcf.org

08/18/2026

Strong communities grow when people show up, share ideas, and work together.
We're proud to support the Vermont Community Leadership Summit. This year's event will feature practical sessions on community engagement, local leadership, volunteerism, economic vitality, and more. Whether you're a longtime community leader or looking for a way to get involved, there's something for everyone. We hope to see you in Castleton this fall!

This year’s Summit is grounded in the newly updated Vermont Community Leadership in Action Guide, which will shape workshops, panels, group discussions, and networking throughout the day. Sessions will explore practical tools and strategies for leadership including facilitation skills, community engagement and volunteerism, local economic vitality, advancing community projects, and more.

Whether you’re a longtime local leader or someone just beginning to get involved, you’ll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas you can bring home to your community. All people who care about their town and the future of our state are encouraged to attend. Register today at vtrural.org/summit Sliding scale ticket prices available

08/07/2026

Some awards are decided by judges. This one was decided by Vermonters. Congratulations to The Merrymac Farm Sanctuary, voted Best Nonprofit in this year's Seven Days Daisies Awards.

Every day, Merrymac creates a place of safety, compassion, and connection for rescued farm animals while inspiring countless visitors with what's possible when kindness leads the way.

We're honored to celebrate this recognition with a $10,000 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to help support Merrymac's work and the lives it continues to change.

Congratulations to the Merrymac team, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who helped make this well-deserved recognition possible.

08/06/2026

Help bring an important Vermont conversation to the national stage at SXSW .

The Vermont Community Foundation's President and CEO, Dan Smith, has an opportunity to present alongside Richard V Reeves, founding president of the American Institute for Boys & Men, at SXSW. Their proposed session explores lessons rural communities can share with the rest of the country, the challenges facing boys and men, and how Vermont's grassroots approach is helping spark meaningful conversations and solutions.

Public voting is open now to determine which sessions are selected.

Watch the proposal and cast your vote here: https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting-sxsw/page/community-voting/session/1784910745844001di70

08/05/2026

From vibrant downtowns to working lands and close-knit communities, the Upper Valley is a region where people come together to make a difference. Our new Upper Valley Community Impact Report explores the opportunities, challenges, and community-led efforts shaping the region's future.

Explore the report: vermontcf.org/uv-impact-report

07/30/2026

Funding is Now Available for Programs Supporting Bennington-Area Youth

Grants are available through the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the VCF to support dynamic, youth-focused programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford.

We are seeking proposals that:
• Bring young people together through accessible and creative programming
• Create, maintain, or expand places for youth to gather
• Increase inclusion and belonging
• Provide opportunity and access for youth facing hardships

Applications are due by Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Learn more and apply: vermontcf.org/ofsy

07/27/2026

VCF Director of Special Projects Lauren Curry joined filmmaker Chad Ervin on a recent episode of Across the Fence to talk about how Gone Guys Film has become more than a documentary. Together, they explore how storytelling, listening, and community dialogue are helping people across Vermont and beyond engage with the challenges facing boys and young men and turn conversations into meaningful action.

Watch here:

07/23/26 Join us for a preview of the film "Gone Guys" about the st...

07/20/2026

We're excited to share that the VCF's Spark Connecting Community grant program awarded over $139,000 to 31 organizations across Vermont bringing people together through art, youth programs, gardening, music, food, and more.

“The beauty of this grant program is the variety of projects we see across the state, all with the same purpose: bringing people together,” says Holly Morehouse, VCF's vice president of Community Impact.

These grants are a spark, helping local ideas grow into meaningful opportunities for neighbors to connect, strengthening community vitality and showing that even small investments can make a big difference. 💛

Learn more about these inspiring projects: vermontcf.org/spark-2026