The Vermont Women's Fund

08/14/2026

As women and girls in Vermont and around the world face growing challenges, stories of courage, resilience, and leadership matter more than ever.

This year, the Vermont Women's Fund is honored to welcome Shabana Basij-Rasikh, founder of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) and Middlebury College graduate to the stage for our Annual Celebration on September 17, 2026.

Get your tickets today! 🔗give.gofundme.com/vwfac202

07/08/2026

The Vermont Women's Fund is proud to partner with Merck Forest and Farmland Center to recognize the women leading, teaching, managing, and caring for Vermont’s working lands and forests. The partnership supports a series of programs throughout 2026 that place women's leadership at the center of Vermont’s stewardship story.

Join us on July 11 for "Women in the Woods: A Conversation Honoring Women's Leadership in Stewardship." Vermont Women's Fund Director Emily Bush will moderate an engaging conversation with four women whose work is advancing conservation, science, and community across Vermont.

🔗 Head to the Merck Forest website to register for upcoming events: https://www.merckforest.org/programs-and-events

Join the conversation at this special event: Women in the Woods: A Conversation Honoring Women's Leadership in Stewardship featuring four women doing extraordinary work at the intersection of forests, science, and community.
Jul 11, 2026, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
In the summer of 1971, the first all-female crew from the Student Conservation Association came to work at Merck Forest. Fifty-five years later, we're marking that moment by looking at women's leadership in stewardship and what still lies ahead.

Led and moderated by Emily Bush, Director, Vermont Women's Fund, with Bear LeVangie, Founder, Women's Tree Climbing Workshop, Marguerite Holloway, Author, Take to the Trees, Judith Schwartz, Author and science storyteller

The conversation will be wide-ranging, covering what women have built in conservation in the past, what we are doing now, and what kinds of leadership the land needs next. Signed copies of Take to the Trees will be available for purchase at the event.

This program is part of a series honoring the legacy of the 1971 SCA crew and the women who have shaped Merck Forest since. Supported by the Vermont Women's Fund and in collaboration with Northshire Books.

Free and open to the public. Please RSVP at merckforest.org

Since 1994, the Vermont Women’s Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, has served as Vermont’s largest philanthropic resource dedicated exclusively to women and girls. For more than 30 years, the Vermont Women’s Fund has awarded over $5 million in grants to support the advancement, self-sufficiency, and economic and social equity of women and girls across Vermont.

05/05/2026

Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how capital can be a force for good, join the Northern New England Women's Investor Network for conversation, inspiration, and practical insight into the power of women investing in communities. The event is this coming Monday, May 11, 5-7 pm in Rutland. Tickets are free, and you will receive location details when you register.

Capital with Purpose: Women Investors Building Stronger Communities May 11, 2026 Mad Rose, Rutland, VT 5pm to 7:00pm ET Cash bar with light hors d’oeuvres Join the Vermont Women’s Investors Network for an engaging conversation with four women leaders who are reshaping how capital flows...

04/24/2026

Honoring the women who volunteer on the Women’s Fund Council during this National Volunteer Week. They spend hundreds of hours every year in support of our grantmaking, fundraising, events, and outreach across all corners of Vermont. Each brings their own unique blend of experiences and skills from their professional and personal lives to make our state a place where all women and girls thrive.

Learn more about our council at: https://vermontwomensfund.org/about-us/council/

Photo shows the Vermont Women’s Fund council members, Director Emily Bush, and special guest Kerry O’Brien.

04/17/2026

Make plans for May!
Our Director Emily Bush and Vermont Works for Women Executive Director Rhoni Basden are the featured speakers at the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce's Women in Leadership Luncheon on May 13th. Join us at Hildene's Lincoln Hall to celebrate women receiving awards and our Women, Work & Wages report.

https://www.swvtchamber.com/womenluncheon

04/15/2026

Join the Northern New England Women’s Investor Network for an engaging conversation with four women leaders who are reshaping how capital flows into communities. This event will highlight women-led Vermont-based investment funds and development organizations that are financing innovative companies, strengthening regional economies, and driving positive social and environmental change.

Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how capital can be a force for good, this conversation will offer inspiration and practical insight into the power of women investing in communities.

The event is free, and registration is required. The Rutland location will be shared when you register. Light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

04/15/2026

Coming to Rutland on May 11: Capital with Purpose

We are excited to sponsor this evening with Northern New England Women's Investor Network next month, May 11th from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets are free and the location will be shared with those who register.

Designed for investors, entrepreneurs, and people simply interested in how capital can be a force for good who want to be in conversation and gain practical insights into the power of women investing in communities. The event is intentionally structured for:
- Women who are curious about investing but unsure where to start
- Women philanthropists who want to learn more about how they can use philanthropy and investing to have a greater positive impact on their community
- Women who already invest and want to bring friends into the conversation
- Women interested in aligning their money with community, gender equity, and impact.

More details and link to register:

Capital with Purpose: Women Investors Building Stronger Communities May 11, 2026 Mad Rose, Rutland, VT 5pm to 7:00pm ET Cash bar with light hors d’oeuvres Join the Vermont Women’s Investors Network for an engaging conversation with four women leaders who are reshaping how capital flows...