The Walter Cerf Community Fund Announces Over $150,000 in Grants to Support Arts, Education, and Historic Preservation in Addison County and Across Vermont

From preserving historic landmarks and expanding arts education to strengthening health services and supporting families, 33 community-based projects across Vermont will receive $153,750 through the Walter Cerf Community Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation.

Each year, the fund supports a wide range of charitable needs across Vermont, with most grants benefiting organizations serving Addison County and Brandon, while also supporting select organizations providing statewide services.

This year’s grants strengthen community vitality through projects that expand access to arts and cultural programming, preserve historic places, expand health and wellness services, and provide critical support to families and individuals across Vermont.

This year’s grants also include two larger, one-time awards. The Ethan and Mary Baker Allen DAR Chapter received $20,000 to help preserve the Samson Memorial building in Cornwall, and the Eddy Farm School for Horse and Rider Corporation received $10,000 to expand its outdoor arena for therapeutic, educational, and scholarship programming.

The next Walter Cerf Community Fund grant round will open in the spring of 2027. To learn more, visit vermontcf.org/cerf.

2026 Grant Recipients

• Addison County Relocalization Network received $5,000 to continue its Farmacy program, an initiative addressing diet-related chronic illness and food insecurity, into this upcoming winter season.
• Atria Collective received $3,500 in general operating support, including the Emergency Survivor Support Program, which provides flexible emergency assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Addison County.
• Counseling Service of Addison County was awarded $2,500 for general operating support. The organization provides mental health, substance use, youth and family services, and emergency and crisis services throughout Addison County.
• Eddy Farm School for Horse and Rider Corporation received $10,000 to support the expansion of its outdoor arena for therapeutic and educational programming.
• Ethan and Mary Baker Allen DAR Chapter received $20,000 to support historical preservation of the Samson Memorial building, a library and resource center for educational programming.
• Flynn Center for the Performing Arts received $5,000 to expand its 2026-2027 Student Matinee Series, helping students of all backgrounds experience live performing arts.
• Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History was awarded $5,000 for general operating support. The museum is currently working on a new exhibit, Making Home: Immigration, Memory, and Belonging in Vermont, which explores the state’s immigration history through archival materials and objects.
• Lake Champlain Maritime Museum received $5,000 to support access to their educational programs, which are designed to strengthen students’ connections to Lake Champlain’s ecology, history, and archaeology.
• Lund Family Center received $2,500 in general operating support. Among the organization’s many programs is the Post Permanency Services Program, which provides parenting education, coaching, support groups, referrals to adoption-competent providers, and connections to community resources for participating families.
• Middlebury Community Music Center received $5,000 to support and grow its Music Together in Schools program that provides music enrichment to underserved youth in Addison County.
• Otter Creek Child Center received $5,000 for the Migrant Family Support Program, which provides early childhood education and comprehensive family support services to migrant and seasonal farmworker families.
• Pathways Vermont was awarded $2,500 to purchase move-in kits for participants in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, which provides housing and intensive community-based services to individuals with histories of homelessness and institutionalization.
• Rutland Area Art Association (dba Chaffee Art Center) was awarded $2,500 for general operating support. The Center aims to foster creativity through diverse educational programming in their 1890s historic mansion.
• The Corner School Resource Center of Granville received $1,450 to support three free summer art and writing workshops that are accessible to all members of the Granville community.
• The Vermont Granite Museum of Barre received $2,300 to restore a wood half-glass exterior door, the only historic exterior door remaining in the Jones Brothers Company granite plant.
• Town Hall Theatre received $5,000 to support and expand their school programs, offering free outreach to nearby towns within the Addison Central School District, along with free travel for students.
• Turning Point of Addison County was awarded $5,000 for general operating support. The organization offers peer-led recovery for individuals, families, and allies impacted by substance use and other addictive behaviors.
• Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired was awarded $2,000 to support their SMART Device Training Program, helping clients combat social isolation by connecting with friends and family online.
• Vermont Historical Society was awarded $5,000 for general operating support. The Society is currently working on a project that provides professional development and support for the League of Local Historical Societies and Museums through workshops, training, and guidance.
• Vermont Stage Company was awarded $2,500 to support their three in-school education programs, which bring professional theatre to students across the state, with a specific focus on economically disadvantaged schools.
• Vermont Symphony Orchestra was awarded $3,500 to support the Musicians in Schools program, which brings live performance, audience participation, and storytelling to schools in Addison County and across the state.

2025 Multi-Year Grant Recipients

• Addison Central Teens received another $5,000 for their Adulting 101 program, which empowers teens to build independence and increase their social and economic mobility through learning vital life skills like budgeting, cooking, and job readiness.
• Addison County Community Action Group (dba HOPE) received another $5,000 in general operating support. HOPE provides access to nutritious food and assistance with housing and utility payments to Addison County residents.
• Addison County Community Trust received another $5,000 in general operating support. The Trust ensures the development, management, and maintenance of safe, quality, affordable homes for families, seniors, and individuals.
• Addison County Home Health and Hospice received another $5,000 for general operating support. The organization provides high-quality, comprehensive community home health care to residents of Addison County, regardless of ability to pay.
• Addison County Readers received another $4,000 to support their Books at Birth collaborative project with Porter Birthing Center, which gifts every child leaving the hospital with a book and enrollment brochure for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
• Community Health Services of Addison County (dba Open Door Clinic) received another $5,000 in general operating support. The Clinic provides access to free, quality healthcare services to those who are uninsured or underinsured until a permanent healthcare provider can be established.
• Elderly Services received another $5,000 for general operating support focused on nursing services at Project Independence.
• John Graham Shelter received another $5,000 for general operating support to maintain essential services at their shelter in Vergennes.
• Middlebury Studio School received another $3,500 for general operating support to continue providing accessible, high-quality education in their community arts school.
• Opera Company of Middlebury received another $3,500 for general operating support. The nationally recognized regional opera company nurtures emerging talent through two youth-centered opera programs.
• Preservation Trust of Vermont received another $5,000 to support the Robert Sincerbeaux Fund, which offers matching grants for historical building preservation assessments.
• Shelburne Museum received another $2,500 for general operating support to enhance their educational programming, exhibitions, and visitor accessibility.