Closing the Opportunity Gap

New circumstances require new approaches.

Closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves many Vermonters struggling to build bright, secure futures no matter how hard they work—is the cornerstone of our mission. No one should be held back by their zip code, income level, the color of their skin, or any aspect of their identity. In a world upended by COVID-19, systemic racism, and growing economic inequity, the role of philanthropy in addressing these conditions has evolved.

Learn more about our new strategies in this video from Vice President for Grants and Community Impact Holly Morehouse.

Five New Areas of Impact

We have identified five impact areas central to both individual prosperity and community vitality. These impact areas build on our work to close the opportunity gap, while incorporating important learnings from the past few years.

• Click the image to view larger

  Economic Equity
• Education & Training
• Health & Wellbeing
• Climate & the Environment
• Democracy, Trust, & Community Leadership

Expansive and dynamic by design and with principles of equity embedded throughout, these five impact areas provide an updated framework for how we work with nonprofits, donors and fundholders, grantees, and partners across Vermont. Opportunities to learn together, build deeper understanding, and move forward with flexibility and trust are inherent to our approach.

Grounded in place, informed by data, rooted in equity.

Ryegate’s challenges are different from Rutland’s. Brattleboro’s priorities are not the same as Bennington’s. While embracing the commonalities that make us all Vermonters, the impact areas and strategies for progress within recognize the unique needs of each geographic region­–place by place, community by community.

That keen attention to place is complemented by our deep commitment to:

• Curiosity and mutual learning
• Advancing equity and antiracism
• Trust and flexibility in grantmaking
  
  

What does this mean for you?

For our donors and fundholders, it’s an invitation and an opportunity to deepen engagement with the Community Foundation. To not only give together, but learn together for greater impact. To not only respond to pressing needs, but to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient Vermont for future generations.

For grantees, this means operational grants to core nonprofit partners, bringing together groups of organizations with expertise in specific areas to deepen understanding, simplified application processes, and funding innovative new approaches, among other initiatives.

Join our work to close the opportunity gap!

• Learn more: Read this Q&A on the impact areas with VP of Grants and Community Impact, Holly Morehouse.
• Talk with an advisor: Set up a meeting with your philanthropic advisor at philanthropy@vermontcf.org to learn more about special giving opportunities for fundholders.
• Subscribe to the Insight Hub: Learn how philanthropy can impact the issues you care about.
• Apply for a grant: Get in touch with our Grants and Community Impact team at grants@vermontcf.org.
• Open a fund: A donor advised fund or a discretionary fund at the Foundation can help you make the most of your charitable giving.
  
  
  

Five Areas of Impact to Close the Opportunity Gap: