The Community Foundation is seeking Letters of Interest (LOI) for projects and events in the visual, performing, music, and literary arts that create opportunities for positive social interaction, engagement, and collaboration. Projects should strengthen belonging and community cohesion in ways that are likely to persist and grow.

Ideally, people who experience a project funded through this program will feel that they have participated in something special, had a positive encounter with their neighbors, and become more connected to their community.

• Participatory mural projects
• Artist residencies that connect artists with community members for co-design and co-creation
• Public arts installations with community engagement elements
• Interactive musical or dance performances
• New choral collaborations
• Talent shows
• Hands-on workshops
• Free public classes and events

Funds may be used for salaries, benefits, contracted workers, project materials and equipment, reasonable overhead costs, and similar, necessary project expenses.

Priority will be given to new projects but existing programs that have a track record of success are eligible for this opportunity.

Successful projects will:

• Reach broad and diverse audiences, including those who may feel marginalized in their community
• Engage people as participants, co-designers, and co-creators
• Feature diverse artists as leaders and facilitators
• Create a safe, inclusive environment for creative expression
• Build new connections between neighbors
• Foster trust, fun, and resilience

• Capital costs and campaigns
• General operating support
• Performance ticket subsidies or scholarships that are not directly connected to community-building work
• Events and performances that do not have any components of audience or community participation
• Debt reduction or deficit funding
• Individuals (applicant should apply as part of a nonprofit organization, community group, municipality, or similar entity)
• Expenses that have already been incurred
• Programs with religious instruction
• Indirect expenses unrelated to the project such as fiscal sponsor fees, rent, or financing costs.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations, municipalities, or schools whose primary service area is in the state of Vermont. These might be arts organizations, libraries, museums, community centers, senior centers, youth programs, therapeutic programs, cultural organizations, or other entities. Projects without 501c3 status who have a fiscal sponsor are eligible.

We especially encourage LOIs from community-based organizations serving low-income youth, older adults, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Vermonters, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups.

All applicants to programs at the Vermont Community Foundation must meet the guidelines outlined in the General Applicant Guidelines and Requirements found on our For Nonprofits page.

The program will award grants up to $10,000. We intend to fund a range of project types and sizes in communities across the state with an average grant size of $7,500.

LOIs will be accepted between May 14 and June 11, 2024. LOIs must be received by 5PM on Tuesday, June 11 to be considered. LOIs must be submitted electronically through the Foundation’s Online Grants Manager (OGM); please see instructions below.

Following a review of all LOIs received, a smaller number of organizations will be invited to submit a full application for funding consideration. Organizations will be notified regarding the status of their LOI by July 2.

We anticipate inviting approximately 25 organizations to submit a full application.

Applications will be accepted between July 2 and August 6, 2024. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6 to be considered. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in late September.

All LOIs and applications must be submitted electronically. Visit the Resources for Grantseekers section on our For Nonprofits page to learn how and to register for a new account. Or, access your existing account. You may contact the grants and community impact team at grants@vermontcf.org or 802-388-3355 opt. 6 with any questions you have about the application process.

To help you prepare, preview a sample of the LOI form and preview a sample of the application. Please note that these are PDF samples and not the actual LOI or application. To view and begin working on the application, login to the Online Grants Manager (OGM).

With questions about the Arts & Social Cohesion grant program, please contact Andy Barker.

• Email: abarker@vermontcf.org
• Phone: 802-388-3355 ext. 382