The Samara Fund Announces $38,105 in Grants to Support Vermont’s LGBTQ Community

The Samara Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, has granted $38,105 to twelve nonprofit organizations in its ninth annual competitive grant round. In addition, the Fund gave five scholarships to graduating seniors from Brattleboro, Colchester, Hinesburg, Springfield, and St. Johnsbury in recognition of their advocacy and leadership in support of LGBTQ issues within their schools and communities.

With pandemic safety measures in place, LGBTQ organizations are facing increased programming costs to maintain close connections with the people they serve. Community connection is vital to supporting LGBTQ Vermonters, especially youth and those living in rural areas, many of whom are struggling with mental health, isolation, and food insecurity, among other challenges stemming from the pandemic. 

As a result, this year the Samara Fund’s grant committee prioritized: Programs that serve LGBTQ youth and allies; Extending or establishing new services in rural and underserved areas of the state; Support and services for transgender Vermonters; LGBTQ-competent health care and HIV/AIDS supports and services; and Anti-bullying programming.

The Samara Fund’s vision is to be Vermont’s leading source of permanent support dedicated to nurturing the vitality, success, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities through dynamic and sustained philanthropy. For more information, visit the Samara Fund.

2020 GRANTS

• AIDS Project of Southern Vermont received $3,500 to provide direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS and prevention services to those at most risk in Windham, Bennington, and southern Windsor counties.

• Chandler Center for the Arts received $3,500 to support the tenth season of Vermont Pride Theater productions in 2020-21.

• Epsilon Spires received $2,105 to support Drag Queen Story Hour: Introducing glamorous, positive queer role models to children through books.

• Out in the Open received $3,500 to support programs and services that create connections and community for rural LGBTQ people living in Southern Vermont.

• Green Mountain Library Consortium received $2,000 for its Even More LUV LGBTQ audiobook collection.

• New England Center for Circus Arts received $3,500 in support of LGBTQ youth circus scholarships.

• Outright Vermont received $3,500 to support programs and services that create hope, equity, and power for LGBTQ Vermont youth around the state.

• Pride Center of Vermont received $3,500 to support the statewide Transpire Program that provides outreach and one-on-one counseling for transgender Vermonters.

• Twin States Network received $3,500 to support its peer-based support services for individuals living with HIV infection in Vermont and New Hampshire. 

• Vermont CARES received $3,500 to support its programs for Vermonters affected by HIV/AIDS that promote well-being through a continuum of prevention, support, and advocacy services.

• Vermont Folklife Center received $3,500 to support the Pride 1983! exhibit, which examines the development and continuation of Pride celebrations in Vermont through interviews, posters, pamphlets, and news coverage.

• Vermont PWA Coalition received $2,500 for general operating support to help improve the lives of HIV+ Vermonters through services like virtual retreats, stigma reduction, and health supplement discounts.