The Vermont Women’s Fund Announces $102,900 in Competitive Grants

The Vermont Women’s Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, awarded $102,900 through its competitive grant program to 12 organizations that work to improve the economic security of women and girls in Vermont.

“As the first and largest women-focused philanthropic resource in Vermont, we are committed to catalyzing greater change,” says Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund. “The nonprofits receiving these grants provide services to address proven barriers to low-income women and girls and offer programs that act as pathways to improved career opportunities.”

This year’s grantmaking was funded in part through the Vermont Community Foundation’s Giving Together program, which shares grant proposals with its fundholders and invites them to co-fund projects. The support of these fundholders demonstrates the importance of philanthropic collaboration and partnership in advancing the good work being done for women and girls around the state.

In addition to its annual competitive grant round, the Women’s Fund also supports Change The Story. This initiative of three statewide organizations with a longstanding focus on women’s economic well-being also includes the Vermont Commission on Women and Vermont Works for Women.

Established in 1994 as a component fund of the Community Foundation, the mission of the Vermont Women’s Fund is to help provide pathways to viable careers and economic self-sufficiency for women and girls. Since its founding, the Fund has granted out more than $2 million to Vermont-based nonprofit organizations. Visit vermontwomensfund.org to learn more.

Vermont Women’s Fund 2018 Competitive Grants

Capstone Community Action received $10,000 to support a program that empowers young women as mothers and role models for their children, coupled with critical early development for their child, to break the poverty cycle.

Center for Women & Enterprise received $5,000 to provide 12 women in Rutland with over 36 hours each of entrepreneurial education that will improve their financial literacy as they start new businesses, which will in turn create jobs and drive economic growth.

Generator received $4,000 to support a free career exploration event for young women in grades 9-12 featuring hands-on workshops and action stations highlighting careers in the skilled trades.

Governor's Institutes of Vermont received $10,000 that will allow 340 young women to participate in the Institutes’ intensive learning residencies to grow self-confidence, build job and college readiness, and create new understanding of pathways to their career goals.

Howard Center received $10,000 to provide housing and support to help women transitioning from prison to the community that will build the foundation necessary for a sober, healthy, and independent life.

John Graham Shelter received $5,000 to help homeless young women build resiliency, explore housing and career options, and envision a safe, abundant future through weekly peer groups, skills training, career field trips, and the help of role models.

NewStory Center received a two-year grant totaling $23,000 to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence who seek economic security by offering training and experience at local businesses—creating pathways to viable careers.

Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center received $6,400 for their MedQuest program which provides high school students with six-day college campus programs focused on intensive healthcare career exploration.

The DREAM Program received $5,000 to give 10-12 young women living in low-income housing the opportunity to advocate for themselves through participation in the Young Women's Leadership Council which includes training retreats and summer employment programs.

United Way of Lamoille County received $10,000 to support a residential program designed to provide educational and employment opportunities to low-income, single parents to further their education, increase their wages, and provide a life free of public assistance to their families. 

Vermont Technical College received $10,000 for their Girls’ Coder Camps which aim to get middle and high school students interested in STEM and technical fields early and introduce more girls to computer coding.

WonderArts Vermont received $4,500 to support a program that encourages entrepreneurship in young women and girls through a series of speaker events, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities.