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Crisis & Disaster Giving

Vermonters look out for one another.

Want to know how to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene?

2 people surveying flooding destruction and mud in Vermont
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image credit: John Lazenby

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When a disaster strikes, we all feel the impact and look for ways to offer help. The Vermont Community Foundation stands ready to connect donors with our neighbors in need—both here at home and around the world.

By The Numbers

$12M +

For 2023 Flood Relief

Made possible by over 9,000 of our fundholders, corporations, and individual donors who entrusted us to distribute grants across the state.

$10M +

Covid-19 Relief

Filled critical state and federal funding gaps for over 500 nonprofits that supported Vermont’s most vulnerable populations.

$4M +

Tropical Storm Irene Recovery

Primarily focused on the Mobile Home Relief Fund and Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund to those disproportionately impacted by the storm.

Nothing Happens in a Crisis Without Partners

VCF team members in front of table

July 2023 Flooding

In the summer of 2023, Vermont faced devastating floods that ravaged towns across 14 of 17 Vermont counties. Within 24 hours, the VCF launched the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund. Our grants supported rural communities, urgent needs, housing, mental health, and businesses, including direct grants to farmers. As of 2024, we continue to focus on these issues and watershed resilience.

Group of people holding check for Covid Response Fund

VT COVID-19 Response Fund

In March 2020, as the pandemic hit Vermont, the VCF stood up the COVID-19 Response Fund to support nonprofits addressing urgent public health and economic impacts. In subsequent phases, we focused on long-term economic recovery, mental health support, and community resilience. These lessons enhanced our grantmaking strategies, strengthening our response to the 2023 flood.

A road washes out during the July flooding in Vermont 2023.

Irene Response & Recovery

In 2011, Irene unleashed unprecedented devastation across Vermont, flooding towns, destroying homes, severing critical infrastructure, and stranding thousands on washed-out roads. With immediate support from our fundholders, local businesses, and partners we mobilized to provide aid. Our collective efforts helped individuals, families, farms and businesses recover and rebuild.

“The Vermont Community Foundation was one of the first that reached out to CVOEO to help in the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding we received allowed our staff to change gears and work with CVOEO’s overstretched food shelves. Many of the donors to the VT COVID-19 Response Fund may be unknown, but they are not at all forgotten. To say I’m grateful is to minimize your impact—thank you!”

Jan Demers

CVOEO Executive Director (2020)

“I've decided to make a second gift to the VT COVID-19 Response Fund, knowing that the funds raised will be well coordinated by all of you and sent out where the need is greatest in our State.”

Jan Blomstrann

Fundholder

“I can’t let money just sit in my fund while this crisis is happening. It only makes sense to put it to work now.”

Miriam Meyer

Fundholder

“I know that New Farms for New Americans can and will rebuild and recover, but what about the farmers? How do they recoup their financial losses? And then the Community Foundation wrote this most glorious email. No additional work at a time of triage and crisis. Just a question: where do we mail the check?”

Alisha Laramee

Program Manager at New Farms for New Americans (NFNA)

“We are honored that the Vermont Community Foundation recognizes the unique value and position that home health and hospice care provides to our community. Our staff is on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis providing essential services to our patients every day. Gifts like this from the VT COVID-19 Response Fund will help us address the overwhelming issues presented by caring for communities in crisis.”

Ron Cioffi

CEO of VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region (2020)

“As a business who was not directly impacted by the floods, we wanted to donate 10% of our July profits to those that lost so much. Stronger together.”

Geoffrey S., Peacham

Crisis & Disaster Giving FAQs

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Your contributions today help your neighbors rebuild tomorrow. Together, we can make a better Vermont for everyone.

Matt Bryan (left) and Olivia Glascoe, Lower Notch Berry Farm Bristol