People & Places Funds

Your VCF giving account may focus on enhancing specific regions, areas of interest, or groups within Vermont, allowing you to make a meaningful impact—whatever way you choose.

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image courtesy of Pride Rides

Are you passionate about hyper-local giving or supporting specific sectors such as the arts, youth, LGBTQ+, women and girls, or any cause close to your heart? Our People & Issue-Based programs and our Regional & Placed-Based programs make up our People & Places Funds.

From bigger towns and cities to the rural corners, and within different communities and affinity groups, similar issues arise, but strategies differ.

2 adults helping a young child learn how to use a loom

Arts & Social Cohesion

Community Engagement Through the Arts: The sense of belonging and connection people feel in their community has a powerful influence on mental and physical health. At a time of polarization, disruption, and disconnection, the arts can help bring people back together to work, play, create, and solve problems at the community level—which has meaningful impacts on belonging and well-being. The Arts & Social Cohesion grant program is made possible by a VCF donor advised fundholder.

a group of young students who have participated in the Young Hacks Academy program

Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth

Youth Empowerment: When young people in a community thrive, they make their communities more vibrant. Established in 2018, the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth is a growing fund with the goal of ensuring an enduring source of revenue for dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford.

People walk in the pride parade on Church Street in Burlington Vermont surrounded by rainbow flags.

The Samara Fund

Fostering a More Inclusive Vermont: The Samara Fund is a group of Queer and Trans Vermonters committed to a vision of transformational grants and scholarships to the people and groups throughout Vermont who demonstrate their dedication to the empowerment, health, and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV positive (LGBTQ+) people.

Vermont Women's Fund

Women's Empowerment: Established in 1994, the Vermont Women’s Fund works to improve the lives of young women and girls in Vermont by targeting philanthropic giving, forging statewide strategic partnerships, funding research, and supporting programs that address their fundamental economic, educational, and social needs.

Three kids stand next to their bicycles with Vermont mountains in the distance.

Northeast Kingdom Fund

For the Kingdom, By the Kingdom: Established in 2011, the Northeast Kingdom Fund supports opportunities in which a modest grant can leverage a new idea or other grant dollars, or make possible a project or idea that will benefit the people and communities of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties.

See All Funds, Foundations, & Grant Programs