Funding Preferences

The Foundation will fund projects or programs in the following areas:

• Human Rights: Domestic projects that apply a human rights framework to their organizing, education, policy and/or legal work, and that engage constituents who are directly affected by the issues.
  
  Areas of preference include: prison reform, anti-death penalty work, civil rights and population issues specific to women and children.
  
  
• Environmental Preservation and Restoration: Organizing and policy work that protects and restores the natural environment and seeks to minimize the human impact on our ecosystem.
  
  Areas of interest include: pollution, climate change, and alternative energy.
  

The Foundation will also consider grants for the following:

• Sustainable Agriculture: Projects that encourage local agriculture and food distribution. Vermont and New England-based organizations are given preference.
  
  
• Capacity Building. Organizations, working in our areas of interest, may apply for a three-year capacity building grant of up to $20,000 per year to address important management and governance issues. The Foundation is particularly interested in proposals that increase organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Projects may include, but are not limited to: staff and leadership development, board development, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, and communications. One Capacity Building grant may be given out annually, during our Spring funding cycle. Organizations interested in applying for Capacity Building funding should speak with Foundation staff before submitting a proposal.

The Foundation wishes to be dynamic and capable of responding to the changing needs of society. We may consider projects that are not included in these categories but are of special interest to members of the board.

Types of Projects We Fund
Our preference is to always focus on alleviating the root cause of a problem—working toward lasting and systemic change. However, we realize that by being a small foundation, perhaps the best we can do is to treat the symptoms. The Foundation will give preference to unconventional and innovative projects that may not receive funding from more traditional funding sources. Collaborative efforts between organizations, where appropriate, are encouraged.

Types of Requests Not Eligible for Funding
The Foundation will not consider grants for colleges and universities, travel, scholarships, new construction, audio-visual productions, or endowments; nor will we consider grants to religious organizations for religious purposes, grants in the medical field, or grants to individuals. The Foundation tends not to fund CSA projects or provide grants for direct services.

Size of Grants
Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000, and the average is $10,000.

Geography
The Foundation funds US-based organizations doing national and international work. Preference is given to organizations working in Vermont and other New England states.

Term of Grants
Grants will be made for one year. Multi-year grant applications may be considered.

Discrimination Policy
The Foundation does not discriminate, nor will it support organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation, and/or religious beliefs.