Thanks to the Northshire Nonprofit Network Meeting for sharing the notes from their July 6, meeting at the Mark Skinner Library.
Next Meeting: Friday, August 3 at 8 AM at the Manchester Town Office. We will be meeting with officials from the Town of Manchester with intent to get to know each other! Open dialogue, communicate, share strengths and opportunities. A notice will be sent in advance of the meeting with some talking points - we would love any ideas YOU may have regarding discussion topics or things to mention. Please hit reply with ideas you may have!
July’s Guest Speaker: Jen Peterson, Vice-Present for Community Grantmaking, The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF).
Topic:New Grants and Support Services to Nonprofits Provided by VCF
With $150 million in assets the VCF has $15 million to be awarded in grants. VCF awards grants in three categories:
1. Small and Inspiring: One year grant- goals are to connect to land and community
2. Innovative and Collaborative: Problem-solving across “sections” having non-profits teaming up and “talking” to each other to help achieve goals.
3. Big Impact: Focus is on Food and Farm for the next 5 years. This grant needs to impact statewide, not just one or two communities.
Key in all of this is the ability to write a grant which VCF is willing to help with (they will not write your proposal for you). They will offer suggestions to help increase your chances especially if you have been turned down. The more communities, nonprofits, projects, people impacted you involve in your grant proposal; the better your chances are of being chosen.
When Ms. Peterson was finished speaking the floor was opened for a Q & A session.
Meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Joy Slusarek.
Contact information for speaker Jen Peterson: email: jpeterson@vermontcf.org, 802-388-3355 ext. 288
For more information on VCF visit their website: www.vermontcf.org
