Crosby-Gannett Fund

The Crosby-Gannett Fund is a grant program administered by the Vermont Community Foundation, established to promote initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Brattleboro area. Originally founded as the Crosby Foundation in December 1951 by Charles R. Crosby, a Brattleboro native, the foundation was created to support local community needs. In December 2008, the Crosby Foundation was dissolved and its assets were used to establish the Crosby-Gannett Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation in 2009. The name "Gannett" was added in 2012 to honor Senator Robert T. Gannett, who served the Crosby Foundation as Secretary-Treasurer for over 50 years. The purpose of the Crosby-Gannett Fund is to contribute to the vitality and betterment of the Brattleboro area. Beginning in 2023, the Fund adopted a new giving strategy in which it awards a single three-year grant each year to one organization. The grant provides $7,500 per year, for a total of $22,500 over the grant period. This multi-year commitment is designed to offer consistent and meaningful capacity-building support for innovative and impactful initiatives. Grants can be used for programs, capital projects, and operational expenses. However, the Fund does not allow its grants to be used for endowments or to cover operational deficits. The Fund has a clear focus on supporting small, community-based organizations or discrete projects within larger entities. If an applicant has a budget over $1 million, they must provide a compelling rationale for the grant’s impact and explain why the project cannot be funded through existing budget resources. Proposals are evaluated on a set of guiding criteria, including the ability to address a specific community challenge, clearly articulated goals and outcomes, the extent to which the project enhances social or cultural connection, leadership strength, inclusivity for historically marginalized communities, environmental consciousness, potential to expand or improve services, and the capacity to leverage other funding or partnerships. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipal entities that serve the Brattleboro area. Applications must align with the broader guidelines of the Vermont Community Foundation, available on the “For Nonprofits” section of its website. To be considered, applications must be submitted during the designated application window and adhere strictly to the requirements. For the 2026 cycle, the application window runs from March 17 to April 28, 2026, with a submission deadline of 5:00 PM ET on April 28. The anticipated notification of decisions will occur by June 2026. Grant funds cannot retroactively cover previously incurred costs and are intended for activities occurring between June 2026 and June 2029. There is no requirement for a pre-application such as a letter of intent or concept paper. Applicants should prepare a detailed proposal in line with the program guidelines, including a clear explanation of how the funding will be used and the anticipated community impact. The fund aims to support projects that are ready to launch and can benefit from a stable funding stream over a three-year period. All notifications regarding funding decisions will be sent via email, and applicants can follow up through their Online Grants Manager accounts. For any questions or clarifications, applicants are encouraged to contact Jane Mulcahy at the Vermont Community Foundation via email at [email protected] or by phone at 802-388-3355 ext. 381. The Vermont Community Foundation is located at 3 Court Street, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Proposals should clearly define goals and outcomes, identify strong project leaders, and demonstrate specific community impact.