The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund, administered by the Vermont Community Foundation, is accepting applications from organizations dedicated to preserving and enhancing the physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environments within the communities of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock, Vermont. This grant program is designed to support initiatives that align with the Rockefeller family's legacy of environmental stewardship and community well-being, fostering a holistic approach to local development. The Fund seeks to empower organizations that are deeply rooted in these specific Vermont towns and actively contribute to their vibrancy and sustainability.
The target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations serving one or more of the designated communities: Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock. The primary impact goal is to support efforts that maintain and improve the unique characteristics and quality of life in these rural Vermont towns. This includes fostering a sense of community, preserving natural resources, promoting cultural heritage, and enhancing the overall health and wellness of residents. The Fund's strategic priority is to invest in community-led initiatives that demonstrate a clear commitment to these areas, reflecting a theory of change that local organizations are best equipped to identify and address the specific needs of their communities.
The Fund prioritizes requests for both general operating support and project/program-specific funding. This flexibility allows organizations to address their most pressing needs, whether it be sustaining ongoing services or launching new impactful projects. However, the Fund explicitly states that it does not make grants to individuals or support capital or endowment campaigns, ensuring that resources are directed towards direct program delivery and operational stability. This focus ensures that the grants have an immediate and tangible impact on the target communities.
Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, providing crucial financial assistance to smaller-scale, community-focused initiatives. While a specific grant duration is not mentioned, the emphasis on general operating or project/program support suggests a focus on immediate to short-term impact. Expected outcomes include stronger community bonds, improved environmental health, preserved cultural traditions, and enhanced wellness opportunities for residents within the specified towns. Measurable results would be tied to the specific objectives of the funded projects, such as the number of community members served, acres of land preserved, cultural events held, or wellness programs implemented, all contributing to the overarching mission of the Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund.
