Community Roundup: Sept. 21
Rokeby Museum seeking new members for board of trustees
Rokeby Museum has openings for new members of its board of trustees starting in January 2024.
Trustees serve a three-year term for the 90-acre National Historic Landmark and Underground Railroad site in Ferrisburgh.
The Rokeby Museum is committed to social justice, diversity, inclusion and historic preservation and interpretation of the Robinson family’s homestead in a historical context. Submit letters of interest by Oct. 9 to executive director Lindsay Houpt-Varner at [email protected]. More information about the museum.
Final $1.9 million in COVID relief distributed to creative sector
The Vermont Arts Council announced $1,931,000 in awards to 85 creative sector organizations and businesses in its final round of funding through the Creative Futures Grant program, marking the end of this unprecedented investment in Vermont’s creative sector. The program has distributed more than $8.8 million to 233 organizations and businesses across the state since December 2022.
Three of those 85 recipients were from Charlotte — Clemmons Family Farm and Vermontfare, Inc., each received $45,000 and Woody Keppel SP received $5,000.
Supported by funds from Vermont’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act, the program aims to provide relief to one of the state’s economic sectors hit hardest by COVID. Funding of up to $200,000 was available to Vermont-based creative economy nonprofits and for-profit entities, including sole proprietors, demonstrating economic harm caused by or exacerbated by the pandemic.
Distributions were made in three rounds, which began in January 2023. Applications that were not funded in one round could be reconsidered in subsequent rounds.
Applications were evaluated by external review panels for severity of pandemic harm, community and cultural impact, and economic impact.
Of the 85 recipients, 38 were nonprofits and 47 were for-profits. Recipients were from across Vermont and represented all seven segments of the creative economy: performing arts; visual arts and crafts; culture and heritage; design; film and media; literary arts and publishing; and specialty foods. The highest category was performing arts with 37 recipients.
“This historic investment enables business and nonprofits in Vermont’s important creative sector to find their footing once again and plan for the future,” said Vermont Arts Council executive director Susan Evans McClure.
It’s fall which means it’s SCHIP application season
The autumn deadline for SCHIP (Shelburne Charlotte Hinesburg Interfaith Projects) grant applications is Sunday, Oct. 15. Many non-profits have used their awarded funds to improve the lives of our neighbors and strengthen our communities.
Grants range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. In addition to our standard grant process for grants up to $3,000, the organization is adding a major grant category for up to $15,000 to fund the necessary seed money to be used for future self-sustaining projects.
Applicant requirements:
- Be a 501c(3) or submit the application through such an organization.
- Projects must serve residents of Shelburne, Charlotte or Hinesburg.
- Funds may not be applied to annual operating budgets or permanent staffing.
- Major grants also require a detailed business plan.
For specific requirements and to obtain an application, go to schipstreasure.org/apply-for-a-grant.