Ready to reflect on what matters most to you?
Take a moment for a few fun, thought-provoking exercises to help you explore what matters most. No pressure, no right or wrong answers. Just a chance to pause and think about what inspires you.
Your answers might surprise you.
Keep going and find inspiration and actionable next steps in our Giving Guide—your roadmap to meaningful giving in Vermont: vermontcf.org/giving-guide
Balancing college, work, and motherhood, Kallie is building her path toward a nursing career.
Through CCV’s Early College program and Vermont’s Free Degree Promise, she earned her associate degree debt-free and is now continuing her nursing education at Vermont State University.
The Free Degree Promise is supported by the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation committed to career training and workforce development.
Read Kallie's story at: vermontcf.org/nursing-degree
Join our team as a Philanthropy Specialist and help support donor engagement, fundraising activities, and the day-to-day operations that power philanthropy across Vermont.
If you’re organized, collaborative, and passionate about community impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more and apply: vermontcf.org/careers
We can't stop thinking about this year's incredible Community Day at Shelburne Museum. People of every age slowed down, explored the grounds, and made space for connection. We watched simple conversations between strangers turn into laughter, understanding, and meaningful shared moments.
The Seed Swap was just as special with pollinator-friendly seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds exchanged alongside stories about gardens, growing seasons, and hopes for what’s next. Small exchanges that carried a bigger sense of care and possibility.
The day was full of a shared sense that community is something we actively create together. We’re grateful to everyone who showed up with openness, generosity, and a willingness to connect. And a special thank you to our friends at the @shelburnemuseum for welcoming us so warmly and helping create such a joyful, connected day.
A powerful moment at the Statehouse honoring Rep. Louvenia Dorsey Bright—Vermont’s first African American woman legislator—and the legacy of public service, courage, and community she leaves behind.
This photo also captures three layers of community support coming together in one moment. The portrait itself, made possible in part through early support from VCF fundholders and donors; a young filmmaker documenting the event as a part of the AALV African Youth Microcinema Project, supported through VCF's Arts & Social Cohesion grant program; and a reporter from The Other Paper, a member of the Vermont Journalism Coalition established by VCF's Press Forward Vermont initiative to strengthen local news.
One moment. Many ripples.
We’re grateful to the fundholders and donors whose generosity helps stories like these continue to be told, shared, and carried forward.
Join us this weekend for Community Day at the @shelburnemuseum 🌱
On Saturday, May 9, admission is free and the whole community is invited to gather, explore, and connect. Wander the galleries and gardens, enjoy music and tours, and take part in hands-on activities for all ages.
We’ll be there hosting two simple but meaningful ways to engage:
Neighbors, Not Strangers: Pull up a chair, pick a prompt card, and start a conversation. It’s a chance to slow down, share a story, and connect with someone new. Because strong communities begin with moments like these.
Seed Swap: Take home a pollinator-friendly seed mix, grown in Vermont by High Mowing Organic Seeds. A small celebration of what we can grow together and a reminder that thriving communities, like healthy gardens, depend on care, diversity, and connection.
We hope to see you there!
Biologist Kevin Tolan from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and herpetologist Jim Andrews led a field trip to a vernal pool in Salisbury on Earth Day. Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger and the volunteers saw some spotted salamander egg masses and learned about mapping these vibrant ecosystems. #vt #herps #herpsofinstagram
A new round of funding will soon be available to help a third cohort of small Vermont towns breathe new life into the historic buildings and spaces at the heart of their communities! Join @preservation_vt , @vtcommfoundation and VCRD for an informational session on June 17th at noon (applications will open on the same day). Community groups with a vision for their village that could be bolstered by this program are encouraged to attend. Visit vtrural.org/village-trust for Zoom registration link.
Recently, our team gathered at the Common Ground Center in Starksboro to reflect, collaborate, and imagine what's possible. Time spent together sharing ideas, asking big questions, and building toward what comes next reminded us how meaningful this work truly is. We left feeling energized and deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with communities across Vermont supporting the people and places that make this state so special.
Know a recent grad or master’s candidate who’s passionate about community impact, grantmaking, and how philanthropy strengthens Vermont communities? We’re looking for our next David Rahr Community Philanthropy Fellow.
This 24-month role offers deep exposure to Vermont’s nonprofit landscape, research, meaningful mentorship, and the chance to create lasting impact across the state.
Learn more and help us spread the word: vermontcf.org/careers
For students like Collin and Aidan, Early College and the Free Degree Promise didn’t just reduce costs, they created a clear path forward. After getting a jump on college at CCV, both are now studying at Champlain College and building careers in IT.
By starting early and earning a tuition-free associate degree, they gained confidence, direction, and momentum without the financial burden. The Free Degree Promise is supported by the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation committed to career training and workforce development.
Discover how a tuition-free start can lead to a career in IT. Read Collin and Aidan’s story: vermontcf.org/free-degree-promise-it
Last weekend, New Haven residents were able to sneak a peek inside of the old train depot with members from the New Haven Community Trust. A member of the Village Trust Initiative cohort, NHCT is engaging the community with a survey asking to imagine the future of the depot. Are you a New Haven resident or visit New Haven often? Share your thoughts here: https://forms.gle/fRhk2NntYm7W7LpG8 (and be eligible to win a prize!). NHCT will be at the depot again this Saturday from 8-noon, stop by to look inside!
