THE IDEAS

The Idea Fund is always accepting applications and ideas for new projects.

We issued our first round of grants in late 2015 and our second round of grants in early 2016. 

In that time we have funded approximately $25,000 in grants to 12 different organizations and individuals, with grants ranging from $200 to $5,000. Our grantees include:

• The Bennington Free Library: Kindergarten Reading Program
• The Bennington Oral Health Coalition
• Bennington Rutland Opportunity Council: Savings for Stability pilot project
• The Bennington Veterans' Resource Center
• Hour for Our Community Time Exchange: Outreach Internship
• Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services: Food Fit Bennington project
• A local LGBT support group
• A local college student in need of car repairs
• Renters 101
• RYZA Garage
• The Seedlings Program
• Southern Vermont Babywearers
• Southern Vermont Career Development Center: New Experiences Camp Scholarships

If you have an idea that you think might be right for funding, please share it with us here, or contact our project support team. Before you submit a formal application to our Steering Committee, our team will work with you to make sure your project is ready to apply and meets the following three core criteria:

1.   A project idea must empower people in poverty.

2.   A project idea must set out to achieve a measurable impact.

3.   A project idea must attempt to generate sustainable positive change.