Arts & Social Cohesion Grant

The Arts & Social Cohesion grant program is administered by the Vermont Community Foundation and is funded through a donor advised fundholder aligned with the Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing impact area. The program is rooted in the belief that strong community connections and a sense of belonging contribute significantly to both mental and physical health. In response to increasing social fragmentation and disconnection, the program supports arts-based initiatives that bring people together through shared creative experiences. The overarching goal is to foster meaningful interactions that strengthen trust, resilience, and social cohesion within Vermont communities. This funding opportunity focuses on projects and events across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, performing arts, music, and literary arts. The program seeks to support initiatives that actively engage community members as participants, collaborators, and co-creators rather than passive audiences. Funded projects are expected to create opportunities for positive social interaction and to build lasting relationships among participants. Emphasis is placed on experiences that leave participants feeling connected, valued, and more integrated into their local communities. The program prioritizes projects that reach diverse and broad audiences, especially individuals who may feel marginalized or disconnected. This includes low-income youth, older adults, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other underserved populations in Vermont. Successful proposals typically demonstrate inclusive practices, safe and welcoming environments for creative expression, and intentional strategies for fostering collaboration and community engagement. While new projects are preferred, existing programs with demonstrated success and impact are also eligible for consideration. Examples of eligible activities include participatory mural projects, artist residencies involving community collaboration, interactive performances, public art installations with engagement components, workshops, and free public classes or events. Funding may be used for essential project-related expenses such as staff salaries, benefits, contracted services, materials, equipment, and reasonable overhead directly tied to the project. However, the program does not support capital campaigns, general operating expenses, ticket subsidies unrelated to community-building, debt reduction, or programs lacking participatory elements. Religious instruction and costs unrelated to the project are also excluded. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools whose primary service area is within Vermont. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a qualified fiscal sponsor. Individuals are not eligible to apply independently. Applicants must also comply with the Vermont Community Foundation’s general eligibility guidelines. The program encourages submissions from community-based organizations that serve historically underserved populations and demonstrate strong alignment with the program’s goals of inclusion and cohesion. The application process begins with a required Letter of Interest (LOI), which serves as the initial screening step. LOIs were accepted starting April 6, 2026, and must be submitted by May 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal by the end of May, with full applications due on June 17, 2026. Funding decisions are expected to be communicated in early August via email. Applicants are advised to consider the timing of their proposed activities, as grant funds cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to the award notification. Projects funded through this program must be completed within one year of the award date. The program supports a range of grant sizes, with awards of up to $12,000 and an average grant size of approximately $7,500. Through this structured and phased application process, the Vermont Community Foundation aims to identify projects that not only demonstrate artistic merit but also contribute meaningfully to long-term community wellbeing and social cohesion.

Emphasize participatory engagement, inclusion of marginalized communities, and clear demonstration of community-building outcomes.