The Vermont Women’s Fund Doubles Down on COVID-19 Support with First-ever Fall Grant Round

For the first time since it was established in 1994, the Vermont Women’s Fund has distributed a second round of grants in a calendar year. Supported by its 100-for-100 Campaign that celebrated the anniversary of women’s voting rights, unrestricted grants of $10,000 will be given to organizations with wraparound services that help displaced workers find new employment and, in some cases, first help them gain stability and skills.

“Economic self-sufficiency during this pandemic is critical to survival, yet we continue to see record numbers of women leaving the workforce to provide schooling and support for their children,” says Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund. “Nationally, one out of every 4 women have left their jobs and careers—representing an enormous economic loss. It is our job as a fund to help women and girls cope with—and recover from—this pandemic. We cannot do this alone; we partner with a network of service providers from across the state. We are especially grateful to the Vermont Community Foundation for making a generous grant in support of this special effort, as well as to the hundreds of donors who champion women in Vermont.”

In April, the Women’s Fund distributed $292,000 to nonprofits and initiatives delivering invaluable services that safeguard Vermont’s women and girls during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The following is the list of recipients of $10,000 grants from the Vermont Women’s Fund this fall:

• Center for Women & Enterprise in Burlington provides statewide services.
• Green Mountain United Way in Montpelier provides services for Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties.
• Mercy Connections in Burlington provides services in Chittenden county.
• Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) in Westminster provides services for Windham and Windsor counties.
• The Umbrella of St. Johnsbury provides services in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties.
• Vermont Works for Women in Winooski provides services for Chittenden and Franklin counties.

To learn more about the Vermont Women’s Fund, visit its new website at vermontwomensfund.org.