http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ Common Good Vermont Forums » Recent Posts en-US Fri, 18 May 2012 19:21:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://forums.commongoodvt.org/search.php http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1204 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:04:02 +0000 CommonGood VT 1204@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks Jen! Also, be sure to check out the video on the Small &amp; Inspiring Grants program here - <a href="http://blog.commongoodvt.org/2012/04/video-vcf-small-inspiring-grants/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.commongoodvt.org/2012/04/video-vcf-small-inspiring-grants/</a> </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1203 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:01:00 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1203@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>OK Everyone. Thanks for joining. The application goes live on our website on Monday. Call or email if you have any questions after that. <a href="mailto:jpeterson@vermontcf.org">jpeterson@vermontcf.org</a> or 802-388-3355 ext 288. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1202 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:49:18 +0000 Diane 1202@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks for the background information &amp; tips. I'm embarassed to say that I didn't know about Kickstarter until you posted! What an amazing concept. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1201 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:43:50 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1201@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Since it's kind of quiet out there, I'm taking the opportunity to tell you about our interest in connecting donors to our new grant programs. One of the reasons we devised these three program was because we spend a lot of time thinking about what our donors give to at the VCF--what do we know that inspires them. Many of our donors, and people in general I believe, are inspired to give when they connect with something personally. For many Vermonters, their local community and their own neighborhoods are where they focus their giving. We love to hear stories about heroes and special moments of generosity. That's what we are trying to promote and collect stories about in our Small and Inspiring program. And we want to share those stories and inspire more giving in Vermont. We're working on a new web-based platform, something like Kickstarter and Kiva that will provide opportunities for our donors--and ultimately the public to support. For now we are upgrading our Giving Together program to include more pictures and stories and to try and make the projects we are invited them to co-fund with us more real. You'll see we ask for a picture as part of the application. It's not required but we believe it will go a long way in helping you get noticed by our donors so I encourage you to submit one. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1200 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:39:38 +0000 CommonGood VT 1200@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Reminder to all participants to REFRESH your web browsers every couple of minutes for the most current Q &amp; A! </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1199 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:38:23 +0000 Diane 1199@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks for your reply and for offering this forum. It's interesting to hear about all of the great things going on around the state ~ Diane </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1198 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:24:41 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1198@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Diane,</p> <p>Yes, that would be something we would support with an S/I grant. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1197 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:23:28 +0000 Diane 1197@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen,</p> <p>Diane from the Boys and Girls Club in Burlington. We have been experiencing enormous tension between the children of the our new American population and the generational population of the Old North End ~ bordering on pre-gang activity both within and outside of the Club. We feel that our staff, as well as staff from other youth organizations and schools would benefit from training in how to deal with the altercations when they arise as well as helping these youth develop understanding of each others' worlds. I'm not sure if training (workshops) that include the Club and other youth service organizations would fall into this grant category ~ although the intent is to help these children respect each other and to diminish the tensions that are building. Do you have thoughts? Thanks ~ </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1196 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:20:23 +0000 JanetMondlak 1196@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks Jen. I can't stay but this has been helpful. Reading about everyone else's projects and your responses is good. I will come back later and read the rest of today's forum. Cheers! </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1195 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:17:04 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1195@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Janet,</p> <p>I think your project could fit if you have a strategy for engaging members of the community in developing the plan and how that process will help make connections. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1194 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:14:59 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1194@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Zyck,</p> <p>I think you could make a case for the entire festival too. Our interest is in increasing connections between people, between people and their communities, and between people and the natural world with the assumption that those connections are what drive us to care for and about each other and our surroundings. I leave it to you to decide whether the festival overall or a specific activity within the festival fits that criteria best. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/3#post-1193 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:11:48 +0000 Ann Lamoille Habitat 1193@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks, we will be involving a large number of volunteers (typically 400 days of volunteer labor are required for each project) While I expect many will come from Morristown, others will come from other towns in the county and perhaps outside. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1192 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:11:40 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1192@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Kit,</p> <p>I think your idea could fit if you can articulate a specific strategy for engaging the public and what community building and ideally lasting connections (or at least ones to build upon) will result from that. It will also be important for us to understand if and how you will engage populations that might not normally participate in play readings. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1191 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:10:49 +0000 JanetMondlak 1191@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen. The Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with our Downtown Association, is looking to stay on top of a BIG DIG project coming through town either in 2013 or 2014. It will have a major impact on our business community, possibly even closing Route 7 right through downtown for a portion of time. We want to create a marketing plan with mascot and website (and lots of bells and whistles) as a starting point. That will then lead to a larger campaign as we get closer to construction. There is a lot of anxiety in the business (and residential) community about the project. We want to remain positive (thinking about the outcome) and keep many people informed and in the loop. Do you think this would be a good fit or an S &amp; I grant for development and implementation of this first stage? </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1190 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:10:37 +0000 zbaggett 1190@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen,<br /> This is Zyck Baggett from Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater. I have a similar question to Ann. We have an annual festival and one of the underlying themes is building community. However, I am wondering if it would be better to apply for a grant funding a specific activity or aspect of the festival or if it is possible to apply for a grant to assist in funding the entire festival. Of course the grant amount is small compared to the full budget - but just wondering if the S/I grant committee might be looking for specific activity with a specific outcome although we can articulate specific outcomes for the entire festival. </p> <p>Thank you for this opportunity to chat!<br /> Zyck </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1189 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:09:27 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1189@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Ann,</p> <p>Congrats on your beginning! Yes, I would stick to the project for small and inspiring. While we support your mission overall and understand at its foundation is community building, we are really interested in supporting specific connections that people are trying to make with this grant round. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1188 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:07:33 +0000 klwallace 1188@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Jen - Kit from Dorset Theatre Festival here. We are hoping to expand our typical summer professional theatre season into September, but switch to community theatre. There are many local playwrights whose works are in development and who don't have the resources to put on readings with an audience to advance their work. We are trying to organize a week-long series of play readings by these local writers, open to the public, to showcase our emerging local talent and to bring the wider community into the exciting creative process which is new play development. Would this resonate with this grant round? </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1187 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:05:38 +0000 Ann Lamoille Habitat 1187@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi This is Ann Schaffner from Lamoille Habitat for Humanity. We are a new organization getting started and hope to build our first house in the coming year. Some questions:</p> <p>1. Obviously we are county-wide but our first project will be in a specific town, probably Morristown.<br /> 2. Related to this, we are currently raising funds for this specific project and also for general support--should we stick to the specific project for small and inspiring?</p> <p>Ann </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1186 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:04:06 +0000 Elle Petcavage HOPE Works 1186@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen, </p> <p>Thanks for being a part of this chat opportunity. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1185 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:03:00 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1185@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Jen Peterson here. I've been doing finger exercises this morning so I'm ready for all your questions!</p> <p>Quick context for new comers: this is an on-line forum for you to ask questions about our new grants program and is targeted towards the Small and Inspiring Program. This grantmaking program is focused on community building and increasing that wonderful spirit we have in Vermont for caring about each other, our communities and the world around us. We will be making small grants of up to $2500 towards efforts that increase those kinds of connections. The notion is that in a lot of ways a small grant can make a big difference--right in a town--AND in building social capital with has been demonstrated by research to help improve health and education outcomes and to increase civic engagement. It also makes us all feel really good--which is what I love best about it!</p> <p>So ask away! </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1184 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:02:53 +0000 Diane 1184@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Good morning! Thank you for hosting this ~ just catching up on all of the posts from yesterday. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1183 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:59:36 +0000 CommonGood VT 1183@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Greetings Small &amp; Inspiring Grant Participants! Welcome to Part II of the chat, Jen Peterson of the Community Foundation will be joining us shortly </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1182 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:04:50 +0000 Mickey Myers 1182@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks, Jen</p> <p>Mickey </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1181 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:03:34 +0000 CommonGood VT 1181@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Jen, thanks so much. Part II of this forum will take place tomorrow at 10 a.m.! </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1180 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:01:29 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1180@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks everyone. Good luck with your work and don't hestiate to reach out if you have more questions:<br /> <a href="mailto:jpeterson@vermontcf.org">jpeterson@vermontcf.org</a> or 802-388-3355 ext 288 </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1179 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:21 +0000 Deborah Loring 1179@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thanks so much -- signing off now! </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1178 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:57:59 +0000 Theresa Snow 1178@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Thank you for this forum Jen &amp; CGVT - it has been very helpful </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1177 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:55:37 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1177@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Some further clarification if helpful: there are about 42 discretionary funds at the VCF from which the staff make grants through the Community Fund grant rounds (now Small and Inspiring, Innovations and Collaborations, and Big Impact) as well as the Special and Urgent Needs grant round. These funds put off roughly $800K-$1M each year for grantmaking which accounts for about 10% of the grants made by VCF each year. The rest are made through donor advised funds. We have a Giving Together program where we share vetted proposals with our donors and invite them to co-fund with us. We also provide one-on-one philanthropic advising services to our donors if they would like it. We try to stay in touch with organizations around the state so that we can make connections between donors and nonprofits that will meet the donor's philanthropic interests and goals. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1176 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:55:20 +0000 AnneMacLeod 1176@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Jen, thanks for this - need to sign off.<br /> Anne </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1175 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:45:07 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1175@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen,</p> <p>The discretionary funds at the VCF are funds that are under the staff discretion. Either the donor set them up that way or the donor passed away and the fund became discretionary. We also share our proposals with donors who have active funds with us and invite them to co-fund with us. Either way you should apply through the S/I grant round as individual funds do not accept applications (there are some exceptions which are listed on our website and have their own grant rounds). </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1174 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:40:20 +0000 jmflaster 1174@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen -<br /> My organization applied for a community fund grant last year. The grant we received came from a discretionary fund at VCF. We had no prior relationship to that donor. We are a performing arts organization that holds concerts in more than one town, so it's not clear whether S/I is the right track, although we would only be seeking a small grant. Should we apply through S/I or directly to the discretionary fund?<br /> Thanks,<br /> Jen </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1173 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:39:00 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1173@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Deb,</p> <p>Great question: I would share with us what inspires you about the work these volunteers are doing to mitigate what I imagine are pretty sad stories. What difference are these volunteers making? Who is more connected as a result of this work and why? </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1172 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:36:06 +0000 Deborah Loring 1172@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Jen,</p> <p>Thanks for having this forum.</p> <p>While there are wonderful success stories and community building aspects to what we do (i.e. volunteers coming together to address problems of that are often hard to face in terms of the condition of the animals we assist), the problems we set out to address are often quite harsh. Do you have any advice for us in how we present these issues so as to make them inspiring rather than harsh? </p> <p>Deb Loring<br /> Spring Hill Horse Rescue </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1171 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:33:54 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1171@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Hi Mickey,</p> <p>You can only be funded 1/yr through S/I and it does not preclude you from applying to other grant rounds at the VCF. I would not recommend applying for the same thing to each of the three new grant programs but different work could be funded through each. Also check out our website for other grant opportunities. </p> http://forums.commongoodvt.org/topic/vt-community-foundation-forums-april-12-at-3-pm-and-april-13-at-10-am/page/2#post-1170 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:31:32 +0000 jpetersonVCF 1170@http://forums.commongoodvt.org/ <p>Question: Can the S/I grant be utilized as a portion of a larger project (in our case the hiring of someone to run summer workshops re: home-scale kitchen gardening, processing and preservation open to the public) the overall cost of which may exceed $2,500.</p> <p>Answer: Yes, we are happy to be part of a bigger project that has other community support.</p> <p>Question 2. As community engagement seems key in this grant, is there a set (or suggested) number of community members it needs to engage/reach? </p> <p>Answer: No, we do not have any pre-qualifications for how many people you need to reach. We want to know your projections though and we will consider that in relation to the scope of the project and it's intent. </p>