MONTPELIER, Vt.—VSECU has distributed $50,000 in grants to eight Vermont nonprofits significantly impacted by COVID-19. The $5,000 and $10,000 grants will help preserve and create job opportunities, support local economic development, and further important community services.
The grants are funded by Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Jobs for New England Recovery Grant program. The program was specifically created in 2020 to provide member financial institutions with grants to support local small businesses and nonprofit organizations experiencing significant losses because of COVID-19.
This is the second round of funding FHLBank Boston and VSECU are providing to Vermont nonprofits through the Jobs for New England Recovery Grant program. The organizations also gave $100,000 in grants to seven nonprofits in November 2020.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with FHLBank Boston to support Vermont nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” said Simeon Chapin, community impact officer at VSECU. “Nonprofits are important pillars of our local communities, and we are proud to assist them in improving the quality of life for Vermonters across our state.”
Grant recipients include the Capital City Farmers Market (CCFM), Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center, Child First Advocacy Center (CFAC), Energy Action Network (EAN), Green Mountain Club (GMC), Salvation Farms, Vermont Flight Academy (VFA), and Waterbury Ambulance Service, Inc. (WASI).
“As we lift restrictions and return to the traditional market as a communal gathering place, we're thrilled to bring back live music and social events,” said Keri Ryan, market manager at the Capital City Farmers Market. “VSECU's generous funding will go right back into the pockets of local musicians that perform each Saturday and help us host market events like the Strawberry Festival on July 3.”