Vermont 250th Community Planning Grants

Generously supported by Vermont Covered and administered by the Vermont Historical Society as part of their work with the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission.

In Vermont, the years 2025-2027 will focus on the semiquincentennial (250th) of the founding of the United States. Planning for this commemoration is already underway. The Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission (VT250th), tasked by Governor Phil Scott, is working to create opportunities for Vermonters to mark this anniversary. The 250th offers an occasion to not only learn more about these historic events but also to reflect on what independence, freedom, and self-determination mean today and in the future. Vermont’s motto “Freedom and Unity” reflects not only the spirit of the Green Mountain State, but the founding ethos of the United States itself.

The VT250th is working diligently to be economically, culturally, and racially inclusive in the planning and implementation of the anniversary. Inclusion requires access. In 2023 broadband and wireless connectivity is essential for public safety, rural equity, education, job opportunities, economic development, health care, and agriculture. All Vermonters should have the connection to participate fully and have the opportunities offered in our increasingly digital world. Vermont Covered works with communities throughout Vermont to advocate for and create access to this revolutionary technology.

Congratulations to Our Grant Recipients So Far!

• Fairfield Historical Society, Fairfield

•  Jamaica Historical Foundation, Jamaica

•  Morgan Historical Society, Morgan

• Town of Pomfret, Vermont 250th Anniversary Committee, Pomfret

• Tunbridge Historical Society, Tunbridge

• Whiting Library, Chester

• Woodstock History Center, Woodstock

• Worcester, Vermont Historical Society, Worcester

Details on funded projects can be found here. 

Grants

This grant program is intended to help communities plan and prepare for the 250th at the local level. Grants are $1,000 and will be given to support a range of activities that help to define and move forward programs, events, and resources for 2026-2027. This can include but is not limited to activities such as community dialogues, exhibit research/design, collections digitization/access projects, preliminary work on publications, creation of educational resources, or other general planning activities.

As of April 1, 2024, the grants are open to all Vermont Communities. Organizations doing work within the following communities selected by Vermont Covered will be given priority for funding:

Applicants can include local historical societies, museums, libraries, & other community-based organizations.  More informal community or friends groups may apply, but there must be a sponsoring non-profit, municipal, or community-based organization that can receive the funds. Up to one grant recipient from each town will be selected. Towns that have already received a grant are ineligible for another one.

Activities must align with one or more of the themes outlined by the VT250th. These themes can be found here. Activities covered under the grant must take place between June 2024-September 2025. Higher ratings may be given to applications that showcase partnerships between communities and/or include a wide range of community partners.

Grant applications will be accepted electronically with two deadlines: 1st Round: May 15, 2024 & 2nd Round: July 15, 2024 (dependent on available funds)

Communities selected for grants will be required to complete a set of secondary speed tests with Vermont Covered before funds are released.

Recipients will be required to acknowledge the VT250th and Vermont Covered and this funding in promotional materials about supported activities. Public events/programs supported by these grants will be eligible for inclusion on the Vermont 250th events calendar.

Recipients will be required to file a final report on their supported activities no later than October 1, 2025.

The application should be completed online. 
Apply Now

If you have any difficulty in completing an application online, please contact us as noted below.

Review Criteria/Ranking

Each application will be reviewed against the following criteria ranked on a numerical scale with 1 being lowest. Applications with highest accumulated score will be recommended for funding.

• Adherence to 250th themes [1-5]
• Feasibility of activities to lead to 250th programs/events/resources [1-3]
• Potential community reach & partnership [1-5]
• Ways in which activities promote inclusion, access, & diversity [1-3]
• Organization in a priority community [4]

Secondary Application with Vermont Covered

If an application is recommended for funding, it will be forwarded to Vermont Covered for the completion of secondary application materials. This consists of "Speed Tests" related to mobile wireless coverage in their communities. Funds will not be released until these materials have been completed with Vermont Covered. For more information, please visit: vtcovered.org.

Questions?

Please contact Eileen Corcoran, VHS Director of Service & Outreach at eileen.corcoran@vermonthistory.org, (802) 479-8522.

Access the slides from our Virtual Information Session here.