Posted August 3, 2016 at 04:59am by Stephani Kononan

Community Fund Grant Applications Now Available

Image

Hunger Mountain Co-op is now accepting grant applications in support of local businesses and organizations whose work enriches our central Vermont community and furthers the Co-op’s mission of building a dynamic community of healthy individuals, sustainable local food systems, and thriving cooperative commerce.

Hunger Mountain Co-op began its community fund endowment in 2005. With support from Co-op member-owners, Twin Pines Cooperative Community Fund and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, the fund has grown steadily. Since 2012 the Co-op has awarded grants annually, resulting in nearly $30,000 in charitable giving. Last year’s grants totaled a record-setting $10,000 and benefited Another Way, Christ Church Full Ladle Soup Kitchen, Jupiter Farm, Montpelier Senior Activity Center, Salvation Farms, Sobremesa, Twin Valley Senior Center, Unitarian Church Montpelier Community Lunch and the Vermont Foodbank. 

"Our Community Fund provides another avenue for us to support our co-op’s collective vision of a healthier and more sustainable central Vermont community," said General Manager Kari Bradley. Past community grants have supported local businesses in need of start-up capital, funded construction of key infrastructure projects like community kitchens, and encouraged local activism on food-related issues. This year a strong priority will be given to projects designed to support local foods systems development and smaller-scale targeted projects.  

2016 applications can be found online at hungermountain.coop or at the Co-op’s Customer Service Desk (623 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier). Completed applications are due by August 31. Grant recipients will be announced at the Co-op’s Annual Meeting on the evening of Thursday, November 3.