Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) in collaboration with Preservation Trust of Vermont, is launching a special competitive grant round to offer one to three grants of up to $5,000 for communities seeking to build momentum toward flood-resilient community development.
Applications for this special round of funding for the Small Grants for Smart Growth program are due Jan. 15, 2024.
What is smart growth?
Where and how we develop affects our quality of life, how we get around, our natural resources, and how inclusive and affordable our communities are. Smart growth is an approach to land development that can make our communities more livable in all of these areas, by investing in our unique villages and downtowns and fighting sprawl, which makes Vermont feel less like Vermont.
Smart growth allows for a variety of housing for people of all ages, transportation choices, unique places for everybody to enjoy, and healthy farms, forests, and natural areas. It prioritizes public participation in making decisions about what the future looks like, so that our land use decisions are inclusive, not exclusive.
What kinds of projects do Small Grants for Smart Growth support?
Projects might involve advocacy for better land use, by getting involved in the “nuts and bolts” work of municipal planning, regulations, or a permitting process. A project could also be a town or local group effort to promote downtown or village center revitalization and historic preservation; to develop a plan for better sidewalks or paths; to identify ways to support housing choice and affordability; or to plan on conserving land for agriculture or forestry.
These grants acknowledge that community leadership and small steps are essential for catalyzing change. Think creatively about how you can advance smart growth in your town!
How big are the grants?
Grants are available in the range of $500 to $1,500 per project. Applications for these are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
