The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) recently announced the establishment of the David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief—a permanent fund ensuring Vermont communities and individuals have a reliable, immediate resource to prepare, respond, and recover when natural disasters strike.
“Rather than create a new fund for each disaster, we are establishing a permanent resource to allow us to act swiftly when communities are in need. This fund will ensure that, together, we can continue to serve the state with the urgency and flexibility that’s so crucial in times of crisis,” said Dan Smith, president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation.
Naming the fund after David Coates, the founding chair of the Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund (VDRF), honors one of Vermont’s most trusted and respected leaders. Coates’s impact spans numerous organizations, causes, and issues. His leadership was instrumental in the flood recovery efforts of 2011. Through this fund, we hope to carry forward the values Coates exemplifies.
“It is a fitting tribute that this fund is being named for David Coates. His extraordinary leadership helped hundreds of Vermonters through the state’s worst disaster in 84 years,” said Chris Graff, VDRF chair. “The model of relief and recovery David built following Tropical Storm Irene was innovative, focused on survivors, and has stood the test of time.”
This new fund draws on the close collaboration between the VDRF and the Vermont Community Foundation that dates back to Tropical Storm Irene. Since then, both organizations have played a critical role in local disaster relief. The VDRF provided $6 million in individual assistance following Tropical Storm Irene and $1.6 million to survivors of the 2023 and 2024 flooding. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses across Vermont and beyond, more than $14 million has been raised and committed through VCF’s Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund. These funds have supported communities, farms, businesses, families, and individuals impacted by the devastating floods of 2023 and 2024. This track record of support has shown the incredible power of collective giving and underscored the importance of having swift and flexible resources available for disaster recovery.
As Vermont faces an increasingly unpredictable future with more frequent extreme weather events, the need for greater preparedness in addition to both immediate and long-term support is more important than ever. In response to this growing reality, the VCF and the board of the VDRF have taken the next step in their collaboration to create the unified David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief.
To launch this permanent fund at the VCF, the remaining funds in the VDRF will serve as seed funding, kickstarting its long-term impact. Ongoing fundraising will continue to be vital to its success. This fund not only provides a strong base for effective response and recovery but also serves as a home for donations when a disaster hits. Through this fund, donors can quickly, strategically, and equitably direct their support where it’s needed most. This proactive approach aims to provide Vermonters with the peace of mind that support will be there when it is needed most.
“We are proud to partner with the Vermont Community Foundation to create a fund that can be mobilized quickly and effectively in times of need,” said Neale Lunderville, VDRF board member and former Irene recovery officer for the state. “This transition represents a new era of readiness for Vermont, with a focus on agility and rapid response. By creating a sustainable, flexible resource, we are preparing Vermont for the challenges ahead.”
The David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief will serve as an enduring safety net, providing funding for a swift, coordinated response in times of crisis. It will allow the Vermont Community Foundation to continue its vital role as a trusted philanthropic leader in mobilizing resources with speed, precision, and efficiency, ensuring that Vermonters and their communities can recover and rebuild in the aftermath of natural disasters.
For more information, visit: vermontcf.org/vt-disaster-relief.
