NAVIGATION
Celebrating Community and Culture as a Migrant: VT PoC’s Annual August Kickback
by Luisana Rodriguez
Moving to a new place, especially as a migrant, can be a daunting journey to feeling at home. The unfamiliar surroundings, new faces, and different cultural norms can make anyone feel like an outsider. This sense of being on the periphery is something many new residents of Vermont, including myself, have experienced.
I have lived here for less than two years, and like many others, I have often felt like an outsider. Building a community as a migrant can be challenging; differences sometimes push us further away as we try to stay connected to what we already know. However, Vermont’s smaller community provides more opportunities to genuinely engage with others.
One way this connection is fostered is through events like VT PoC’s annual August Kickback. This gathering brings together BIPOC individuals to socialize and create belonging. This year’s theme is “Living in Prosperity,” focusing on holistic wellness. The event prioritizes showcasing vendors and resources led and owned by BIPOC individuals, celebrating their talents and expanding connections within our community. Last year’s emphasis on flood relief and recovery demonstrated how the Kickback can provide not only a platform for discussing challenges but also tangible support.
If this will be your first time attending this event (it’s mine too!), it’s normal to feel a bit nervous about meeting new faces. But, as I’ve experienced in other places, by the end of the evening, you often find common ground and even form the beginning of new friendships. It’s an inviting environment where you can express yourself and bond with other locals – something I’ve been longing for! As a professional working in Vermont, I’ve found that the smaller community size has been both a challenge and a blessing. On one hand, it can be difficult to meet other professionals with a similar background to mine. On the other hand, when those connections are established, they are often meaningful and invaluable in navigating my career and personal life in this town.
The Kickback will also have BIPOC vendor stations, each focusing on various aspects of holistic wellness and mirroring the services already provided by the organization. For example, a few months ago I participated in a financial literacy workshop organized by them and found the tax information particularly valuable as I navigated my first year here. This kind of helpful advice highlights the importance of taking a well-rounded approach to personal growth and providing people with the extra tools they need to succeed and thrive in every aspect of life.
“Living in Prosperity” not only sets the tone for a supportive and inclusive event but also reinforces the mission of VT PoC to advance networking, career development, and economic empowerment. As we move forward, it’s crucial to recognize that creating a sense of belonging is a collective effort, as it requires each of us to step out of our comfort zones, reach out to those who might feel isolated, and build bridges rather than walls. I believe that by doing so, we can foster a community where everyone feels they belong. Supporting local talent, volunteering, and engaging in civic activities are all ways to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Vermont.
Through these efforts, and with gatherings like the August Kickback, we can ensure that every resident, new or old, can feel truly at home.
About the Author
Luisana Rodriguez is a Venezuelan professional who has been living in Burlington, VT since late 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad Arturo Michelena (Venezuela). Currently, she works as a freelance writer for different digital publications and as a Review Response Specialist at Widewail, a local online reputation management company. Her areas of interest include the intersection of culture, media, and mental health. (LinkedIn – Portfolio).
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Our member spotlight is on Erin Baker-Meno (she/her), a clinical mental health counselor who has called Vermont home for the past 24 years. Erin is deeply committed to fostering healing and liberation in her practice with Through to Thrive.
news FROM THE NETWORK
NOW LIVE: The VT PoCket Guide!
Your ultimate guide for exploring Vermont, curated by VT PoC!
⭐ Take the quiz to find activities that match your vibe
⭐ Browse options across 10 categories
⭐ With attractions located near Vermont hotspots
⭐ Perfect for newcomers or seasoned Vermonters!
NOW LIVE: The VT PoCket Guide!
Clean Heat Standard (CHS) Gathering for the VT PoC Community in September
The Clean Heat Standard (CHS) deserves your attention whether you rent your living space, own your home, or operate a business. The CHS will impact what you pay to heat/cool your home or business.
Vermont Partnership for Fairness & Diversity works with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to fulfill their obligation under Act 18 of 2023 to create a Clean Heat Standard rule to present to the Vermont General Assembly. An anticipated outcome of our work will be new opportunities for you to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Your thoughts will inform the PUC as they create the new Clean Heat Standard.
This potential Standard will serve as a critical component of Vermont’s effort to combat climate change and meet the Global Warming Solution Act’s goals. Vermont Partnership will hold a special CHS Gathering for the VT PoC community in September (TBD). In the meantime check out the CHS website or Curtiss Reed at creed@vermontpartnership.org for more information.
VT PoC’s The Things in Between: Holistic Financial Planning
Dive into The Things in Between! ✨ Our hopes for The Things in Between is to provide an accessible way to share information, while also discussing topics beyond financial literacy.
We spoke with Anastasia Surmava from Commonwealth Financial Group to answer questions about holistic financial planning. Check out the playlist at the link below!
Sign Up For On the Way! – Northeast Farmers of Color’s Black Land Stewardship Program
Northeast Farmers of Color’s Black Land Stewardship program will be hosting a Black farmers x Black farms tour this fall!
If you’d like the tour to stop at your farm to complete a project OR If you’d like to travel on the tour, please fill out this form! Zoom info session for travelers will be on August 8 at 6:45 PM and August 11 at 4 PM. Find the links at the sign up form.
Apply now: VTDigger’s Advertising for Racial Equity program is accepting new businesses
The program supports BIPOC-owned Vermont businesses, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs by offering up to $2,000 worth of free digital advertising on VTDigger’s website!
Closing August 16: Board of Trustees Applications for Vermont Adult Learning
Are you interested in being an active advocate for adult education? Would you or someone you know like to be more engaged in the behind-the-scenes at Vermont Adult Learning? We are currently accepting applications to join our Board of Trustees!
Members of VAL’s Board bring diverse perspectives and skills to our organizational culture and operations, work closely with the Executive Leadership to influence and inform our policies and procedures, contribute to the management of financial resources for Vermont’s largest provider of adult education services, and champion VAL’s mission and vision to advocate for and empower our learners.
Hermanas Vermont
Isa and Luisa, former writers for the VT PoC newsletter, are establishing a sisterhood for Latinas in Vermont! Join them for monthly local meet-ups where you can connect through socializing, networking, and events focused on educational and professional development. Stay tuned on their Instagram!
Closing August 23: ClimateReadyVT for Small Businesses!
This is a FREE program helping small businesses in Vermont adapt to our changing climate and prepare for climate-related business disruptions! New this year, we’re partnering with the Vermont Small Business Development Center and Vermont Small Business Law Center at Vermont Law & Graduate School to provide free business technical assistance and legal counsel as part of the program.
Any business or nonprofit organization with 50 employees or less (FTE) is eligible to participate. Organizations who are interested are asked to complete our 5-minute application. We are limited to 25 participants, so priority will be given to businesses, as well as organizations which are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veteran, and woman-owned/led and/or located in rural areas of VT.
Critical Aid for Windham County Kids with Autism – Act Now
Adriana Negrón has launched an initiative to support families with autistic children in Windham through her SYNC Collaborative. A GoFundMe campaign is underway to raise $2,000 for a survey that will identify the specific challenges faced by these families. Please consider supporting the campaign and sharing it within your networks.
EVENTS
August 11 – VT PoC’s 4th Annual August Kickback!
VT PoC is thrilled to host our fourth annual August Kickback on Sunday, August 12, from 12:00-4:00 PM at Airport Park in Colchester. This event warmly welcomes our BIPOC members, their families, children, and non-BIPOC identifying loved ones.
Join us for a kickback with good music, good food, and good company. You can ride your bike, play a sport, lounge in the shade, dance to the riddim, or hang by the foodie table. There is something for everyone. We have an exciting bike excursion and a rollerskating sesh you can sign up for on the RSVP!
Bring yourself and your loved ones!
August Kickback Activities: Bike Ride & Rollerskating!
Start your morning with a bike ride from Local Motion to the Kickback, led by Zoraya Hightower, at 10 AM. Then, lace up your skates for the rollerskating sesh with Alicia from Joy Riders on the basketball court at 1 PM!
🚴♀️➡️ VT PoC will rent bikes for folks who need them. If you have a bike, we highly encourage you to bring it.
🛼➡️ Rollerskates will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
Sign up now through the Eventbrite button above to secure your spot! If you are already registered for August Kickback, you can go back in and re-register for these activities by only selecting the add-ons.
August 15 – VT PoC x VSBLC Legal Series: Your Rights and Flood Impact
Were you impacted by the July 2023 or 2024 floods? A team of experts from insurance and legal industries will answer questions from the audience and offer helpful tips and suggestions for navigating the current flood aftermath, including how to secure appropriate documentation for insurance claims, FEMA assistance and state buybacks, landlord-tenant negotiations over commercial leases, and more.
September 17 – VT PoC x VSBLC Legal Series: Hiring Your First Employee
Whether you are not yet started or already in the process, hiring is NOT easy! This webinar will help shed light on the process about hiring your first (or tenth) employee!
September 22 – VT PoC x Homebody Yoga + Massage – BIPOC Yoga + Chair Massages at Otter Creek Yoga
VT PoC invites you to unwind with BIPOC-centered yoga and chair massages offered by Homebody Massage + Yoga in Middlebury!
Offerings include free BIPOC-centered yoga, 10 minute chair massages, and yummy snacks.
You will have the option to sign up for one of two yoga flows and a chair massage.
August 6 – Vermont Community Leadership Summit 2024
Join hundreds of community builders from across the state to build skills, capacity, and connections – and forge forward towards a thriving and resilient future for all. This year’s event offers a range of topics tailored to support and connect people in all aspects of local vitality and resilience and will be an opportunity to dig into what it takes for a community to thrive – capacity, economic vitality, emergency preparedness, youth engagement, inclusion, and more. Attendees can participate in any sessions of interest to them, or follow the optional “Participation Pathways” of Climate Resilience and Long-term Recovery; Youth Leadership and Engagement; or Understanding and Solving Our Persistent Challenges. All who are interested in supporting their community and the future of the state are welcome and encouraged to attend!
August 6, 20 – Mandarin Conversation Circle with the Vermont Chinese School (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Please join volunteers from the Vermont Chinese School to learn and improve your Mandarin and make new friends. Registration is not required. All are welcome! Please email vtchineseschool@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you!
August 6, 13, 20, 27 (Every Tuesday) – Richard Kemp Center: Got Chess? (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
The Youth Chess Club is a dynamic and inclusive program designed to empower young individuals from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities through the timeless game of chess. Our program offers a safe and welcoming space where youth can explore the world of chess, cultivate essential life skills, and experience a range of valuable benefits.
August 6 – Equity Matters: Dismantling Systemic Racism (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Because of the legacy of slavery there have always been calls for freedom, equal protection, equal rights, civil rights and EQUITY! Centering Black and Brown communities and with an eye towards racial justice, Equity Matters holds space for some of the most important pressing issues impacting Black folks in Vermont. Equity Matters. Hybrid meeting, in-person at the Fletcher Free Library and remote on Zoom.
August 7, 14, 21, 28 – ELL Classes: English for Beginners and Intermediate Students (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM)
Beginning English-language learners can practice written and spoken English with a certified TOEFL instructor. FREE. Please register for classes by emailing Barbara Shatara at bshatara@burlingtonvt.gov.
August 8 – Queen Kiah Project – House Party Series (7:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
Reserve your seat now for this exclusive fundraiser concert series featuring live music, singing, storytelling, and original spoken word poetry by Kiah Morris and special guests in intimate locations throughout Vermont. (21+ please as alcohol may be present.) Cost: $20.
August 9, 16 – Dorothy Ailing Memorial Library Presents: Mah-Jongg (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Come alone or bring a friend and play with members of the community. All experience levels are welcome. No registration required.
August 9, 23 (Every 2nd and 4th Friday) – Richard Kemp Center: Youth Movie Night (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Youth Movie Night is a community-centered initiative aimed at promoting awareness, understanding, and dialogue on racial justice issues through the medium of film. This program creates a safe and inclusive space where youth from 8 to 18 can come together to watch thought-provoking movies with cultural themes, engage in meaningful discussions, and share food in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
August 10 – Poetry Reading and Food at Nama Farm | Open Farm Week 2024 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Join Burlington Vermont Poet Rajnii Eddins as he performs poems from his books at Noon and 2 p.m. and shares from his life in Vermont as a Black teaching artist poet and educator. Enjoy refreshing strawberry lemonade, pickles, fresh salad and bread and jam produced in the farmhouse kitchen at Nama Farm by Farmer Ama – and buy some to take home! All ages welcome. Cost is free. To RSVP, or for more information, call 802-310-8601 or email namafarm@gmail.com.
August 10, 17, 24, 31 – Burlington City Arts Presents: The BTV Market (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Co-presented by Burlington City Arts and Love Burlington, come cross paths with an eclectic group of local artists and makers representing all corners of Burlington’s creative community. Live music, games, and kids activities make for festive fun while you shop and stroll among vendors and neighbors. Running from 11 am-3 pm every Saturday, the BTV Market hosts over 100 local vendors over 18 weeks, with 40 vendors present each week.
August 10, 24 – Fletcher Free Library Presents: The Poetry Experience with Rajnii Eddins (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Looking for a fun space to be creative and share poetry? Check out this local writing/sharing circle (held every 2nd and 4th Saturday). The Poetry Experience is hosted by Rajnii Eddins! Please spread the word and feel free to invite poets, writers, teachers, emcees, creative people and arts enthusiasts of all ages.
August 10 – Fletcher Free Library Presents: Black is Beautiful Film Series – Shaft (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The Black Is Beautiful Film Series is curated and hosted by poet Rajnii Eddins. The series features monthly films by Black film directors. The films range from the well-known Hollywood blockbusters to award-winning independent films. Please join us for an afternoon of entertaining and engaging movies!
August 11 – Maple Mountain Homestead: Medicine Making with Herbs and Seaberries Workshop (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Join us for a hands on workshop making herbal remedies for common ailments to help make our community more resilient! Entry fee: $45.
August 11 – The Root Social Justice Center: Soul Food Sunday BIPOC Affinity Space (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Every second Sunday of the month, we gather for Soul Food Sunday, a dedicated BIPOC affinity space where we celebrate community, culture, and connection. This is a safe and welcoming environment for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to come together, share delicious food, and build lasting relationships. Please bring a dish to share if you can and join us in fostering a supportive and empowering community.
August 11 – Fletcher Free Library Presents: Dad Guild (3:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
Fathers (and parents of all genders) and their kids ages 5 and under drop in for playtime and connection. Ages 0-5. dadguild.weebly.com
August 11 – Vermont Comedy Club Presents: Adam Mamawala (7:30 PM)
Adam Mamawala is a stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster based out of New York City. He has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET, and SiriusXM, and both of his albums, Statistically More Relatable (2022) and One of the Good Ones (2017) debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts. Adam has been a freelance contributor to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and Someecards and currently co-hosts podcasts Away Games and HORSE, as recently featured in the New York Times!
August 12, 26 – English Conversation Circle (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Practice your English and make new friends. Join library staff and volunteers for a fun and friendly conversation with other adult English learners. Our English Conversation Circle meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, in the Digital Lab of the South Burlington Public Library. Registration is not required for this program. All are welcome! Email sbplprograms@southburlingtonvt.gov with any questions.
August 13 – Intervale Cooking Series: Ethiopian & Eritrean Zilzil Tibs (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
Join us for a night of international grilling as we prepare grilled beef and veggies with Ethiopian & Eritrean seasoning and a fresh vegetable salad. Come hungry and ready to share a meal that’s both filling and refreshing! Mulu Tewelde came to Vermont from Eritrea in 2006 and enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of Eritrean and Ethiopian cooking. Cost: $10 – $25.
August 15 – VT Law School: Demystifying Intellectual Property (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Have you ever wondered how to protect your art, your website, your designs, or your brand? Have you come up with a new innovation, but don’t know how to protect it? Registering one’s creative or innovative work, and knowing when to ask for permission to use someone else’s work, can help a business build its assets and secure its rights. In this webinar, a panel of experts from Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Small Business Law Clinic will demystify intellectual property, and identify tools you can use for your small business. This class is appropriate for startup and existing businesses.
August 16, 23, 30 – Dorothy Ailing Memorial Library Presents: Adult Meditation Online (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)
Take a break from your day to reconnect to your peaceful body and breath. Join us for a short guided meditation session via Zoom. If you would like to join us, please email daml@damlvt.org and we will send you an invitation to the Zoom meeting.
August 17 – The Root Social Justice Center: Congolese Cultural Event (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
The Root Social Justice Center and ECDC Vermont welcome all to join us for an afternoon of cultural sharing and celebration with members of our local community from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn more about Congolese culture and the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
August 18 – Firefolk Arts – Art Market (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Click the link above to view the list of vendors!
August 21 – Front Door – Growing Homes (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
In collaboration with Champlain Housing Trust (CHT), the Growing Homes Initiative aims to support community members with lived experiences of racial trauma. It offers cultural access, community involvement, and guidance on the path to overall wellness, including economic wellness. Phase One (six months) of Growing Homes is the first step in the roll-out of a program targeted at healing and reducing the racial wealth gap, up to and including home and land ownership!
August 22 – Save the Date: The Ladies Safe Space Networking Event
Keep your calendars open for the next exciting nights in the Ladies Safe Space Summer Series at 126 on Thursday, August 22nd! I’m beyond delighted to have the Ladies Safe Space Summer Series this year and I’m so excited to meet the community of beautiful women out in VT I’m bound to meet. So make sure you tell your girlfriends, neighbors, co-workers, any lovely femme person that you think would enjoy sharing space with us!
August 24 – Walk with a Doc with Dr. Jenn (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
A safe, fun, and FREE place to get some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends. Join Dr. Jenn for Walk with a Doc! Meet at Bennington Community Market for a short talk and then walk the rail trail. If you are 65 or older, you may be able to get paid to walk! Walking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Click here to learn more and to sign up.
August 25 – The Root Social Justice Center: BIPOC Hair Clinic (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
✨SAVE THE DATE!✨ Our BIPOC Hair Clinic is BACK on August 25th, just in time for Back to School! 🎉 👉🏽 APPOINTMENT SIGN-UPS ARE COMING SOON, so stay tuned to our socials! 📍Location: The Root Social Justice Center. 28 Williams St. Brattleboro, VT
August 25 – Unlikely Riders Mountain Bike Group Ride at Killington (5:30 PM)
Unlikely Riders mountain bike meetups are BIPOC group rides without formal instruction. These rides are for people who have experience mountain biking and are interested in going on a group ride with other BIPOC mountain bikers. If you have previously attended an Intro to Mountain Biking event with Unlikely Riders, we recommend attending these Meet-ups!
October 8 – Get Tickets Now: Stacey Abrams at the Vermont Women’s Fund (5:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
We are thrilled to announce that Stacey Abrams will join us to mark the 30th Anniversary for the Vermont Women’s Fund at our 2024 Annual Celebration. The evening will emceed by Jane Lindholm, Vermont Public Host & Executive Producer and feature live music from Myra Flynn. We invite you to save the date for Tuesday, October 8th, 5 – 7:30 pm at The University of Vermont’s Davis Center. Check the newsletter in your email for the discount code!
October 23 – Register Now: 2024 Vermont Nonprofit Summit
Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit professional, a dedicated volunteer, or someone interested in making a difference, this Summit offers something for you. We will dive into topics including fundraising, organizational development, communication, and more. Through an engaging keynote panel, interactive workshops, facilitated discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees will gain valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their impact in the nonprofit sector. Learn from experienced leaders in the field and connect with like-minded peers who share your commitment to creating positive change.
FUNDING & GRANTS
VT PoC BIPOC Relief Fund Open for BIPOC Small Businesses and Community Members
The BIPOC Relief Fund is currently open to BIPOC small business owners and community members who have been impacted by the 2023 and 2024 VT Floods.
Applications should be submitted by August 30th, and funds will be distributed by the end of September.
Vermont Arts Council Artist Development Grant
Artist Development Grants support Vermont artists at all stages of their careers. Grants can fund activities that enhance mastery of an artist’s craft or skills or that increase the viability of an artist’s business. Funding may also support aspects of the creation of new work when the activity allows the grantee to accept a rare and important opportunity. Applications close on September 10.
Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund
The Laurance & Mary Rockefeller Fund will accept applications from organizations working to preserve and enhance the physical, cultural, spiritual, and wellness environment of the communities of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock. The Fund will consider requests for both general operating or project/program support. Applications will be accepted between September 17 and October 8, 2024.
The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships Grants
The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships funds project costs associated with engaged partnerships between organizations and the University of Vermont. The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships accepts applications for partnership projects that involve a Community Partner and a University of Vermont partner. Letter of Intent submissions are open now and are due Friday, September 13, 2024.
Community Action Team
The Vermont Community Action Teams (CATs) are groups of employees at each of Ben & Jerry’s three Vermont manufacturing and office facilities. They offer general or project support within the broad guidelines and funding provided by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund Grant
The Hunger Mountain Cooperative Community Fund (HMCCF) provides financial assistance to businesses, organizations, individuals, and initiatives aligned with our mission to build a dynamic community of healthy individuals, sustainable local food systems, and thriving cooperative commerce. This year, we will consider requests for grants of $250 to $2,000 and will only fund projects that are designed to support local food systems, food access, and projects that address inequities in the local food system. Submission deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
Oppurtunity Fund for Southshire Youth
A growing fund with the goal of ensuring a source of revenue for dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford in perpetuity. Awards grants for creative and effective initiatives that empower and support Bennington-area teenagers, particularly those facing challenges and limited access to opportunities due to economic distress, disengagement from school, mental health issues, racism, gender identity, disability, legal status, or other reasons. Applications will be accepted between September 3, 2024 and October 15, 2024.
Vermont Arts Council Creative Aging Grant
Creative Aging grants support skill-based instruction alongside opportunities for social engagement and community building in and through the arts for older adults. Applicants to the Creative Aging grant program are non-profits with 501(c)(3) status, such as arts organizations, area agencies on aging, or social service organizations for example. Applications will be accepted between September 1, 2024 and November 1, 2024.
Vermont Arts Council Early Childhood Arts Partnership Grants
The Early Childhood Arts Partnership grants provide early education programs with direct opportunities to help children gain an appreciation for the arts and be better prepared for school. Grant funds support arts and arts-integrated experiences through partnerships with arts organizations and/or with highly-qualified teaching artists in pre-school classrooms. Applications will be accepted between September 1, 2024 and November 1, 2024.
Awesome Grant
Have a crazy brilliant idea that needs funding? We award $1,000 grants every month. It couldn’t be simpler! Your idea is yours alone. We don’t want a stake in it. We just want to help you make it happen! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Skip Monthly Grants
Have a crazy brilliant idea that needs funding? We award $1,000 grants every month. It couldn’t be simpler! Your idea is yours alone. Looking for grants to fuel your business or passion? Skip’s grants are now bigger and better than ever. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
The BIPOC Artist Exchange and Activation Initiative
The BIPOC Artist Exchange and Activation Initiative is designed to showcase the contributions of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists to the New England art community. This program empowers BIPOC artists in New Hampshire and New England, inspiring local BIPOC artists by introducing them to artists from outside our community. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.
Social Equity: Vermont Cannabis Control Board
Individuals that have been determined to meet social equity status by the Vermont Cannabis Control Board may be eligible to receive a beneficiary payment from this program. Eligible applicants must have completed the intake process with Roads Consulting, the state’s provider of cannabis business technical assistance. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Flood Recovery Rebates for Residents
Qualifying low- and moderate-income Vermont homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $29,500 per household to replace flood-damaged appliances and equipment. Damage must have occurred between July 10 – July 31, 2023 (or July 10 – August 10 for residents of Addison County). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Flood Recovery Rebates for Businesses
Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by recent floods can receive a flood recovery rebate of 100% of costs up to $4,000 per product for up to four products, in addition to standard offers. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Bizee’s Entrepreneur Grant
Are you a student? This grant is for you! You’ve got big ideas, and we want to turn them into a reality. One young scholar with entrepreneurial spirit will receive $2,500 to continue their education. Application date coming soon.
Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking to start or grow your business? This grant is for you! Whether you’re starting over or starting from scratch, Bizee wants to be there to help your business succeed. One adult entrepreneur will receive $2,500 to put toward business startup costs and will also receive free formation services from Bizee. Application date coming soon.
NEWS
New Childcare Payroll Tax Effective July 1
The 2023 Childcare Bill, Act 76, expands access to and funding for childcare. It also imposes a 0.44% payroll tax that will go into effect on July 1, 2024. Employers may elect to cover the tax in full or split it with employees with 0.33% paid by the employer and 0.11% paid by the employee.
Vermont’s Covid-19 cases on the upswing this summer
Data from wastewater plants and emergency departments show that the virus is multiplying again, according to the state health department.
Vermont to seek disaster declaration for NEK floods
The overnight storm earlier this week dropped record rainfall on the region, destroyed homes, stranded residents and washed out roads. State officials say they’ve already tallied over $6 million in damage to public infrastructure.
Vermont floods raise concerns about future of state’s hundreds of aging dams
The second bad flood in a year raises concerns about the viability of Vermont dams as climate change brings heavier rains and more powerful storms.
