The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the sixth round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund, a small catalytic grant program for local innovative climate projects.
VCRD launched the fund in 2021 to support local innovators in developing climate and energy solutions for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact. To date, this fund has awarded 109 local innovators with over $345,500 in collective support for community-led climate and energy projects. Last year, CCIF recipient COVER Home Repair of White River Junction built a solar trailer that provides power to everything from work site tools to sound systems during events.
“I’m so grateful to VCRD for providing COVER with the grant funding to make this solar trailer project possible,” said Conor Teal, Work Crew Leader at COVER. “It’ll make our worksites safer, more efficient, and hopefully inspire our volunteers and other contractors to move toward installing solar power systems at their workplaces or in their homes.”
In collaboration with multiple funding partners, VCRD supports projects that deliver community-scale impact with solutions that strengthen community resilience, reduce energy use, and create new approaches to local challenges.
“Five rounds of flexible, accessible funds have been distributed to individuals and organizations around Vermont moving climate projects forward,” said Laura Cavin Bailey, Climate Economy director. “The projects continue to show a wide range of ideas and inspiring action.”
Grants are awarded based on criteria that combine innovation, resilience, collaboration, replicability, and service to marginalized communities and those most affected by natural disasters. Eligible applicants include municipalities, town committees, schools, businesses, volunteer groups, and non-profit organizations.
Applications will close October 14th at 5pm. To apply, see past projects, and learn more, visit https://www.vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-catalysts-innovation-fund/. For more information, contact Laura Cavin Bailey at [email protected] or (802) 234-1646.
Vermont Council on Rural Development
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of the locally-defined progress of Vermont’s rural communities. VCRD is a dynamic partnership of federal, state, local, nonprofit and private partners. Actively non-partisan with an established reputation for community-based facilitation, VCRD is uniquely positioned to sponsor and coordinate collaborative efforts across governmental and organizational categories concerned with policy questions of rural importance. The organization has successfully completed over 100 community visits, resulting in locally defined projects like new childcare centers, wastewater infrastructure, downtown redevelopments, and more.