The Vermont Early Childhood Fund (VECF) is a Building Bright Futures (BBF) program. VECF grants support creative solutions that will improve the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and the Vermont communities where they live. These grants are open to nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, and schools.
Announcing the Fall 2024 Grantees
BBF received 51 competitive applications from throughout Vermont for the fall 2024 round of VECF grants, and requests far surpassed the available funding. Applications were evaluated by 26 reviewers including BBF staff members, parents, nonprofit leaders, and state agency representatives from the Office of Racial Equity, Child Development Division, Department of Health, and Department of Mental Health. A total of $1.9 million has been awarded to 28 organizations throughout the state to increase equitable access to services and programs, improve program quality, develop workforce, and engage families and connect them to services:
Spotlight on VECF Grantees
Child Care Center Rebuilds After a Devastating Fire
Northwestern Medical Center Expands Access to Autism Screenings and Supports
Early Childhood Workforce Development for New Vermonters in Brattleboro
Background
VECF was established in 2021 thanks to a generous grant from a private donor. Thanks to the Sunflower Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation, VECF was able to continue in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In its first three years, VECF distributed nearly $200,000 to 14 organizations addressing a variety of needs throughout Vermont.
In late 2022, Vermont was awarded a $23 million federal grant to strengthen the state’s early childhood system, support the early childhood workforce, and improve the quality and availability of services for family and children from prenatal to age 8. The Vermont Integration Project: Building Integration in Vermont’s Birth-5 Early Childhood Systems (VIP B-5) will provide a total of $6 million in subgrants over a three-year period to local communities.
BBF administers the subgrant program through VECF. Awards made through the Fund address the gaps and opportunities outlined in the 2020 Early Childhood Needs Assessment and align with the goals laid out in the Vermont Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP).
Goal 1: All children have a healthy start.
Goal 2: Family and community play a leading role in children’s well-being.
Goal 3: All children and families have access to high-quality opportunities that meet their needs.
Goal 4: The early childhood system will be integrated, well-resourced, and data-informed.
