**The Small Business Resiliency Fund is now closed. Click here to learn about the grantees.**

VBSR envisions a thriving economy with greater resilience to future crises.

Vermont’s long history of business innovation has proven that people-first, community-oriented, and sustainable business practices create economic, social, and environmental resilience.

We can create a stronger Vermont – one that is equitable, resilient, and sustainable – by providing targeted assistance to the values-led businesses that are the lifeblood of our communities. These enterprises provide critical goods and services, local jobs, and public good through:

  • Employee-First Workplaces
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Investment in Local Economies
  • Positive Community Impact

         

The Challenge

COVID-19 has forced Vermont’s business community into a period of unprecedented and rapid transformation, with results both devastating and inspiring. Many of the state’s small businesses have employed creativity and innovation to quickly pivot their business model in response to changing regulations, labor, supply chains, and consumer behavior. Yet they lack sufficient working capital and technical assistance to maintain long-term viability.

The Opportunity

To complement the critical response and recovery efforts being carried out across the state, VBSR has developed a new fund to support small business resilience. The VBSR Small Business Resiliency Fund will provide grants to small businesses in Vermont who demonstrate the ability to rebuild, sustain, and grow their operations through a “triple- bottom-line” focused on people, planet, and prosperity.

Grantees will receive cash awards of $10,000 and referrals to VBSR partner organizations offering financial and technical assistance, including business planning, working capital, impact assessment, marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain management.

A committee of VBSR partners will select proposals based upon financial viability, need, and excellence. Applicants may apply in one or more of the following categories:

  • Downtown Vitality
  • Green Economy
  • Health & Wellness
  • Local Food System
  • Social Change

Businesses led by People of Color, New Americans, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals from historically underrepresented populations will be given preference.

Ways to Give

Help us reach our goal of raising $60K for the VBSR Small Business Resiliency Fund!

  • Make a secure online donation here
  • Contact Roxanne Vought, Executive Director for gifts over $500

Support can take the form of gifts, matching or challenge gifts, or a commitment to cover the 5% administrative cost of the fund so that 100% of the funds raised can be granted to awardees. Donors may request that their gift be applied to a specific category (or categories).

 

The VBSR Small Business Resiliency Fund is Supported By:

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              VSECU Logo

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