The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund supports local innovative climate projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. In this round, $82,500 in grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 were awarded to 25 local projects developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. Funded projects were chosen by a team of VCRD staff and the Climate Economy Initiative Advisory Committee including member representatives from EastRise Credit Union, Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, Regional Planning Commissions, and Efficiency Vermont. In making award decisions, we look for projects that are innovative, replicable, collaborative, equitable, and have positive climate/energy impacts. Thanks to the generous support of Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, East Rise Credit Union, the Ruth H. Brown Foundation, Vermont Community Foundation Funds including the Sunflower Fund, and Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE) who together provided funding for this second round.
This report describes outcomes of third round projects in the words of the awardees. Read the Report.
We appreciate the dedication and efforts of each team and the collective impact of the work for Vermont’s future.