The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has established a $100,000 Greater Together Community Fund for the Town of Vernon. This includes $50,000 immediately available for grantmaking, and $50,000 allocated to endowment.

Announcing Call for Grant Applications - Deadline September 30, 2025

The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund is pleased to announce the availability of funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for projects directly benefiting the Vernon community. The Vernon Advisory Committee is focused on funding programs that will improve or enhance the quality of life of Vernon residents. Preference will be given to projects that focus on underserved populations or sections of Vernon. We invite all 501(c)3’s - big or small to submit an application and share their ideas for serving our community.

Purpose

The purpose of the Greater Together Community Funds is to:

  • support the community in taking ownership around the needs in Vernon;
  • encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement; and
  • Grow the Vernon Greater Together Community Fund (VGTCF), seated within the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Potential Grant Award

The size of the grant awards will be based on the scope and focus of proposals. The minimum award for any proposal is $250 and the maximum grant shall not exceed $10,000. However, additional funding for proposals can be sought from other sources.

Review & Selection Process

Any nonprofit registered as a 501(c)(3) organization that serves the community of Vernon is eligible to submit an application. Nonprofits do not need to be headquartered or based in Vernon, but must serve and benefit Vernon residents.

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis by the Vernon Community Fund Advisory Committee and will be evaluated according to the merit and relevance to the call.

Please note that all grant awards are made at the sole discretion of the Vernon Community Fund Advisory Committee.

The application and budget template can be downloaded below, and the completed form emailed to vernonac@hfpgcommunityfunds.org.

grant application

project budget template

KEY DATES:

  • 8/1/2025 - Call for Applications Open
  • 9/30/2025 - Applications Close
  • Final decisions on grant awards will be announced in or before January 2026

Our committee would be happy to walk you through the process if needed.  If you need any specific accommodations in applying, please do not hesitate to ask.   For questions or to submit an application, please contact the Vernon Advisory Committee at vernonac@hfpgcommunityfunds.org.

Vernon GTCF Advisory Committee Announces 2024 Grant Awards

In April 2024, the Vernon Greater Together Community Fund made their third round of grants to eight organizations, for a total of $28,006 in grant dollars. 

Past Grant Awards

The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund has made grants to the following organizations:

2021 Inaugural Grant Awards
2023 Grant Awards
  • The Cornerstone Foundation received $10,000 to fund a new generator for the community kitchen
  • Opportunity Works CT received $10,000 for completion of a Sensory Room in Downtown Rockville. Funding will be used to purchase ADA bathroom fixtures, overhead lighting and interactive equipment.
  • Friends of Rockville Public Library received $2,000 to fund their Museum Pass Program
  • RHS Project Graduation received $500 to help cover the cost of Project Graduation, which provides a safe event for graduates the night of graduation.
  • Vernon Community Network received $4,000 to fund their Circle of Moms support program. 
  • Interval House received $2,500 to offer assistance to residents of Vernon experiencing domestic violence under their Victim to Survivor Program
  • Bridge Family Center received $3,000 to purchase furniture for their Rockville Counseling Center.
  • Strong Family Farm received $1,500 to purchase volunteer management software and hold software training.
  • Evergreen Family Theatre received $10,000 to fund their Sprouts Program for Fall 2023.

Vernon Greater Together Community Funds Committee Members

Vernon has formed a committee to manage a participatory process to identify your town's needs and allocate community funds. The role of the Committee is to design and lead an inclusive process to identify the needs in your community, and design a grantmaking process aimed to ensure that the Community Funds can have the greatest impact for the benefit of town residents.

The Committee members for Vernon are:

Angela Falls
Ann Bonney
Carol Grasis
Crystal Hayes
Diane “DC” Harris
Judy Blei
Noor Khan
Sheila Reveron
Stephanie Toise
Stephen Taylor

The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is Seeking New Voices!

Applications are being accepted now!

The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee is now accepting applications for committee members. In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established community funds for each of the 29 towns in the Foundation's geographic region, which includes Vernon. Over the last 5 years, the Vernon Greater Together Community Fund has distributed a total of $95,000 to support projects in our town. We value all voices and need your help to continue to make a difference right here in Vernon.

Requirements to Apply:

  • Vernon Resident
  • Age 14 or Older
  • Not an Elected Official

Click here for more information about volunteering with Greater Together Community Funds. 

Please complete the online application to become a Vernon GTCF Committee member. We will invite new volunteers to meet with us in May.

Have questions, need more information?  Please email us at  vernon@hfpgcommunityfunds.org

Click here to read the Committee Conflict of Interest Policy

For media inquiries, please contact Chris Senecal at csenecal@hfpg.org.