Funding is now available for news and information providers and community partners through the Press Forward Vermont News & Community Collaboration grant program. This is the first competitive funding opportunity from Vermont’s chapter of Press Forward, a national effort to strengthen local news so people have the information they need to stay informed, connected, and engaged. The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) is proud to lead this work in Vermont.

Local news is a public good. Like sidewalks and libraries, it benefits everyone. It helps people understand what’s happening in their communities and participate in shaping their future.

Last year, the Vermont Community Foundation asked Vermonters what they want from local news. The VCF heard that people want to see themselves reflected in local stories. They want reporting that is accessible, solutions-oriented, and relevant to their communities. At the same time, many local newsrooms face increasingly limited capacity to comprehensively cover local issues and community perspectives. Even when important stories are produced, they don’t always reach everyone who could benefit from them. Meanwhile, many Vermonters turn to trusted community-based organizations, such as service providers, nonprofits, and neighbors instead of traditional media to get information they can count on.  

These findings point to an important opportunity. This new grant program will support collaboration between local news providers and community organizations to expand the reach of local news, engage new audiences, and create community-informed content. Funding may be used to launch new models or strengthen existing collaborations.

Applications must be submitted as a partnership between a Vermont news or information provider and a nonprofit or governmental community partner (examples include nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, etc.). Priority will be given to projects that address one or more community-related needs, challenges, or opportunities identified in the Vermont News & Information Ecosystem Report.   

The VCF intends to award approximately 10-12 grants of up to $10,000 each. First-time grantseekers are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026. Applicants will be notified about funding decisions by December 2026.

For complete eligibility requirements, program guidelines, and application information, visit vermontcf.org/pfvt-community-collab.

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The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as an enduring source of philanthropic support for Vermont communities. A family of more than 1,000 funds, foundations, and supporting organizations, the Foundation makes it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love. The Community Foundation and its partners put more than $80 million annually to work in Vermont communities and beyond. The heart of its work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. The Community Foundation envisions Vermont at its best—where everyone can build a bright, secure future. Visit vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information. Give where your heart lives.