Vermont Council on Rural Development

09/14/2026

We're grateful to be in good company with CommonGoodVT.org and our local nonprofits! Want another great way to network and learn alongside other nonprofits? Join us at the Community Leadership Summit! Learn more at vtrural.org/summit

Nonprofits help local leaders and their communities grow stronger. The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) serves Vermont communities through trusted, non-partisan facilitation. From the annual Community Leadership Summit to community-led programs, VCRD brings Vermonters together to listen to each other, take action on common goals, and build leadership skills for success.

We are excited to celebrate the wide array of organizations that serve Vermonters across the state. Look out for more posts in the coming weeks highlighting the work of Vermont nonprofits.

09/14/2026

It's not quite autumn, but we're nearly there! The latest VCRD newsletter includes updates on next month's Vermont Community Leadership Summit, the newly revised Vermont Community Leadership in Action Guide, news from communities we're working with and more! Read all about it here: https://conta.cc/4gMxEHf

09/10/2026

We are excited for the kick off of Wardsboro Turns Up Community Visit next Thursday, September 17 from 4:30-8:30 pm, and encourage all Wardsboro community members to attend!

The event includes a FREE community dinner and discussion on schools, businesses, housing, recreation, affordability, and more! Forums will take place at the Wardsboro Town Hall and Methodist Church, and childcare will be provided at the Library. A Visiting Team of partners from across the state will attend to listen and reflect.

You can learn more about the event and share your ideas online at bit.ly/WardsboroTurnsUp. We hope to see you on Thursday!

09/08/2026

Thank you to our Vermont Community Leadership Summit sponsor Front Porch Forum! Our sponsors help us put on an enormous summit, which includes twenty-eight different leadership skills workshops on advancing community projects that strengthen local vitality and quality of life. Learn more and register at vtrural.org/summit

09/01/2026

Thank you to Community National Bank, VT for sponsoring the 2026 Vermont Community Leadership Summit! Their support helps us deliver a fantastic event and keep registration costs accessible so everyone can take part. Learn more and register at vtrural.org/summit

08/28/2026

Reminder! The deadline for Village Trust Initiative applications is Tuesday, September 8th at 5pm. VCRD, The Preservation Trust of Vermont and The Vermont Community Foundation are looking forward to selecting the next cohort of VTI. Questions about applications? Email Kaziah Haviland at [email protected] or Nicole Gratton at [email protected]

Looking for fun for the whole family this Saturday? Head to West Fairlee for their Old Home Day on the green on Route 113 from 9am-3pm on Aug 29th. Live music, silent auction, food & sweets, vendors, demos, plant sale, face painting, 50/50 raffle, pie contest, games and more! Say hello to the West Fairlee Community Trust, part of our 2024 VTI cohort, for us!

08/27/2026

"At VCRD, we're fortunate to see a Vermont where neighbors come together and support one another, and where hopes, worries, and differences can be heard and addressed through shared problem-solving." - VCRD Executive Director Denise Smith and VCRD Board Chair Shannon Barsotti. Visit https://www.vtrural.org/2025-annual-report/ for an overview of our work serving communities and building local leaders!

08/26/2026

VCRD is announcing the opening of applications for the sixth round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund, a small catalytic grant program for local innovative climate projects! Grant awardees have created rain barrel workshops, funded ebike loaners for their library, farmer work bees and more. This is a low barrier fund with a simple application, learn more and apply at vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-catalysts-innovation-fund/ Deadline is October 14th!

08/24/2026

Thank you to our VCLS sponsor The Vermont Community Foundation! Our sponsors help us put on a fantastic summit, which includes a sliding fee registration scale so leadership skills workshops can be available to all. vtrural.org/summit

08/20/2026

Reading Community Trust, a member of the 2024 VTI Cohort, has been celebrating the purchase of the Reading Grange with a community clean up day. During their clean out of the Grange, they even hauled out a boat! Check out their photos and video of some amazing "all hands on deck" work by the Reading community.