Short to Mid-Term Support

As communities rebuild after Irene, they need support for the components of their local economies: the small businesses, the farms, and the nonprofits. Below is a description of the funds we recommended to donors for their contributions.

Small Businesses

The VT Irene Flood Relief Fund is a fund that has been set up to distribute donations to Vermont businesses in need. Getting back up and running is going to be a challenge for many small businesses that were in the path of the flood waters. Without the economic base of these businesses, affected towns will have an even more difficult time rebuilding.

Farms

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture partnered with the Community Foundation to establish the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund. This fund has provided grant support directly to farmers who have suffered losses as a result of Irene. Additional grants will be made this spring.

Nonprofits

The Community Foundation established the Special and Urgent Needs - Irene Recovery Fund to  provide quick support to nonprofit organizations that were either affected by the flood or have seen a dramatic increase in demand for services because of the flood. We are no longer collecting contributions for this fund, but grants are still being awarded.