Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Established

VERNON, CT — The town of Vernon has received a $100,000 grant to establish the "Vernon Greater Together Community Fund" from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The fund is designed to "support residents in taking ownership of their town's needs, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each town. In 2019, the Foundation established the Greater Together Community Fund program

to help residents participate in "identifying and addressing needs in their community."

Vernon is one of 29 towns receiving funding.

As required by the foundation, Vernon's Community Fund will be overseen by an advisory committee consisting of town residents "representative and reflective of the community at large."

Officials said town residents will take the lead in deciding how Vernon's Community Fund will be used to "address community needs and then design a grant-making process to ensure the maximum impact and benefit to town residents."

The Foundation will provide oversight on participatory decision making, grant-making, and fund development.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and members of our community to find innovative ways to engage our residents and enhance the quality of life in Vernon,” said Michelle Hill, Vernon's director of youth services and co-chairperson of the Greater Together Community Fund Selection Committee. "We encourage residents with a passion and interest in helping our community to step forward and work with us in building a greater Vernon."

Nominations for the Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee can be submitted online by visiting https://www.hfpg.org/donors/ways-to-give/community-funds/vernon.

Questions regarding committee membership may be emailed to hfpg4vernon@gmail.com.

The deadline for applications is July 31.