The Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) grant program is designed to assist Vermont nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that hinder their ability to fulfill their mission. This initiative, funded by the Vermont Community Foundation, aims to support organizations that provide essential services related to basic human needs such as social services, food access, housing, and health-related services. Grants of up to $5,000 are available on an ongoing basis for eligible organizations.

The primary purpose of the SUN grant program is to address short-term needs that arise unexpectedly. Eligible projects may include emergency repairs of building structures or mechanical systems that suddenly fail and disrupt service provision. For instance, funding could cover costs associated with urgent roof repairs due to unforeseen damage or the restoration of unusable water supply systems at food shelves. Additionally, grants can be used for replacing essential equipment or technology that fails unexpectedly, such as a malfunctioning crisis hotline system or kitchen appliances in shelters.

Organizations may also apply for funding to provide services or acquire resources that were not anticipated in their budgets but are critical for their operations. Examples include training programs for staff dealing with trauma in communities affected by disasters or hiring temporary replacements during medical emergencies. Furthermore, the program supports initiatives aimed at enhancing staff and volunteer mental health during periods of extraordinary stress or turnover.

Eligibility for the SUN grant program is limited to organizations located in Vermont or those serving its residents. Priority will be given to applicants with operating budgets of $500,000 or less who focus on meeting basic human needs. However, it is important to note what the SUN program does not fund; this includes deferred maintenance projects, construction overruns, religious purposes, individual requests, debts, and budget deficits.

Submission requirements are straightforward as applications are accepted on a rolling basis without a specific deadline. Organizations interested in applying should ensure their proposals align with the criteria set forth by the SUN program regarding unbudgeted and unforeseen expenses. The application process involves answering specific questions related to the proposed project and demonstrating how it meets urgent community needs.

Evaluation criteria will focus on how well proposals address immediate challenges faced by organizations while supporting basic human needs within Vermont communities. The review process will consider both the urgency of need and potential impact on service delivery.

For more information about this grant opportunity and application details, interested parties can visit the Vermont Community Foundation's website at https://vermontcf.org/funds/sun/. Organizations can also reach out directly via email at jmulcahy@vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for further inquiries regarding eligibility and submission processes.