2023 began with a sense that we were leaving the chaotic years of the pandemic behind us, and indeed the first half of the year felt great. In just one example, we completed Vermont Reads: El viaje más caro with a record-breaking 108 participating communities. But by July, the climate crisis let us know that perhaps “normal” was gone and we need to practice being nimble and flexible for the foreseeable future.
In 2023, 68,529 people took part in our programs, and we hosted or supported 899 activities, across all fourteen Vermont counties.
Our grantmaking program has grown significantly every year for the last five years. In 2023 we reached a record amount — $826,350 to support 137 projects in all 14 counties. This is over 16 times the amount we granted in 2018, greatly exceeding the challenge set for us in 2020 by the National Endowment for the Humanities to rethink the ways in which we support humanities projects in all parts of Vermont.
Our work depends on the generosity of our many donors and volunteers. In 2023, Vermont Humanities received donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations committed to providing literacy and public humanities programs in every county in Vermont. We are grateful to each of you!
Revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and net assets for Vermont Humanities at the conclusion of Fiscal Year 2023.
In 2023, we funded 54 Project Grants projects totaling $246,250. We funded 42 Rapid Response Grants totaling $40,100, almost double that of 2022. We also allocated $400,000 in Flood Relief Grants to 41 community organizations and gave $65,000 in Partnership Grants to 8 core organizations.
Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.
Humanities Camps are filled with reading and writing projects, field trips, and outdoor activities.
We won a 2020 Schwartz Prize for best public humanities programming in the U.S. for Vermont Reads 2019: “March: Book One.”
We supported the Chandler Center for the Arts’ Global Connections Youth Outreach program, which highlights artists from around the world.
Our free public events help bring the power of the humanities to communities across Vermont.
