Human Services Funding

Essex Human Services Fund

Every year, the Town of Essex, Vermont invites program funding requests from nonprofits who support the delivery of vital community services. Using a range of resources, the Essex Selectboard determines specific focus areas as human service priorities for residents of the Essex community.

The period to accept applications for FY23 funds is open until February 15, 2023. Be sure to sign up for email notifications (green sign up button) for notices about funding cycles and important deadlines (3-4 emails per year).

Recent News

November 7, 2022: The Selectboard approved focus areas for FY23 funding. Focus areas provide reviewers a foundation for scoring. A new focus area was added for FY23 to encourage applications from nonprofit organizations that provide services that support increasing workforce development.

June 6, 2022: The Town Selectboard awarded $159,261 for FY22 Essex Human Services Funding to local nonprofit organizations. The Town received 34 applications totaling $300,857 in requests, which is $58,992 more than last year. In the past two years, the requests from nonprofit agencies have increased 90 percent. The Selectboard partially awarded 28 of the highest scoring requests. Awards were based on a formula correlated with how well applicants scored. Awards are expected to go out before June 30th.

March 1, 2022: The FY23 Budget in the amount of $166,753 for Essex Human Services Funding was approved by voters. Applications for FY23 funds will open in the fall of 2022 and will be awarded in June 2023.

November 9, 2021: The FY22 online application and guidelines are now available. Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2022. If you have applied in previous years, be sure to read the new and updated guidelines for support in completing your application and eligibility requirements.

May 3, 2021: The Town Selectboard awarded $153,322 for FY21 Essex Human Services Funding to local nonprofit organizations. The Selectboard also approved the focus areas for the next funding cycle, which remain unchanged. The Town received 33 applications totaling $241,865 in requests, which is $84,165 more than last year--a 53% increase. A long-time goal for the Town of Essex to promote awareness of the funds available for nonprofits has likely contributed to the 10% increase in applications and has successfully brought a diverse pool of applicants and programs to apply. Two-thirds of the applications were partially funded from what is becoming an increasingly competitive grant process. This resulted in prioritized funding to organizations providing the most benefit to Essex residents. Scoring and guidelines for the next cycle will include some changes to support the application, review and scoring process. Awards are expected to go out before June 30th.