Community

Nothing makes us happier than lending a hand.

Of course we care. This is our home, too.

[Applications closed for 2024]

At NorthCountry, our team is committed to serving our neighbors in every way possible. We offer financial support to 501(c)3 and 501(c)19 nonprofits that make this little corner of the world a better place for all of us. For questions regarding community giving, contact us or review the community giving grant application for more information.

Here are some community friends and collaborators we’ve been fortunate to support for five or more years:

  • American Cancer Society – Hope Lodge
  • ANEW Place
  • Cancer Patient Support Foundation – NCFCU Rural Transportation Fund
  • Capstone Community Action – Fuel Your Neighbors
  • Central Vermont Medical Center – Branches of Hope
  • Greater Burlington YMCA – Youth and YA Programming
  • Humane Society of Chittenden County
  • Lund Family Center
  • McClure Miller Respite House
  • Rhino Food Foundation – Income Advance Program
  • Ronald McDonald House (Burlington)
  • Vermont Children's Trust Foundation

You've got questions, we've got answers

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Complete the standard application and submit it according to the instructions. Please allow six to eight weeks for a decision.

You can apply anytime! We set aside a budget for community giving starting January 1st of every year. We make donations throughout the year until those funds run out. It can take six to eight weeks to process an application, so if the funds are time sensitive please keep that in mind. You are allowed to apply more than once a year and/or multiple years in a row.

Our only requirement is that you are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Some causes we give to are health, human services, arts and leisure, social responsibility, and education.

Funding is not offered for:

  • Religious*, political, advocacy, for-profit, or labor organizations
  • Organizations with missions that conflict with our corporate guidelines
  • Operating funds (utilities, payroll, dues, etc.)
  • Individuals
  • Travel/trips/tours**
  • Private education
  • Private daycare centers

* Programs sponsored by a religious organization (such as addiction recovery and food shelves), may qualify for consideration.

** Small requests for educational trips may be approved at the discretion of your local branch.

NorthCountry has several channels of community giving. Requests over $5,000 are submitted to our Board of Directors for review; our employee-run Cares Committee reviews requests up to $5,000; and each branch has a community giving budget as well. The amount approved is determined by the need for the project/program, the benefit to the population, and the impact on community.