The hospital awards $25,000 each year to local organizations and projects that share its mission of improving health and wellness in the community and addressing social determinants of health
MIDDLEBURY, VT – University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center is making thousands of dollars in grant funding available to local organizations working to address the top health priorities identified in Addison County’s 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment.
The grant application process is open to non-profit, municipal or other government organizations working to address the top three priorities – health care access, housing and mental health and substance use – and which primarily support residents in the hospital’s primary service area, which is Addison County.
A total of $25,000 is available, and organizations can request single year or multi-year funding. The application deadline is Thursday, May 8 at Midnight. Funding decisions will be announced by July 1.
“No organization can do this work alone,” said Amanda Froeschle, a senior community health liaison for University of Vermont Health Network who oversees the hospital’s annual grant awards process. “Improving health and wellness and addressing social determinants of health takes all of us working together.”
This is the third year the hospital has awarded community health investment funding to local partners as part of its mission to improve health and wellness throughout its primary service area.
In 2023, the hospital awarded $25,000 to Counseling Services of Addison County, which used the grant to create an emotional CPR program that helps members of the community understand how to effectively respond to people experiencing mental health distress.
Last year, the hospital awarded $25,000 to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, which used the grant to expand access to free health services including footcare, blood draws and vaccinations for homebound, vulnerable and underserved older adults.
“Addison County has many organizations working to improve health, wellness, access to services and resources that improve the lives of our friends, family and neighbors,” said Bob Ortmyer, president of UVM Health Network – Porter Medical Center. “Each of them is a major asset and partner in our shared mission. We are proud to support their impactful work and thankful for everything they do to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.”