Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund supports animals, arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, and human services in Vermont.
FUNDING AREAS: Animals, arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, human services
IP TAKE: Approach this funder with a Vermont-focused request about a local environmental concern or health cause.
PROFILE: Established in 2002, the Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund is a private foundation focused on the state of Vermont. Nisbet was the great-granddaughter of John L. Dodge and G. Willis Peters, who were involved with the Mahaiwe National Bank and the Wyantanuck Country Club. She and her husband retired in Morrisville, Vermont in the 1970s, and she passed away in 2000 at the age of 94. Today, the foundation supports educational, health, human services, and arts programming for underserved populations. It is managed by Bank of America’s Connecticut office. Bank of America serves as a co-trustee along with Ward F. Cleary, Esq. Grantmaking supports work related to animals, the arts, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, and human services.
This funder supports a wide range of topics in a narrow geographic area. It gives special consideration to requests that address the issues of healthcare, nursing, domestic violence awareness, heart disease, and endangered species. The foundation trustees do not support capital projects, annual giving, deficit financing, or endowments. Past local support has gone to Copley Hospital, Hunger Free Vermont, Audubon Vermont, and River Arts of Morrisville.
Foundation grants range between $5,000 and $20,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking is primarily focused on the community of Morrisville, Vermont. Although other communities receive support, all applicants must have an office in the state of Vermont. Grants are for one-year periods. Grantmaking guidelines are posted on the foundation website.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline is January 15, and applicants can expect to hear back with a funding decision within about two to three months after this date. Grantseekers must use the Bank of America online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at ct.grantmaking@ustrust.com or 860-244-4870.
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