Building Better Places

A crumbling underpass in Royalton was transformed into a vibrant display of public art last September thanks to a communityled initiative to raise $8,000 and unlock a $16,000 Better Places grant.

“Passage,” which brightens the highly visible underpass with photographic images, represents the four seasons, while poetry passages and reflective disks represent the White River. This installment is just one of 24 Better Places projects collectively engaging more than 1,900 Vermonters to donate to vibrant community-space projects around the state.

Designed as a way to support locally conceived projects and build community, the Better Places program requires towns to crowdfund a portion of the project costs. Once met, the group is awarded a grant that is two-times the amount raised.

“The collaboration of local organizations and businesses in the fundraising effort brought us into contact with individuals within the community who may not otherwise be involved,” said Victoria Paquin, town administrator for Royalton. “This project has brought awareness to the need to create a sense of place, ownership, and pride in our community.” Donations to the SoRo Underpass project, ranging from $10 to $1,000, came from 93 patrons.

As the social, cultural, and economic centers of our rural state, revitalization projects in Vermont’s downtowns, village centers, new town centers, or neighborhood development areas have an outsized influence. They attract tourism and new businesses, and contribute to community pride and identity. The crowdfunding aspect bridges a divide sometimes felt in fundraising by demonstrating that every dollar has an impact—not just the big donations—and all members of the community can participate in making their town a better place, through “crowdgranting”!

In partnership with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, the Vermont Department of Health, and Patronicity, the Community Foundation issues grants from the Better Places Fund and provides support to grantees.

Alex Hanson, Royalton