Reflections from the 2021 KT Mini-Grant Program!

As 2022 comes to a close, Kingdom Trails is excited to share the progress of grants awarded in 2021 during the 3rd Annual KT Mini-Grant Program! KT was privileged to receive $42,685 in funding requests for the $25,000 allotted by the Kingdom Trails Board of Directors. The KT Mini-Grant Selection Committee received 10 applications in 2021 and we were able to fund every application in some way, shape, or form- extending the network’s positive impact beyond the trails and to our shared community! KT is grateful for the opportunity to fund these projects that seek to enhance and enrich the life of our community. 

Take a look at some of the projects a few awardees have been able to accomplish with the funds provided from KT and the local community: 

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Cobleigh Library was awarded $2,000 to install 2 bike racks, made by Lyndon Institute students, and 1 bike repair station in front of the library for public use, along with educational programming related to use of the repair station. You can hear more about the success of this project in an NBC5 interview with Bryn Hoffman from the Cobleigh Library! (Pictures below!)

The Town of Burke was awarded $3,500 to support the purchase of a 103-acre parcel to establish a Community Forest for use by Burke residents and visitors for educational purposes and multi-use recreation, plus wildlife habitat and corridors, water quality, and wetland protection. You can read more about the success of this project at the Vermont Land Trust website! 

Kingdom East School District Outdoor Club and the Hilltopper MTB Club were awarded $2,000 (Outdoor) and $3,000 (Hilltopper) to cover the expenses of 8 KESD students to join the Hilltopper MTB Club to learn biking skills and participate in races organized by Vermont Youth Cycling and  develop an Outdoor Club for KESD to create opportunities for students to participate in outdoor activities with proper outdoor gear. Take a look at all the programs KESD is offering through these clubs here! (pictures below!)

Upright Steeple Society was awarded $2,000 To support the restoration of an 1829 Greek Revival Church that now hosts community events such as meetings, concerts, and lectures, reducing heat loss and preserving the historic windows. All the windows and upper/lower sashes were fixed and replaced with storm windows that preserve the historical nature of the building! Upright Steeple can now host community events without the outdoor weather affecting the building. (pictures below!)

The Town of Lyndon and Lyndon Chamber were awarded $2,500 to reinvigorate and reinvent the covered bridges in the Town of Lyndon to be great historic landmarks and lively places of the present, including interpretive, educational signage. Wreaths were hung on all five covered bridges from December to March. Many community members shared appreciation for the wreaths as a small token of care to each of the bridges. Schoolhouse bridge was painted in June by volunteers. A final coat is being applied in September with a different donation source. Two kiosks were installed, one at Sanborn CB and one at Schoolhouse CB, with information about the bridges, the village of Lyndonville, and the Passumpsic River. The graphic design element was created in collaboration with Lyndon Institute Graphic Design program students and Flek, Inc. (pictures below!)

Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country was awarded $3,000 to support the NEK community and implement a learn to bike program for people with disabilities. You can hear more about the success of this program in an NBC5 interview with Executive Director Kelly Starr! (pictures below!)

East Burke School was awarded $2,000 to contribute to a Food Forest, providing an educational space, serving as a demonstration center for regenerative agriculture. (pictures below!)  

H.O.P.E. was awarded $2,000 for the Backpack Program, a charitable food service providing food to children and their families who are facing food insecurity from 8 area schools. HOPE reported that they averaged roughly 45 bags per week going to 8 different area schools from September 2021 to June 2022! The Backpack Program continues to be HOPE’s most supported and recognized charitable program. One faculty member at Lyndon Town School reflected “One dad let me know that the Backpack Program has been incredibly helpful for him. He was

so appreciative when we were able to assist with making sure his boys have snacks during the day at school. I do a bit of planning to make sure they have items that they’re able to prepare, and it seems to be working well for them.” 

KT Mini Grants are funded through donations and memberships, KT is investing in our local community. Make your gift at kingdomtrails.org/donate today to support and sustain programs like these.Together we can make a difference!