The Vermont Community Foundation announced that its Special and Urgent Needs – Irene Recovery Fund has awarded a total of $185,000 to 40 Vermont nonprofit organizations impacted by Tropical Storm Irene since its creation in early September. As of November 30, total contributions received or pledged to the fund exceeded $369,000.Grants awarded to date have been available to nonprofits, schools, and municipal entities that sustained damage from Irene or face significant resource challenges in providing services for those affected by Irene. The fund will continue to make grants to these organizations and has announced that it will expand its grantmaking to include community relief funds and programs that provide financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by Irene.‘Thanks to the generous outpouring of support for the fund, we are able to grant more money to help those programs most in need, including local relief funds and programs that support individuals and families,’ said Stuart Comstock-Gay, president & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. ‘We’re aware that many affected organizations are still lining up sources of funding and we continue to encourage them to apply.’In order to receive a grant, community relief funds and programs must be administered by a town, church, or registered 501c3 organization, or have one of those entities serving as a fiscal sponsor.The Community Foundation continues to accept applications from nonprofits, schools, municipal entities, and relief programs and funds. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and grant decisions awarding up to $5,000 are made within 14 business days of application submissions. The Special and Urgent Needs-Irene Recovery Fund does not provide grants directly to individuals or businesses.Visit www.vtfloodresponse.org(link is external) to apply for a grant, to make a contribution, or to read stories about grant recipients. The website was established by the Community Foundation to provide detailed, updated information about the Foundation’s Irene recovery efforts, including grants available and grants awarded. It also has a comprehensive list of flood resources and other useful information about Irene recovery work being done by other organizations.The Vermont Community Foundation has been helping donors give to the causes and organizations they care about since 1986. It is Vermont’s largest homegrown grantmaker. Together, its family of over 600 funds provides more than $10 million in grants per year. In addition, it helps keep Vermont’s nonprofit community vital by offering endowment management and planned giving services, and providing leadership in charitable giving of all kinds. Visit www.vermontcf.org(link is external) or call 802-388-3355 for more information.