Authentic and collaborative relationship building drives the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s approach to accelerate sustainable economic development.
Partners
Our partners include policy-makers; government agencies; private sector businesses; nonprofit advocacy, program and technical assistance organizations; trade associations; research and educational institutions; funders, lenders and investors; and grassroots volunteers. We collaborate with our partners in order to advance agriculture and food system, forest product, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental sector development. By partnering with us, we can work together on high leverage activities that will improve the well-being of Vermonters, our communities, and the environment.
A few examples of Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund partnerships:
- The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund coordinates the Farm to Plate Network—350 organizations working collectively to implement the Farm to Plate food system plan as well as to advance their own organizational goals. The Farm to Plate Network encompasses farms, food related businesses, specialty food producers, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, capital providers and government.
- Our collaboration with the Vermont Council on Rural Development has led to both organizations working on Vermont Climate Economy Initiative activities best suited to our skills and capacity to develop the sectors which are connected to the climate economy. Our shared goal is to boost economic development, create jobs, and attract youth and creative entrepreneurs to the state.
- The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s collaboration with the Northern Forest Center and the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board led to the creation of the Vermont Forest Products Program to assist the forest products industry in creating and retaining quality jobs and opening additional markets for locally produced wood products.
- Business assistance partnerships are core to the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s ability to deliver on advancing entrepreneurial success and job growth in the sectors we serve. Our business assistance coaches, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s Farm and Forest Viability Program, the Vermont Small Business Development Center, UVM Extension, the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, regional development corporations, and others help support our Vermont business assistance services.
- In 1995, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) led the effort for legislation that created the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Sustainable economic development remains central to both of our missions, and education, public policy, and networking collaboration are frequent between the two organizations.
- Network development is a core service and approach at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Additionally, staff at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund are engaged in many networks connected to the industry sectors we serve including the Vermont Farm to School Network, Food Solutions New England, Vermont Energy Action Network, and the Vermont Clean Water Network.
Become a Funder
Are you interested in funding one of our programs or services? We are seeking funders to achieve our sustainable economic goals as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
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Become a Client
Are you interested in becoming a client to grow your business, industry sector, or replicate one of our approaches? We offer a suite of services for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
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Become a Partner
Are you interested in partnering with us to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont? We invite collaboration from diverse stakeholders in all areas of our work.
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