A group of South Hero volunteers have formed the non-profit South Hero Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization. The mission of this organization is to foster the cultural, historical and recreational environment of the Town of South Hero. The first Foundation goal is to raise private funds to renovate and revitalize South Hero’s Meeting House, the oldest municipally owned building in Grand Isle County.
“We formed this new non-profit,” said Foundation President Michael Carroll, “to make it easier for people to get tax deductions for their donations and to pursue private grant funding for the Meeting House. Looking forward, we feel there may be a need for a non-profit organization to augment Town funding for recreation and other activities in Town.”
Funds raised by the Foundation will first be used to match a $100,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant awarded by Preservation Trust, Vermont in partnership with the National Park Service. This grant will provide funding for a new foundation and to stabilize the east wall of the building in preparation for future renovations that will extend the building’s year-round use. Additional funding will be needed to fully revitalize the Meeting House, including an addition to provide accessibility, water and septic.
The renovation and revitalization of the Meeting House is a Town project. The Foundation will facilitate the work of the Meeting House committee as they work to bring this iconic building back to life in all seasons. The creation of the Foundation will provide donors with full deductibility of their donations as opposed to gifts to the Town.
If you wish to donate to the renovation of the South Hero Meeting House, which is also home to Granny’s Attic, please send a check payable to: South Hero Foundation, Inc., PO Box 441, South Hero, VT 05486-0441. Or, you may make an online donation here.
Anyone interested in knowing more about this organization may contact Michael Carroll, South Hero Foundation President, at 802-233-2030 or by email at jpmCarroll@gmail.com.