Community Support is Vital to Our Success
as a Leader in Sustainable Agriculture
With each farm we create and each pound of compost we spread, we are doing something about the food and farm crisis in America. To do this work the Intervale Center relies on financial contributions from individuals, foundations, businesses and other organizations. Donate now. There are four ways to provide financial assistance:
Operating Support
The Intervale Center operates several programs and enterprises that are supported in part by sales of products and services. But, to varying degrees, most programs rely on supplemental revenue from contributions and grants.
For example:
The Farms Program subsidizes 20% of the cost of land and equipment for incubator farms.
Healthy City youth farm staff plan and supervise twenty teenagers who are learning farming and marketing skills, work habits, daily exercise and other activities that build life skills and supplement their daily routines. Additionally, the crew works with community and school volunteers to glean otherwise discarded vegetables in good condition from farm fields and distribute them to food distribution agencies in Burlington.
The Intervale Conservation Nursery is building its inventory of native trees and shrubs and conducts public education around restoring riparian (stream bank) cover in order to protect soil and water quality.
Additionally, we steward the trails and lands of the Intervale, hold public events and activities in the restored Community Barn, and provide information about how the public can enjoy this wild and productive corner of Burlington.
Traditionally we seek support from our community through an annual campaign after the fall harvest. This is a very important aspect of our budget because it provides funds that can be used to match grant funds, and because it indicates our community's broad support for our mission and our work.
You can make a donation to the Intervale on-line or by sending it to The Intervale Center, 180 Intervale Rd., Burlington, VT 05401. If you’d like more information about specific operating needs, please contact Kit Perkins, Executive Director, or at 660 0440, ext. 103.
Capital Needs
Capital funding is needed to complete the Calkins Farmstead renovation and program infrastructure, and to continue to restore land in the Intervale for agricultural production.
The Calkins Farmstead forms the gateway between the community and the Intervale. It includes:
The Calkins Farmhouse, The Calkins Farmhouse - an Italianate style brick house that has been restored as the Intervale offices and includes one room devoted to what will be a Community Kitchen. Our restoration plans call for a small-scale professional food processing kitchen that will enable Intervale farmers to develop value-added food products. In addition, community cooking and canning courses could teach community members how to bring local produce back to our tables as we bring families together with healthy food. Estimated budget: $40,000.
The Community Barn, a renovated three season 1860’s majestic old barn to house community events, educational programs, conferences, workshops, and private functions.
The Dairy Barn is in precarious condition. An initial grant was used to partially stabilize the structure, but it is still seriously tilting and at risk of collapse. Estimated budget: $250,000.
The English Barn, a pristine example of a farm architectural style of 200 years ago that will be re-adapted as a four season structure.
The Corn Crib, has been restored as a storage building.
Our Farms Program is in need of greater space for a farmer barn and wash station. Estimated budget to be determined.
In addition, the Intervale Center has secured funds to construct public restrooms and an informational kiosk at the farmstead.
We are moving forward with construction as fast as our resources allow. Your generosity will help us protect and revitalize this historic farmstead. To make a capital donation, you can make a donation on-line or by calling Kit at 660 0440, ext 103.
Planned Giving
A former Intervale Center board member established a charitable remainder trust (CRT) in the 1990’s and designated the Intervale Center as the beneficiary. A CRT is a type of planned gift that can be structured as a win-win for the donor and a non-profit organization. In addition to receiving a tax deduction, the donor receives an annual income payment for life, with the remainder of the gift going to the organization at the end of the donor’s life.
The Intervale Center has also partnered with the Vermont Community Foundation in establishing an endowment fund managed by the VCF. Through our partnership with the VCF, the Intervale Center can now offer CRTs and charitable gift annuities (CGAs) to our community of supporters. CGAs are similar to CRTs but simpler and typically for smaller amounts.
Another approach to planned giving is to include a bequest to the Intervale Center in your will or estate plan. To make a lasting contribution to maintaining this special place and to the future viability of agriculture and local food production, please consider making a bequest or planned gift.
Creative Giving
We would be pleased to accept a donation in acknowledgement of an anniversary or important occasion on behalf of your friend or family. We will send an acknowledgement of your gift.