This commentary is by Emma Paradis and Lisa Grefe, who are co-directors of Common Good Vermont, the state association of nonprofits, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont.
Across Vermont, nonprofits are the backbone of our communities — filling gaps, meeting critical needs and enhancing our quality of life.
From disaster recovery and food access to youth programs, workforce development, arts and culture, and health care, nonprofits are people helping people — making sure no one falls through the cracks and that our rights are protected.
This work reflects the Vermont way: We are a state where neighbors step up for one another. Our nonprofit sector embodies that spirit at scale — transforming care into organized, sustained impact.
We see this most clearly in moments of crisis and change. When devastating floods swept through our communities, Vermont nonprofits mobilized volunteers, distributed supplies and supported families as they rebuilt. When downtowns needed revitalization, local development corporations and community action agencies brought expertise, coordination and long-term commitment.
When young Vermonters needed pathways to success, youth-serving organizations created programs that opened doors and changed lives. These efforts are not abstract — they are lifelines, delivered by people deeply rooted in the communities they serve.
As the National Council of Nonprofits has underscored through its Nonprofits Get It Done campaign, nonprofits are often among the first to respond and the last to leave.
That truth plays out every day in Vermont, from emergency shelter on the coldest nights to food shelves keeping families fed, health centers serving rural communities and arts organizations enriching our shared civic life. This work reflects the best of Vermont: collaboration, care for one another, and a belief that strong communities are built through collective effort.
Yet even as we celebrate this vital work, we recognize that these are challenging times for the nonprofit sector nationwide.
We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Minneapolis, Chicago, Maine and other communities navigating social and political upheaval while continuing to serve their communities with dedication. Their steadfast work in uncertain times reminds us that the nonprofit sector’s commitment to serving people transcends any single moment or challenge.
The National Council of Nonprofits reminds us: “Nonprofits bring help and hope when both are needed most. Whether it’s providing a safe place for victims of abuse or compassionate care in times of crisis, nonprofits get it done in American communities.”
Nonprofits cannot do this work alone. We encourage Vermonters to stand with the sector and the communities it serves by volunteering, contributing what they can, and making clear to policymakers that charitable nonprofits are essential infrastructure for our state’s well-being. When we invest in nonprofits, we invest in our capacity to care for one another.
As we step into our new roles as co-directors of Common Good Vermont, we are energized by the opportunity to continue strengthening the nonprofit sector and the professionals who power it.
For years, Common Good Vermont has served as a voice and champion for Vermont’s nonprofits, and we are committed to building on that work — connecting organizations, supporting leaders, and ensuring nonprofits have what they need to achieve their missions in communities across the state.
In Vermont, nonprofits get it done. And together, we’ll continue to make a difference for our democracy and the people of our state.
