Back in 2014, three friends who had worked in the local government and nonprofit sectors and seen the deficits in those systems, got together to create a small fund to make sure that money wouldn’t be a barrier for individuals who wanted to do something nice for their neighbors. We raised $800 to cover the costs of incorporating as a nonprofit and to give out in our first grant round and had no idea if we would last a year. A decade later, we’ve raised and given out over $100,000 and done so much more than we ever dreamed.

In the last ten years we’ve:

– fulfilled over 400 grant and project requests,
– been a fiscal agent for $31,000 so that small groups could access money from larger funders
– built and installed a network of little free pantries in Burlington,
– partnered with local groups to fund and project manage making a home wheelchair accessible,
– raised and paid out $35,000 in utility bills and rent between March and May 2020 for Burlington residents who lost their jobs due to the pandemic,
– partnered with local healthcare outreach workers to develop and fund outdoor wound care kits to bring to neighbors living outside,
– paid for dumpsters and organized volunteers for 16 neighborhood cleanups,
– funded food distribution efforts by 6 grassroots groups
– organized 10 community gatherings that brought neighbors together for meals and conversations,
– and so much more!

The majority of the donations we receive are less than $100 and the ONE Good Deed Fund is proof that volunteers and grassroots donations can do an amazing amount of work in one community. It has been an incredible privilege to be part of this work. In times when the world has felt so dark, seeing so many people willing to share their hearts and resources with neighbors has been a gift. Thank you to every single one of you who has been part of this!