The foundation concentrates on helping congregations and faith-based organizations in Vermont (and nearby New England) reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building operations by funding energy audits, insulation, heat-pump installations, and occasional solar projects. Grants are typically directed to individual churches of various denominations and to regional interfaith climate groups, often requiring or leveraging matching funds and technical upgrades rather than general operating support.
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light Inc. centers its grantmaking on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from houses of worship, especially through building retrofits for congregations in Vermont. A repeated pattern in the recent grants is support for church heating transitions and envelope improvements, often tied to matching requirements and technical upgrades. Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro appears multiple times across 2023, 2024, and 2025 with Katy Gerke Memorial Fund grants, showing a sustained, project-based relationship rather than one-off support. The foundation also reaches beyond one denomination: recent recipients include Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic, Congregational, and Jewish faith communities, along with a regional interfaith climate group in New Hampshire. Grants are used for cold-weather heat pumps, insulation, energy audits, windows, and rooftop solar, all framed around lowering operating emissions from religious buildings. That mix suggests a funder focused on practical facility changes rather than broad operating aid, with faith institutions as the main vehicles for climate action.
A core thread in the portfolio is cold-climate heating replacement. The foundation gave $18,016 to Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro to replace an oil heat system with a new cold weather heat pump system, and it also funded heat pump projects for Ascension Lutheran Church of South Burlington, Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, and Richmond Congregational Church. Another emphasis is building-envelope work for older worship spaces. Peacham Congregational Church received $12,174 to cover half the cost of insulating its church building, while United Church of East Dorset got support for windows and an energy audit. The portfolio also includes rooftop solar and broader carbon-reduction projects, such as Shir Shalom - Woodstock Area Jewish for heat pumps and solar generation.
Typical grants cluster in a relatively narrow range: p25 is $8,819, median is $10,950, and p75 is $24,131. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, Zion Episcopal Church, and Ascension Lutheran Church, which points to recurring support for phased capital projects rather than isolated awards. The Katy Gerke Memorial Fund is a named source for many of these grants, and those awards are restricted to efforts that reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. Matching contributions are also built into some grants. The foundation does not make grants to individuals.
$89K
$973K
$72K
$72K
Most grants fall between $9K and $24K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$24K
About 90% of grants go to recipients in VT.
Ronald McGarvey
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Primarily moderate-size capital grants to individual congregations (many between $5k–$100k) with repeat funding for the same churches; concentrated geographically in Vermont with occasional support to neighboring state IPL affiliates. Grants emphasize project-specific capital improvements (heat pumps, audits, insulation) and often use matching requirements to leverage local contributions.
Notable grantees: Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, Zion Episcopal Church, Ascension Lutheran Church, New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light, Shir Shalom – Woodstock Area Jewish Congregation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Vermont-based: 90% of grants go to recipients in VT, and the top state by grant count is VT. In the recent list, Brattleboro, South Burlington, Burlington, Manchester Center, Peacham, Woodstock, Dorset, and Richmond all appear as recipient locations. The only non-Vermont recipient in the recent grants list is New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light in Wolfboro, NH, which shows the foundation also supports a nearby regional affiliate.
Its grants focus on emissions-reduction work in religious buildings: heat pumps, insulation, windows, weatherization, energy audits, rooftop solar, and related building retrofits for congregations and faith-based organizations.
Yes. Saint Michael's Episcopal Church appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Zion Episcopal Church and Ascension Lutheran Church also each appear in multiple grant years, suggesting ongoing support for phased capital projects.
The middle range is fairly compact: p25 is $8,819, median is $10,950, and p75 is $24,131. Recent awards include both smaller project grants and larger matching grants tied to major building upgrades.
Most grants go to Vermont recipients. The data shows VT as the top state by grant count, and 90% of grants are made to recipients in the HQ state of Vermont.
No. Recent recipients include Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic, Congregational, and Jewish faith communities, along with New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light as a regional interfaith climate organization.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Michael's Episcopal Church | Brattleboro, VT | $26,169 | 2025 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing. |
| ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SOUTH | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT | $10,150 | 2025 | HEAT PUMPS |
| SAINT JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | HEAT PUMPS |
| COLLEGE ST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | BURLINGTON, VT | $9,000 | 2025 | HEAT PUMPS |
| Zion Episcopal Church | Manchester Center, VT | $8,819 | 2025 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system. |
| Ascension Lutheran Church | South Burlington, VT | $7,092 | 2025 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building. |
| SHIR SHALOM - WOODSTOCK AREA JEWISH | WOODSTOCK, VT | $6,500 | 2025 | HEAT PUMPS/SOLAR GEN |
| UNITED CHURCH OF EAST DORSET | DORSET, VT | $6,041 | 2025 | WINDOWS/ENERGY AUDIT |
| RICHMOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | RICHMOND, VT | $5,250 | 2025 | HEAT PUMPS |
| New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light | Wolfboro, NH | $27,981 | 2024 | This grant conveys funds to New Hampshire Interfaith Power & Light (NHIPL), a New Hampshire based organization with a mission similar the mission of VTIPL. The funds are provided to enable NHIPL provide grant assistance to New Hampshire churches. [DISCUSS THIS SUMMARY WITH RON MCGARVEY] |
| Saint Michael's Episcopal Church | Brattleboro, VT | $26,169 | 2024 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing. |
| Saint Michael's Episcopal Church | Brattleboro, VT | $18,016 | 2024 | The grant paid part of the cost for the church of replacing the existing oil heat system with a new cold weather heat pump system. The purpose of the grant was to help the church reduce the CO2 emissions produced by heating system of this church. |
| Peacham Congregational Church | Peacham, VT | $12,174 | 2024 | The grant is provided to pay for half the cost of insulating the church building. The purpose of this grant is help the congregation reduce the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the operation of this church's winter heating and any summer cooling systems. |
| Saint John Vianney Catholic Church | South Burlington, VT | $9,725 | 2024 | This grant helped this church pay to install cold weather heat pumps to replace the use of the existing fossil fuel heating system. The purpose of this grant is help this church reduce the carbon dioxide emissions produced by heating the church building. |
| Zion Episcopal Church | Manchester Center, VT | $8,819 | 2024 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system. |
| Ascension Lutheran Church | South Burlington, VT | $7,092 | 2024 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building. |
| Saint Michael's Episcopal Church | Brattleboro, VT | $26,169 | 2023 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing. |
| Zion Episcopal Church | Manchester Center, VT | $8,819 | 2023 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system. |
| Ascension Lutheran Church | South Burlington, VT | $7,092 | 2023 | This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building. |
Saint Michael's Episcopal Church
$26,169This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing.
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SOUTH
$10,150HEAT PUMPS
SAINT JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH
$10,000HEAT PUMPS
COLLEGE ST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$9,000HEAT PUMPS
Zion Episcopal Church
$8,819This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system.
Ascension Lutheran Church
$7,092This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building.
SHIR SHALOM - WOODSTOCK AREA JEWISH
$6,500HEAT PUMPS/SOLAR GEN
UNITED CHURCH OF EAST DORSET
$6,041WINDOWS/ENERGY AUDIT
RICHMOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$5,250HEAT PUMPS
New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light
$27,981This grant conveys funds to New Hampshire Interfaith Power & Light (NHIPL), a New Hampshire based organization with a mission similar the mission of VTIPL. The funds are provided to enable NHIPL provide grant assistance to New Hampshire churches. [DISCUSS THIS SUMMARY WITH RON MCGARVEY]
Saint Michael's Episcopal Church
$26,169This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing.
Saint Michael's Episcopal Church
$18,016The grant paid part of the cost for the church of replacing the existing oil heat system with a new cold weather heat pump system. The purpose of the grant was to help the church reduce the CO2 emissions produced by heating system of this church.
Peacham Congregational Church
$12,174The grant is provided to pay for half the cost of insulating the church building. The purpose of this grant is help the congregation reduce the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the operation of this church's winter heating and any summer cooling systems.
Saint John Vianney Catholic Church
$9,725This grant helped this church pay to install cold weather heat pumps to replace the use of the existing fossil fuel heating system. The purpose of this grant is help this church reduce the carbon dioxide emissions produced by heating the church building.
Zion Episcopal Church
$8,819This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system.
Ascension Lutheran Church
$7,092This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building.
Saint Michael's Episcopal Church
$26,169This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to St. Michael's Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and building sealing.
Zion Episcopal Church
$8,819This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Zion Episcopal Church to conduct an energy audit of church buildings and later to carry out building weatherization that included insulation improvements and upgrading the heating system.
Ascension Lutheran Church
$7,092This is a grant made with funds from the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions in church buildings. This grant required a matching contribution from the grantee. The funds were provided to Ascension Lutheran Church to conduct an increase the ceiling insulation in the main part of the church building.