The Orton Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $130,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (varies by region)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S. small cities and towns under 30,000 population)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.orton.org and https://www.communityheartandsoul.org

Email: info@communityheartandsoul.org

Phone: (802) 495-0864

Address: 120 Graham Way Ste 126, Shelburne, VT 05482-7217

Pre-Application Support: Staff available for consultation calls; webinars and office hours offered for prospective applicants

Overview

Founded in 1995 by Lyman Orton, proprietor of the Vermont Country Store, the Orton Family Foundation is a private operating foundation that has invested more than $10 million in developing and field-testing the Community Heart & Soul model. With assets of $17.6 million (as of 2016) and annual giving of approximately $130,000 (2023), the foundation helps small cities and towns discover and describe their unique attributes and build on them in planning toward a vibrant, enduring future. The foundation's signature Community Heart & Soul program has been implemented in over 125 U.S. communities since 2005, focusing on towns and small cities with populations under 30,000. The model has been nationally recognized by the American Planning Association as a successful approach to community planning and development. Recent strategic expansion includes partnerships with regional foundations to scale the model, with new Heart & Soul communities added in 2023-2024 across Virginia, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Maine, and Pennsylvania.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Seed Grants: $10,000 (rolling basis) Provides startup funding for resident-driven groups to establish Community Heart & Soul in their community. Requires 1:1 cash match ($10,000 total project budget). Applications accepted on rolling monthly basis until funds depleted. Finalists participate in virtual interview with staff. Supports initial community organizing, network analysis, and beginning of resident engagement process.

Full Implementation Grants: $100,000 (over 2 years) Comprehensive support for communities to carry out the complete Community Heart & Soul model. Approximately 60% of funding goes to compensating a full-time coordinator to handle program demands. Covers extensive resident engagement, values identification, planning integration, and community action projects. Historically provided directly by foundation; now more commonly financed through regional partnership arrangements.

Regional Partnership Grants: $30,000-$100,000 (fixed deadlines) Delivered through partnerships with regional foundations including Innovia Foundation ($30,000 grants), Legacy Foundation (up to $80,000), Rochester Area Community Foundation (grants totaling $350,000 for multiple communities), and Montana Community Foundation. Each regional program has specific application requirements and deadlines.

Priority Areas

• Resident-driven community planning and engagement in small cities and towns (populations 2,500-30,000, occasionally up to 50,000)
• Values-based planning processes that identify "what matters most" to residents
• Community projects that reflect shared community values identified through the Heart & Soul process
• Inclusive engagement that actively reaches underrepresented and "hidden" voices in communities
• Long-term sustainable community development that "plays the long game"
• Integration of arts, artists, and culture into community planning
• Building trust between residents and local government
• Community leadership development and civic participation
• Small town revitalization in New England and Rocky Mountain West (historically), now expanding nationwide

What They Don't Fund

The foundation focuses exclusively on its Community Heart & Soul model. While explicit exclusions are not published, funding is limited to:

• Communities willing to adopt the complete Community Heart & Soul methodology
• Small cities and towns (large cities and metropolitan areas not eligible)
• U.S. communities only
• Projects requiring resident-led governance structure with at least 5 committed resident leaders

Governance and Leadership

Lyman Orton - Founder and Board Chair Proprietor of the Vermont Country Store. Founded the foundation in 1995 with profits from the family business to pursue his passion for community building and preservation of small-town character. Lyman Orton uses the family foundation for one cause: spreading the "heart-and-soul method" of better community building.

David Leckey - Executive Director Joined the foundation as Executive Director with annual compensation of $201,000. Previously worked extensively in small-town and rural development.

"Being from a small town myself, loving it, and spending a lot of years working in small-town and rural development, [the Orton Family Foundation] seemed like a good fit. I understand—because I was on the ground with residents—the profound impact that citizen engagement, participation and hope has on the spirit and future of rural small towns." - Christian Science Monitor, January 2019

"I believe in the synergistic power generated by the integration of local businesses, citizens, organizations and government to create thriving communities."

"We are looking for ways to reconnect that, [and] I just love connecting people. I love it when they mutually discover why they are so passionate about where they live."

Staff: The foundation employs 12 staff members including executive leadership, program coaches, and support staff. Coaches work directly with communities throughout the Heart & Soul process.

Trustees: Board provides governance and strategic direction, bringing diverse perspectives to Community Heart & Soul work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For National Seed Grant Program (Rolling Basis):

1. Watch introductory webinar: "An Introduction to Community Heart & Soul" (available online)
2. View program overview: Seed Grant Program specifics webinar
3. Attend Getting Started series: Three-session webinar series (mandatory for many regional programs, recommended for national program)
4. Complete online application: Submit through Community Heart & Soul website
5. Finalist process: Complete brief exercise from "Getting Started with Community Heart & Soul" workbook and participate in virtual interview with staff

For Regional Programs: Check with specific partner foundations (Innovia, Legacy, Montana Community Foundation, Rochester Area Community Foundation, PA Humanities) for their application portals, deadlines, and requirements.

Application Requirements:

• Led by at least 5 residents who directly reside in the community
• Applicant can be local government, 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, or informal resident-led group with fiscal sponsor
• Commitment to 1:1 cash match ($10,000 for Seed Grants)
• Population typically 2,500-30,000 (exceptions considered case-by-case)
• Must demonstrate ability to initiate Community Heart & Soul within 6 months of approval

Application Review Criteria:

• Demonstration of appropriate timing and relevance for applicant community
• Strong leadership by dedicated team of residents with clear plan for engagement
• Evidence of strong commitments from lead organization, governing body, and fiscal sponsor
• Community readiness across four elements: community interest, community leadership, relationships and community culture, and resources
• Experience with public engagement, especially reaching underrepresented voices
• Partnerships among residents, municipal government, and local organizations

Decision Timeline

National Seed Grant Program: Applications reviewed on rolling monthly basis. Timeline from application to decision typically 6-8 weeks. Communities must be ready to begin within 6 months of grant approval.

Regional Programs: Specific deadlines and announcement schedules. For example:

• Montana Community Foundation: October 15 deadline, selection in early November
• Legacy Foundation: Multi-month selection process with program launch following January

Notification Method: Email notification followed by orientation call with staff to discuss next steps and program launch.

Success Rates

Success rates are not published. Regional programs typically select 1-3 communities per cycle from competitive applicant pools. As of 2024, 125 communities have participated in Heart & Soul nationwide since 2005. In 2023, the foundation made 10 awards; in 2022, 9 awards; in 2021, 5 awards.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in available public materials. Applicants should contact staff at info@communityheartandsoul.org or call (802) 495-0864 to discuss reapplication options if not selected in initial round.

Application Success Factors

Strong Resident Leadership Team

The foundation emphasizes resident-driven processes above all else. Successful applications demonstrate a committed team of at least 5 residents who live in the community and will serve on the Community Advisory Team (CAT). David Leckey notes the importance of residents discovering "why they are so passionate about where they live."

Evidence of Community Readiness

Applications are evaluated on four readiness elements:

1. Community Interest: Demonstrated grassroots interest in the Heart & Soul process
2. Community Leadership: Committed individuals ready to lead the effort
3. Relationships and Community Culture: Existing connections and openness to inclusive engagement
4. Resources: Ability to secure match funding and dedicate human resources

Commitment to Inclusive Engagement

Successful communities show dedication to reaching "hidden and missing voices" - residents who aren't typically involved in civic processes. Examples include:

• Cortez, Colorado: Successfully engaged Ute Mountain Ute tribe, Hispanic community, and youth who had not previously participated in local government
• Golden, Colorado: Reached 2,000 residents (12% of population) through varied engagement methods including block parties, chili socials, and festivals

Strong Municipal and Organizational Partnerships

Applications should demonstrate that "the convening partner is well-respected and trusted in the community, and that other local community partners and organizations are dedicated to working together." The most successful applications show alignment between residents, local government, and nonprofits.

Understanding of the Model

The foundation looks for communities that understand Community Heart & Soul is guided by three principles: "involving everyone, focusing on what matters, and playing the long game." This is not a quick-fix approach but a 2+ year commitment to sustainable community change.

Documented Results from Funded Communities

A Wake Forest Medical School study of 125 CAT team members across nine Heart & Soul communities found:

• Enhanced trust in local government and stronger relationships among residents
• Heart & Soul values informing policy decisions in all four towns that fully implemented the model
• Three towns revised comprehensive plans to reflect Heart & Soul input
• New leaders developed, with CAT team members in three communities running for public office

Notable Community Wins:

• Golden, Colorado: Awards from International Association of Public Participation and Denver Regional Council of Governments
• Meadville, Pennsylvania: Updated zoning to prioritize historic preservation and walkability
• Pennsylvania communities: Award-winning public spaces, continued volunteer involvement, election of former volunteers to public office

Direct Advice from Staff

Take advantage of pre-application support: "Staff members would be happy to answer questions about the Seed Grant Program or the Community Heart & Soul process." Schedule consultation calls and attend webinars and office hours.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Model-specific funding: The Orton Family Foundation exclusively supports its Community Heart & Soul methodology. You cannot adapt another planning approach - you must adopt their specific four-phase model with fidelity.

• Resident leadership is non-negotiable: At least 5 resident leaders who actually live in your community must commit to leading the Community Advisory Team. Organizational or government leadership alone is insufficient.

• Match requirement: Secure your $10,000 cash match commitment early. While the full match doesn't need to be in hand at application, demonstrating concrete plans to secure it strengthens your application.

• Population sweet spot: Communities between 2,500-30,000 population are most competitive. If you're outside this range, contact staff before applying to discuss your specific situation.

• Invest in preparation: Attend all three Getting Started webinar sessions (mandatory for most regional programs). This preparation significantly strengthens applications and demonstrates serious commitment.

• Emphasize inclusive engagement experience: Provide specific examples of how your community has reached underrepresented voices in the past, or detail your concrete plan to do so through Heart & Soul.

• Consider regional partnerships: If a regional foundation in your area offers Community Heart & Soul grants, apply through them. These programs often provide larger grants ($30,000-$100,000), additional technical support, and cohort learning opportunities.

• Timeline matters: Be realistic about your capacity to begin within 6 months of award. The process requires sustained effort over 2+ years with a significant volunteer and staff time commitment.

References

1. Community Heart & Soul website - Seed Grant Program: https://www.communityheartandsoul.org/seed-grants/ (accessed November 2025)
2. Community Heart & Soul - About Us, Staff & Trustees: https://www.communityheartandsoul.org/about-us/staff-trustees/ (accessed November 2025)
3. Orton Family Foundation website: https://www.orton.org (accessed November 2025)
4. Center for High Impact Philanthropy, University of Pennsylvania - Orton Family Foundation profile: https://www.impact.upenn.edu/orton-family-foundation/ (accessed November 2025)
5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Orton Family Foundation (EIN 03-0346513): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/30346513 (accessed November 2025)
6. Christian Science Monitor, "One man's mission to revitalize small-town America" by Isabelle de Pommereau (January 6, 2019): https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2019/0106/One-man-s-mission-to-revitalize-small-town-America
7. Vermont Business Magazine, "Orton Family Foundation names new leader" (April 2013): https://vermontbiz.com/people/april/orton-family-foundation-names-new-leader
8. Cause IQ - The Orton Family Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-orton-family-foundation,030346513/ (accessed November 2025)
9. Rural Health Information Hub - Community Heart & Soul Planning, Technical Assistance, and Seed Grant Program: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/5337 (accessed November 2025)
10. Community Heart & Soul - Towns Transformed: https://www.communityheartandsoul.org/community-heart-soul-towns/ (accessed November 2025)
11. ICMA, "5 Takeaways from the Community Heart & Soul Field Guide": https://icma.org/blog-posts/5-takeaways-community-heart-soulr-field-guide (accessed November 2025)
12. Americans for the Arts - Orton Family Foundation Art & Community Planning: https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/legislation-policy/naappd/orton-family-foundation-art-community-planning (accessed November 2025)
13. Seven Days Vermont, "Family Foundations in Vermont Quietly Manage Vast Holdings": https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/family-foundations-in-vermont-quietly-manage-vast-holdings/Content?oid=14366209 (accessed November 2025)
14. Planetizen News, "Behind the Community-Building Mission of the Orton Family Foundation" (January 2019): https://www.planetizen.com/news/2019/01/102529-behind-community-building-mission-orton-family-foundation
15. PR Newswire, "New Grant Program To Revitalize U.S. Small Cities And Towns Community Heart & Soul Announces $10K Seed Grants" (February 2021): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-grant-program-to-revitalize-us-small-cities-and-towns-community-heart--soul-announces-10k-seed-grants-301226360.html