Burlington foundation announces $9.5 million in donations

Kate O'Farrell, Burlington Free Press
·2 min read

The Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation announced a total of $9.5 million in donations to seven Vermont charities on Monday, June 20.

The foundation was founded in 1997 by Victoria Buffum to "support kids and families at risk; women and single mothers; persons with brain injuries; children with disabilities; and the arts" according to the Foundation's press release.

The gifts totaling $9.5 million were made to Vermont organizations which focus on bettering the lives of women and children in need, as well as healthcare organizations and charities in the area. Four of the seven organizations are based in Burlington.

The Burlington Boys and Girls Club cheer on the runners during the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay.
The Burlington Boys and Girls Club cheer on the runners during the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay.

The Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation makes annual donations to local organizations in support of their mission statement, according to the Foundation's attorney Craig Matanle. However, this year, the Foundation saw a need for significant action in the area.

"I think there's just a sense that there's kind of a growing need in the community, in a number of different areas." Matanle said. "I think, you know, a little bit related to the pandemic. And also just the sense that these organizations could really use this money right now."

The Seven Recipients

The donations announced on Monday include two gifts and five endowments to various Vermont organizations. The recipients include:

  • A gift of $1.5 million to the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington.

  • A gift of $1 million to the Champlain College Single Mothers Scholarship program.

  • A $2 million endowment to the Brain Injury Association of Vermont.

  • A $2 million endowment to Mercy Connections.

  • An $1 million endowment to the UVM Cancer Center.

  • An $1 million endowment to the Vermont Women's Fund.

  • An $1 million endowment to the Community College of Vermont .

The $9.5 million in donations have yet to be finalized with the seven organizations and Matanle anticipates that the donations will be finalized within the summer.

Victoria Buffum passed away in 2002 and the current president of the foundation is Victoria's brother Thomas J. Gauntlett, who works with five board members within the foundation.

For further questions about the Foundation and recent donations, contact the Foundation's attorney Craig Matanle at (802)863-3494.

Kate O'Farrell is a reporter for the Burlington Free Press. You can contact her at KOFarrell@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Local family foundation announces multi-million dollar donations