Col#282-5/7/26
HEAT FUND UPDATE
By
Richard Davis
The 21st year of the Windham County Heat Fund has been the most unusual year of the organization’s existence. When the heating season began in the fall of 2025 we were forced to consider a world without federal fuel assistance. It looked like the Trump administration was going to eliminate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program and we were scrambling to figure out how to raise more money to make up our local share of a potential $21 million dollar loss to Vermont.
We held a concert fundraiser in September and set up a Go Fund Me page. The page and the concert brought in $8915. After a few months of more intensive fundraising the federal government sent the LIHEAP money. But we still believe that Trump wants to eliminate the program and he may do so when the allocation is up for consideration.
The economy continues to be extremely difficult for the lowest income Americans, and the Iran war only made things worse. Home heating fuel is hovering around six dollars a gallon along with the highest prices for gasoline we have ever seen. Even if the war ends soon, most experts believe those prices will take a long time to come down.
In a typical year the heat fund raises between $40,000-$50,000. This year we raised $111,261. Usually about 100 people/families receive assistance from us. This year that number climbed 55% to 155. We paid $79,765 for all types of fuel including oil, propane, kerosene, electricity, wood and pellets.
One hundred individuals usually provide donations but this year the number climbed to 181. They donated a total of $44,887. Corporate donations were $5250. Local churches donated $2169 and grants totaled $54,957, an unprecedented amount.
Total expenses for the season were $81,682. In addition to fuel, we had a few unanticipated expenses for phone and computer items. We also decided that after 21 years without a web site it was time to step into the 21st century. The site will be ready to go for the 2026-27 heating season and the hope is that it will not only make it easier for people to apply for funding, but it will also help us to raise more money. We do not plan to do any mail solicitation for donations and will continue to rely on our reputation and occasional stories in the local media for publicity.
If fuel prices stay as high as they are when the need for heat begins we will have to make some difficult decisions. We have normally provided applicants with 125 to 150 gallons of fuel. We will have to pare that down even though we will begin the season with a surplus. Most people will only receive 100 gallons of fuel and we will, most likely, have to limit allocations to once a year.
Once again we must thank the local community for its continuing generosity and for rising to the occasion and helping us get through a nerve-racking year. Special thanks to the Thomas Thompson Trust for their matching grant of $20,000 which we were able to benefit from. Also, a major thank you to Dave Snyder and Sara Coffey for their generous continuing support of the Heat Fund. The Willard Trust, the American Legion, Brattleboro Elks, Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary and the Baker Family Trust have also provided solid, reliable support to the fund for many years.
We do not know how severe the financial pain will be for the most vulnerable people in our community, but it is clear that they are already worrying about where they will find the money to buy six dollar a gallon oil. When our web site launches we will send out notices. In the meantime, donations are always welcome. Checks can be made out to The Windham County Heat Fund and sent to 63 Cedar St, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Donations can be made directly at Brattleboro Savings and Loan.
