Landon Awards

Vermont – S. Whitney Landon Awards

The S. Whitney Landon Awards are presented each year, in Vermont, for programs which have achieved breakthrough results in the delivery of services to the youngest and their families, using innovative and creative strategies.

These agencies generally have been active with the early childhood system in their community and advocate at the local, regional, state and/or national level for the well-being of our youngest children and their families.

Year 2023 was the twenty-eighth year of the Awards!

In past years, the top award winner received $25,000 and two runners-up received $2,500 each.

In more recent years, the Fund has adjusted the awards to meet the needs of VT organizations especially during the pandemic.

Recent award recipients are listed below, by year.

The ARTS Bus

2023

The 2023 S. Whitney Landon Awards gave approximately $30,000 in unrestricted grants to six organizations across Vermont doing exemplary work on behalf of young children and families in Vermont.

  • Magic Mountain Children’s Center, South Royalton, VT
  • North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, VT
  • Northeast Kingdom Community Action, St. Johnsbury, VT
  • Reggio Inspired Vermont Early Education Team, Shelburne, VT
  • The Janet S. Munt Family Room, Burlington, VT
  • West Bee Nursery School, Brattleboro, VT

“This year’s Landon Awards process brought in a high volume of impressive applications, each showcasing a deep dedication to improving the lives of children and families in Vermont,” said Evan Delgado, President of Programs and Planning at Turrell Fund.  “It is inspiring to see how local leaders and organizations are responding to community needs in these challenging times and are employing best practices and innovative approaches to do so.”

2022

The 2022 S. Whitney Landon Awards remained virtual this year. The awards were given to agencies directly serving children from birth to 6 years-old and their families, with priority consideration given to programs serving the youngest and highest risk children. A total of $33,000 in unrestricted grants were awarded.

2022 S. Whitney Landon Award Recipients:

  • Alexandria Whitcomb Childcare, Barre, VT
  • Early Education Resource Center, Waterbury, VT
  • Old School, South Burlington VT
  • Orleans Central Early Childhood Program, Barton, VT
  • Rural ARTS Collaborative, Greensboro, VT
  • The ARTS Bus, Randolph, VT
  • Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development, Brattleboro, VT

2021

The 2021 S. Whitney Landon Awards were focused on topics that are being addressed in Turrell Fund’s Early Learning & Development Exchange initiative: Climate Change; More Than Hope (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion); and the Scope of Early Learning & Development. A total of $30,000 in unrestricted grants were awarded.

2021 S. Whitney Landon Award Recipients:

  • Addison County Parent Child Center, Middlebury, VT
  • Northshire Day School, Manchester, VT
  • The Children’s Room, Waterbury, VT
  • Mary Johnson’s Children’s Center, Middlebury, VT
  • Burlington Children’s Space, Burlington, VT
  • Vermont Humanities Council, Montpelier, VT
  • Early Care and Learning Partnership, Vergennes, VT
  • Turtle Island Children’s Center, Montpelier, VT
  • Natural Wonders Childcare, Northfield, VT
  • Ascension Child Care, Shelburne, VT
  • Thickets, Montpelier, VT
  • Nature’s Ninxs Pre-K, Adamant, VT
  • Essex Westford School District, Essex Junction, VT

2020

In light of the challenges caused by the pandemic, the Turrell Fund Trustees have decided to distribute the 2020 Landon Grant funds to benefit ten organizations instead of awarding our traditional winner and two runners up.

The following organizations had the highest scoring applications and each will receive a $3,000 award.

  • Addison County Parent Child Center
  • Capstone Community Action
  • Early Education Resource Center of Waterbury
  • The Family Place
  • Good Beginnings of Central Vermont
  • Northeast Kingdom Early Learning Services
  • Stern Center for Language and Learning
  • Sunrise Family Resource Center
  • Vermont Family Network
  • Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development

2019

King Street Youth Center

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
kingstreetcenter.org

Friends Of North Branch Nature Center, Inc.

Montpelier, VT (Washington County)
northbranchnaturecenter.org

Vermont Center for the Book

Chester,Windsor County)
mothergooseprograms.org

2018

Lamoille Family Center

Morrisville, VT (Lamoille County)
lamoillefamilycenter.org

Howard Center, Inc.

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
howardcenter.org

Trinity Children’s Center

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
trinitychildrenscenter.org

2017

Janet S. Munt Family Room

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
familyroomfamily.org

Orange County Parent Child Center

Chelsea, VT (Orange County)
orangecountypcc.org

Robin’s Nest Children’s Center

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
robinsnestchildrenscenter.org

2016

Vermont Family Network

Williston, VT (Chittenden County)
vermontfamilynetwork.org

The Community Health Center of Burlington

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
chcb.org

Trinity Children’s Center

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
trinitychildrenscenter.org

2015

Mary Johnson Children’s Center

Middlebury, VT (Addison County)
mjccvt.org

VSA Vermont, Inc.

Essex Junction, VT (Chittenden County)
vsavt.org

YMCA – Greater Burlington

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
gbymca.org

2014

Sunrise Family Resource Center

Bennington, VT (Bennington County)
sunrisefamilyresourcecenter.com

Vermont Family Network

Williston, VT (Chittenden County)
vermontfamilynetwork.org

Windham Child Care Association, Inc.

Brattleboro, VT (Windham County)
windhamchildcare.org

2013

Burlington Children’s Space, Inc.

Burlington, VT (Chittenden County)
burlingtonchildrensspace.org

Rutland County Parent-Child Center

Rutland, VT (Rutland County)
rcpcc.org

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