Vermont Community Action Partnership requests $1.65M base funding to expand microbusiness and financial coaching services

Liz Scharf, director of community economic development and food security at Capstone Community Action, told the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs committee that the Vermont Community Action Partnership is seeking $1,650,000 in base funding for fiscal year 2026 to support three financial capability programs: microbusiness development, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and financial coaching.

Why it matters: Scharf said the programs provide sustained, local one‑on‑one support for very small businesses — often sole proprietors or firms with fewer than five employees — and argued that modest recurring state funding would expand staff capacity, reduce wait lists and extend services to more low‑ and moderate‑income Vermonters.

What the partnership asked for

- The Vermont Community Action Partnership requested $1,650,000 in base funding for FY26 to support the three programs; specific increments presented were an $87,000…