Governors Institute of Vermont asks Education committee for 10% boost to state support

Governors Institutes of Vermont asked the Education committee on Tuesday for a 10% increase to its state allocation for fiscal 2027 to preserve student access and expand programming. Elizabeth Frascoya, executive director of Governors Institutes of Vermont, said the organization’s current state allocation is $384,874 and the group is requesting $423,361 for FY27.

Frascoya told the committee GIV is a 43‑year nonprofit that runs one‑ to two‑week summer institutes exclusively for Vermont students on state college campuses and serves about 700 students annually. “We ensure that students come no matter what their financial situation might be,” she said, adding that GIV raised more than $1,000,000 in financial aid last year and leverages state funding about five to one.

Two recent alumni described how the institutes combine classroom instruction with hands‑on skills. “For hard skills, I learned basic life support. If somebody drops right now, I can save you,” said Avionna Ryder, a current high‑school senior and recent GIV Health and Medicine participant. Another alum described pursuing EMT training after the program.

Frascoya told the committee GIV’s total annual budget is about $2,100,000, with the state currently covering roughly 20% of that figure. She said tuition contributes about 30% of revenue and the remainder comes from private fundraising. “The money that you are allocating…goes right back to the colleges and to students,” Frascoya said, noting the organization spent about $542,000 at Vermont colleges this year.

Jeremiah Breer, a GIV board member and an alum who said he was speaking as a private citizen, urged the committee to view GIV as an efficient use of public dollars. “GIV will make the absolute best use of whatever money that you give them,” Breer said, calling the organization well run with strong financial controls.

Committee members asked for further budget details and clarification on the program’s reach; Frascoya said she would be available to answer follow‑up questions and noted GIV would also present to the health committee later the same day. The committee did not take a vote on the funding request during the transcripted portion of the meeting.