Providing the State of Vermont Logo to External Entities
The Chief Marketing Office administers the Moon Over Mountains logo. This logo is the official logo for the State of Vermont. It's the visual mark that represents the State.
If you receive a logo request from an external entity, ask for guidance. Talk to your leadership, your communications lead, and send us an email. We will help you determine if the external entity should use the logo.
When the Moon Over Mountains logo appears on materials that aren't owned by the State, it communicates:
- A relationship between the entity and the State of Vermont.
- The State of Vermont has a role in the outcome of a program or project.
- The State of Vermont endorses the entity.
An external entity may not use the Moon Over Mountains logo if:
- They will receive commercial gain.
- It gives the appearance that the State endorses a person, product or private company.
The State cannot stop a private party from saying that the State of Vermont is a customer, but being a customer does not mean they can use State branding.
Note:
Please do not provide a recommendation to a company or person for their general use. The contracting process isn't open and fair if the State recommends a vendor in writing. Read Bulletin 3.5 for more guidelines on public endorsements.
Approved Branding for State Sponsorships, Partnerships and Funding
The State may sponsor, partner with, or fund companies and organizations. If your State entity wants to sponsor, partner with or fund a company or organization, ask us how to proceed. The Chief Marketing Office is the authority for the State of Vermont logos and we will provide you with the correct version of the Moon Over Mountains logo. Please don't change, create, or replicate the Moon Over Mountains or Coat of Arms logos.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship happens when the State gives money to support a program, event, or campaign. In a sponsorship, the State does not play an active role in the program, event, or campaign. Sponsorships need to align with the State entity's mission, goals, and priorities. If you are sponsoring a program, event, or campaign, use the ‘Sponsored by' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Here's an example of the 'Sponsored by' logo. This example contains the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets identifiers identifier.
Example of when to use the 'Sponsored by' Moon Over Mountains logo:
Example
Donating Money
A State agency donated money to an organization to host a conference. The State is not taking an active role in planning or hosting the conference and may not attend. The organization will use the donation to support the event. In return for the donation, the conference materials mention the State as a sponsor. The materials also include the 'Sponsored by' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Here are things to consider when you develop a sponsorship agreement
- Include guidelines for how to use the State logo.
- Make sure the State has the right to approve materials and activities before they're shared.
- Name everyone who will be part of the sponsorship.
- Describe the sponsorship. Include how the sponsorship will benefit each entity.
- Have clear payment terms.
- Define how long the sponsorship agreement will last. Include options or conditions for renewal and any price increase calculations.
- Include language about how to end the agreement early if you need to.
Avoid a sponsorship if:
- The organization, program, product, or event promotes illegal substances.
- The sponsored events compete with existing State programs or services.
- The project may hurt State programs or services.
- The project poses a conflict of interest.
- It's a political sponsorship.
- The issue or topic may cause widespread public controversy.
- It involves discrimination.
- State funds will support religious activities.
- The State is currently in litigation with one of the entities.
- It's with a union representing State of Vermont employees.
- The State regulates the company or organization.
Partnership
A partnership is a relationship between the State and an external entity. A partnership advances mutual goals through a program, event, or campaign. In a partnership, the State plays a role but is not the primary owner of the program, event, or campaign. If you are partnering with an external entity, use the ‘In partnership with' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Here's an example of the 'In partnership with' logo. This example uses the Agency of Human Services identifier.
Examples of when to use the 'In partnership with' Moon Over Mountains logo:
Example 1
Collaborative Webinar
A State entity and a local organization share a similar mission. Additionally, they communicate with the same audience. There is a new opportunity and the State and organization partner to host a webinar. Webinar materials include the 'In partnership with' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Example 2
Collaborative Event
A State entity and a local organization share a similar mission. Additionally, they communicate with the same audience. The State and organization host an event for their audience. Event materials include the 'In partnership with' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Funding
State entities administer grant programs and provide funding or loans. Grant programs are available to nonprofits, and private, federal, or local entities. Grant programs have a variety of purposes, including projects, events, marketing, and more. If you're providing funding, use the ‘Funding provided by' Moon Over Mountains logo.
Here's an example of the 'In partnership with' logo. This example contains the Agency of Commerce and Community Development identifier.
Example of when to use the 'Funding provided by' Moon Over Mountains logo:
Example 1
Grant Program Recipients
A State entity administers a grant program for building projects. Recipients need to acknowledge that the State provided funding. Project materials include the 'Funding provided by' Moon Over Mountains logo.