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Green Mountain Self-Advocates Inc

EIN 01-0971799 · White River Junction, VT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF GREEN MOUNTAIN SELF-ADVOCATES (GMSA) IS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO EDUCATE THEIR PEERS TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN LIVES, MAKE DECISIONS, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. ANOTHER PURPOSE OF GMSA IS TO EDUCATE AND MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE STRENGTHS, RIGHTS, WANTS AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. WE ARE BUILDING A MOVEMENT FOR SELF-ADVOCACY IN VERMONT THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, PEER MENTORING AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$486,922
Spending
$524,817
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
20
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$58,839, administrative director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $126,980 spent. GREEN MOUNTAIN SELF-ADVOCATES (GMSA) ORGANIZES AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, "VOICES AND CHOICES," IN BURLINGTON, VT. ESTABLISHED IN 1998, THIS EVENT HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE LARGEST DISABILITY GATHERING IN VERMONT, ATTRACTING PARTICIPANTS FROM EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE AND BEYOND. THE APRIL 2023 CONFERENCE HAD 560 ATTENDEES, INCLUDING VERMONTERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES, DEDICATED SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND SUPPORTIVE ALLIES. "VOICES AND CHOICES" SERVES AS A UNIQUE PLATFORM FOR COLLECTIVE LEARNING, EMPHASIZING CRUCIAL ASPECTS OF DECISION-MAKING, SELF-ADVOCACY, AND RELATIONSHIPS. THE CONFERENCE HAD MORE THAN 25 WORKSHOPS THAT AIM TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND CREATE A SPACE FOR FAMILIES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND ALLIES TO COME TOGETHER, SHARE EXPERIENCES, AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF SELF-ADVOCACY.
  2. $58,972 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDES PAYMENTS FOR CONSULTATONS, TRAININGS, PARTCIPATION ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND HONORARIUMS FOR PRESENTATIONS. TYPICALLY, THESE PROJECTS ARE CONTRACTS WITH ORGANIZATIONS WHO PAY A SET FEE FOR AGREED UPON DELIVERABLES. FOR EXAMPLE: $500 FOR A KEYNOTE. MOST OF THESE PAYMENTS ARE FOR ONETIME EVENTS OR PROJECTS. GREEN MOUNTAIN SELF ADVOCATES EMPLOYS AND SUPPORTS PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO PREPARE FOR AND PARTCIPATE IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
  3. $55,810 spent. SELF-ADVOCACY PROJECTTHE SELF-ADVOCACY PROJECT ENABLES GMSA TO STAFF A STATEWIDE OFFICE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GROUPS, AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO MASTER SELF-DETERMINATION SKILLS. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: - PROVIDE VIRTUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE VISITS, PEER MENTORING AND SUPPORT FOR HUNDREDS OF SELF-ADVOCATES WHO BELONG TO MORE THAN 20 LOCAL-SELF ADVOCACY GROUPS. - TRAINING FOR BOARD MEMBERS ON BOARD MONEY MANAGEMENT. - DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, MEDICAL STUDENTS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. - SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE ON ADVISORY BOARDS. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PEER LEADERS TO TRAIN DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.- GMSA SUCCESSFULLY WORKED WITH FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS TO VIRTUALLY PRESENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2012.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.