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Southeastern Vermont Community Action Inc

EIN 03-0216740 · Westminster, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO COPE WITH, AND REDUCE THE HARDSHIPS OF POVERTY; CREATE SUSTAINABLE SELF-SUFFICIENCY; AND REDUCE THE CAUSES AND MOVE TOWARD THE ELIMINATION OF POVERTY.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$9.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
128
Volunteers
345
Highest pay
$114,124, interim executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 30, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $3.7 million spent. VERMONT HAS ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSING STOCKS IN THE COUNTRY, AND IN SOUTHEASTERN VERMONT, MANY HOMES ARE DRAFTY, INEFFICIENT, AND EXPENSIVE TO HEAT. FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, THIS MEANS HIGH ENERGY BILLS, UNCOMFORTABLE WINTERS, AND HOUSING THAT CAN QUICKLY BECOME UNSAFE OR UNAFFORDABLE.SEVCA'S WEATHERIZATION AND EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM ADDRESSES THESE CHALLENGES HEAD-ON, IMPROVING HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY, COMFORT, AND SAFETY--WHILE ALSO STRENGTHENING VERMONT'S HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOCAL ECONOMY.WHAT WE DO: ASSESS AND WEATHERIZE HOMES TO REDUCE ENERGY LOSS AND LOWER UTILITY COSTS; REPAIR OR REPLACE INEFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEMS; COMPLETE ESSENTIAL HOME REPAIRS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS AND TO MAKE WEATHERIZATION POSSIBLE (E.G., ROOFING, VENTILATION, INSULATIONS); OFFER PERSONALIZED ENERGY COACHING, INCLUDING APPLIANCE UPGRADES AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION; SUPORT LOCAL JOBS THROUGH SUBCONTRACTING WITH AREA BUSINESSES.2024 IMPACT: 267 HOMES WEATHERIZED OR REPAIRED, $706,317 INVESTED IN LOCAL SUBCONTRACTORS, 100 HEATING SYSTEMS FIXED OR REPLACED, 174 ENERGY COACHING SESSIONS DELIVERED.THIS WORK GOES BEYOND ENERGY SAVINGS. IT'S ABOUT PRESERVING THE HOMES WE HAVE, REDUCING EMISSIONS, AND ENSURING VERMONTERS CAN LIVE IN SAFE, WARMS, AND AFFORDABLE SPACES. AT A TIME WHEN HOUSING IS SCARCE AND COSTLY TO BUILD, SEVCA'S WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM IS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN BOTH PEOPLE AND PLACE.
  2. $1.8 million spent. TOO OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD AS DAYCARE, SEVCA'S HEAD START PROGRAMS ARE COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS--NOT JUST FOR KIDS, BUT FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES.WHAT WE DO: EARLY EDUCATION THAT PREPARES CHILDREN ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH PRE-SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE; NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT; CONNECTIONS TO HEALTHCARE--INCLUDING DENTAL, VISION, HEARING, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, DENTAL HEALTH, AND PRIMARY CARE--FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS; FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT TO CONNECT CAREGIVERS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES LIKE HOUSING, FINANCIAL COACHING, CHILDCARE, FUEL ASSISTANCE, WEATHERIZATION, AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT.2024 IMPACT: 63 CHILDREN SERVED, 26,400+ NUTRITIOUS MEALS/SNACKS SERVED, 61 FAMILIES ENGAGED IN SERVICES, 98% OF CHILDREN RECEIVED DENTAL SCREENINGS, 98% OF CHILDREN ARE UP TO DATE ON IMMUNIZATIONS.RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATION PAIRED WITH FAMILY SUPPORTS IMPROVES LONG-TERM ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, REDUCES HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND BUILDS GENERATIONAL STABILITY. SEVCA'S APPROACH SUPPORTS NOT ONLY SCHOOL READINESS--BUT LIFE READINESS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. SEVCA'S FAMILY SERVICES TEAM IS OFTEN THE FIRST POINT OF CONCTACT WHEN CRISIS STRIKES. OUR TEAM MEETS PEOPLE WITH EMPATHY AND PRACTICAL TOOLS, OFFERING ONE-ON-ONE PROBLEM-SOLVING TO MEET URGENT NEEDS WHILE PLANTING SEEDS FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY.WHAT WE DO: PREVENT UTILITY SHUTOFFS AND RESTORE HEAT AND ELECTRICITY; STABILIZE HOUSING BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENTAL AND BACK RENT ASSISTANCE; SUPPORT FLOOD RECOVERY AND DISASTER RESPONSE; HELP UNHOUSED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING; COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND FOOD NAVIGATION.2024 IMPACT: 337 HOUSEHOLDS STABILIZED WITH HOUSING SUPPORT, 58 HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS HOUSED IN LONG-TERM STABLE HOUSING, 129 HOUSEHOLDS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING HOMELESSNESS, 23 FAMILIES SUPPORTED THROUGH FLOOD RELIEF AND RECOVERY.SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE KEEPS FAMILIES SAFE. BUT SEVCA'S DEEPER WORK LIES IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS--HELPING PEOPLE REGAIN FOOTING, IDENTIFY GOALS, AND CONNECT TO BROADER SUPPORTS LIKE JOB DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL COACHING, AND HOUSING ADVOCACY.EACH CRISIS MET WITH CARE IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE DIGNITY AND BUILD RESILIENCE.
  4. $590,132 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE CRISIS FUEL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, THRIFT STORES, AND TEXTILE RECYCLING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.