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Vermont Legal Aid Inc

EIN 03-0219366 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VERMONT LEGAL AID PROVIDES FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT VERMONT WHO ARE POOR, ELDERLY, OR HAVE DISABILITIES AND WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE DENIED JUSTICE OR THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE. THROUGH ITS HEALTH CARE OMBUDSMAN AND LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAMS, VERMONT LEGAL AID ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY FOR VERMONTERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND LONG-TERM CARE.

Income
$11.0 million
Spending
$11.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 79%
Employees
96
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$148,415, interim e.d.

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (5)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE POVERTY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES THE FULL RANGE OF LEGAL SERVICES SUBJECT TO INCOME AND SUBSTANTIVE ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES IMPOSED BY THE RELEVANT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS OF THE VERMONT LEGAL AID, INC. (VLA) BOARD. SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO VICTIMS OF FAMILY ABUSE, TENANTS FACING EVICTION, VERMONTERS DENIED GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, AND CONSUMERS SUBJECT TO FRAUD AND EXPLOITATION.
  2. $1.6 million spent. THE HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE OFFICE ACTS AS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE THAT INVESTIGATES REPORTED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS OF HEALTH INSURANCE. IT HELPS PEOPLE WITH CLAIMS OF DENIAL OF CARE, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, BILLING PROBLEMS, COMPLAINTS, AND APPEALS. IT ALSO PARTICIPATES IN HEALTH INSURANCE RATE FILINGS WITH THE BOARD CHARGED BY THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE WITH OVERSEEING THE RATE OF HEALTH CARE COST GROWTH IN VERMONT AND THE QUALITY OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
  3. $863,642 spent. THE ELDER LAW PROJECT PROVIDES SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 60. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING REPRESENTING INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK HELP THROUGH THE VARIOUS AREA AGENCIES ON AGING, DUAL-ELIGIBLE ELDERLY MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, AND STATEWIDE ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF VERMONT ELDERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT SUBDIVISIONS.
  4. $4.9 million spent. (1) THE DISABILITY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICES RANGE FROM REPRESENTATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMBATING DISCRIMINATION, TO ASSURING ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES. TOTAL EXPENSES = 853,611. (2) THE MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROJECT REPRESENTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF VERMONTERS FACING LEGAL COMMITMENT TO VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OR COURT-ORDERED FORCED MEDICATION FOR PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 894,158. (3) THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROJECT ASSISTS RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES WITH QUALITY OF LIFE OR QUALITY OF CARE PROBLEMS. THE OMBUDSMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE WHO HELPS RESIDENTS RESOLVE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 836,638. (4) THE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAW PROJECT IS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT A FULL-SERVICE, COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM UNDER THE PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 342,693. (5) OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE HOUSING FOR EVERYONE PROJECT IS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH WAS PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. THE PROJECT HAS, SINCE JULY OF 2022, SOUGHT TO INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BY CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO ALL TENANT/DEFENDANTS IN RESIDENTIAL EVICTION CASES FILED IN COURT, AND PROVIDE LEGAL HELP TO ALL ELIGIBLE TENANTS WHO RESPOND TO OUTREACH. LEGAL HELP GIVES TENANTS OPTIONS IN THE EVICTION PROCESS, AND SOMETIMES CAN RESOLVE DISPUTES AND ALLOW TENANTS TO KEEP THEIR HOMES PERMANENTLY. 2. THE HOMEOWNER LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW- TO-MODERATE INCOME VERMONT HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES DUE TO MORTGAGE, PROPERTY TAX, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES, OR OTHER PROPERTY CHARGE DELINQUENCY. THE PROJECT ALSO ASSISTS HEIRS NEEDING PROOF OF LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HOME TO AVOID MORTGAGE OR PROPERTY TAX ISSUES. 3. THE MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WORKS WITH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS THEIR PATIENTS' HEALTH-HARMING LEGAL NEEDS IN A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING SAFE HOUSING, ADEQUATE INCOME, AND PERSONAL AND FAMILY STABILITY. BY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR MEDICAL HOME WE ARE ABLE TO REACH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE SEEK OUR SERVICES. 4. THE VICTIMS' RIGHTS PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO CRIME VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VERMONT FOCUSING ON SECURING VICTIMS' SAFETY, SECURITY, AND PRIVACY. OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE ASSISTING SURVIVORS OF ELDER ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 2,003,864.
  5. (1) THE DISABILITY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICES RANGE FROM REPRESENTATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMBATING DISCRIMINATION, TO ASSURING ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES. TOTAL EXPENSES = 853,611. (2) THE MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROJECT REPRESENTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF VERMONTERS FACING LEGAL COMMITMENT TO VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OR COURT-ORDERED FORCED MEDICATION FOR PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 894,158. (3) THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROJECT ASSISTS RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES WITH QUALITY OF LIFE OR QUALITY OF CARE PROBLEMS. THE OMBUDSMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE WHO HELPS RESIDENTS RESOLVE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 836,638. (4) THE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAW PROJECT IS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT A FULL-SERVICE, COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM UNDER THE PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 342,693. (5) OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE HOUSING FOR EVERYONE PROJECT IS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH WAS PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. THE PROJECT HAS, SINCE JULY OF 2022, SOUGHT TO INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BY CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO ALL TENANT/DEFENDANTS IN RESIDENTIAL EVICTION CASES FILED IN COURT, AND PROVIDE LEGAL HELP TO ALL ELIGIBLE TENANTS WHO RESPOND TO OUTREACH. LEGAL HELP GIVES TENANTS OPTIONS IN THE EVICTION PROCESS, AND SOMETIMES CAN RESOLVE DISPUTES AND ALLOW TENANTS TO KEEP THEIR HOMES PERMANENTLY. 2. THE HOMEOWNER LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW- TO-MODERATE INCOME VERMONT HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES DUE TO MORTGAGE, PROPERTY TAX, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES, OR OTHER PROPERTY CHARGE DELINQUENCY. THE PROJECT ALSO ASSISTS HEIRS NEEDING PROOF OF LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HOME TO AVOID MORTGAGE OR PROPERTY TAX ISSUES. 3. THE MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WORKS WITH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS THEIR PATIENTS' HEALTH-HARMING LEGAL NEEDS IN A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING SAFE HOUSING, ADEQUATE INCOME, AND PERSONAL AND FAMILY STABILITY. BY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR MEDICAL HOME WE ARE ABLE TO REACH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE SEEK OUR SERVICES. 4. THE VICTIMS' RIGHTS PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO CRIME VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VERMONT FOCUSING ON SECURING VICTIMS' SAFETY, SECURITY, AND PRIVACY. OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE ASSISTING SURVIVORS OF ELDER ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 2,003,864.

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 November 1967.

    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.