Shelburne Farms
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF SHELBURNE FARMS IS TO INSPIRE AND CULTIVATE LEARNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
- Income
- $28.5 million
- Spending
- $9.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 44 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 153
- Volunteers
- 37
- Highest pay
- $160,749, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 44.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 184% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $7.0 million spent. SHELBURNE FARMS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND CULTIVATE LEARNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THE NONPROFIT OFFERS LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ARE GROUNDED IN PLACE AND ENRICHED BY NATURE TO HELP EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS CREATE A MORE THRIVING WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION'S HOME CAMPUS IS A 1,400- ACRE DIVERSIFIED WORKING FARM LOCATED IN SHELBURNE, VERMONT ON THE HOMELANDS OF THE WINOOSKIK BAND OF THE ABENAKI. THE FARM IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND SERVES AS A LIVING CLASSROOM THAT INVITES PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, VISITORS, AND OVERNIGHT GUESTS TO LEARN, GROW, AND BE INSPIRED. SHELBURNE FARMS REALIZES ITS MISSION THROUGH PROGRAMS OFFERED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY. OUR WORK SEEKS TO CREATE SPACE, SPARK CONVERSATIONS, AND SHARE STORIES TO INSPIRE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND LEARNERS OF ALL AGES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH ITS DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, SHELBURNE FARMS: ENGAGES YOUTH AND PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE THEM TO BUILD RESILIENT AND CARING COMMUNITIES; PRACTICES STEWARDSHIP AND EMBODIES VALUES OF PLACE AND COMMUNITY THROUGH CARING FOR AND SHARING OUR NATURAL, AGRICULTURAL, CULTURAL, AND HUMAN RESOURCES; AND COLLABORATES WITH EDUCATORS AND OTHER LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY WORLDWIDE. SHELBURNE FARMS IS SUPPORTED BY CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, TUITION, FEES AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM ITS MISSION ADVANCING ENTERPRISES, INCLUDING A GRASS-BASED DAIRY AND AWARD-WINNING FARMSTEAD CHEESE MAKING OPERATION, AN ORGANIC MARKET GARDEN, MAPLE SUGARING AND LUMBER OPERATION, SPECIAL EVENTS, YEAR-ROUND GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS, AND FARM-TO-TABLE FOOD SERVICES. FOLLOWING THE GIFT OF THE PROPERTY TO THE NONPROFIT IN 1984, GROWING PROGRAMS AND IMPROVING THE HISTORIC PROPERTY AS AN INSPIRING CAMPUS FOR LEARNING HAVE BEEN ONGOING ENDEAVORS. IN ITS 52ND YEAR AS AN EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO TOUCH THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IN 2024, THE FARM RECEIVED CHARITABLE SUPPORT FROM 4,292 INDIVIDUAL DONORS FROM 49 STATES AND 9 COUNTRIES. SHELBURNE FARMS' PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAMS SERVED 1,600 EDUCATORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD, BOTH ON-SITE AND VIRTUALLY. WELCOME CENTER ATTENDANCE FOR THE WALKING TRAILS AND CHILDREN'S FARMYARD TOTALED 127,000 PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, 8,120 YOUTH ATTENDED SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMPS, AND 45,687 OTHERS CAME TO VISIT OR STAY AT THE FARM AND/OR PARTICIPATE IN FAMILY AND ADULT PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO CHARGE FOR WALKING TRAIL ACCESS AT THE FARM. EVERY EDUCATOR IS SEEN AS A LIFE-LONG PARTNER WORKING TO INCREASE THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY. ULTIMATELY THE SUCCESS OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT SHELBURNE FARMS IS MEASURED BY DEEPENING TEACHER PRACTICE AND STUDENT LEARNING, LEADING TO IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THROUGH THE SHELBURNE FARMS INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS, THE HUB FOR ALL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAMMING, AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT. SHELBURNE FARMS ALSO CONTINUED TO RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT DONOR-DESIGNATED FUNDING FOR ITS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS. GIFTS AND GRANTS PROVIDED CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE FARM-BASED EDUCATION NETWORK, VERMONT FEED (FOOD EDUCATION EVERYDAY) IN COLLABORATION WITH NOFA-VT, AND FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE USDA, SHELBURNE FARMS IS PLAYING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN EXPANDING FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS NATIONALLY. CAPITAL GIFTS AND GRANTS THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN FOR SHELBURNE FARMS ARE MAKING POSSIBLE CONTINUING CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY ON-SITE AND GLOBALLY. IN ADDITION TO LAUNCHING THE SHELBURNE FARMS INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS, THE CAMPAIGN IS MAKING POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL LAND CONSERVATION IN THE HEART OF THE FARM, REPAIRS AT THE BREEDING BARN AND FORMAL FLOWER GARDENS, A COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF THE COACH BARN AS THE FARM'S CONVENING CENTER, PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING NET ZERO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2028, AND MORE. SHELBURNE FARMS' VISION IS A HEALTHY AND JUST WORLD ROOTED IN STEWARDSHIP AND COMMUNITY. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW SHELBURNE FARMS IS WORKING TO INSPIRE AN EMERGING GENERATION OF CHANGE MAKERS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.SHELBURNEFARMS.ORG. SHELBURNE FARMS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND CULTIVATE LEARNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THE NONPROFIT OFFERS LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ARE GROUNDED IN PLACE AND ENRICHED BY NATURE TO HELP EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS CREATE A MORE THRIVING WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION'S HOME CAMPUS IS A 1,400- ACRE DIVERSIFIED WORKING FARM LOCATED IN SHELBURNE, VERMONT ON THE HOMELANDS OF THE WINOOSKIK BAND OF THE ABENAKI. THE FARM IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND SERVES AS A LIVING CLASSROOM THAT INVITES PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, VISITORS, AND OVERNIGHT GUESTS TO LEARN, GROW, AND BE INSPIRED. SHELBURNE FARMS REALIZES ITS MISSION THROUGH PROGRAMS OFFERED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY. OUR WORK SEEKS TO CREATE SPACE, SPARK CONVERSATIONS, AND SHARE STORIES TO INSPIRE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND LEARNERS OF ALL AGES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH ITS DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, SHELBURNE FARMS: ENGAGES YOUTH AND PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE THEM TO BUILD RESILIENT AND CARING COMMUNITIES; PRACTICES STEWARDSHIP AND EMBODIES VALUES OF PLACE AND COMMUNITY THROUGH CARING FOR AND SHARING OUR NATURAL, AGRICULTURAL, CULTURAL, AND HUMAN RESOURCES; AND COLLABORATES WITH EDUCATORS AND OTHER LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY WORLDWIDE. SHELBURNE FARMS IS SUPPORTED BY CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, TUITION, FEES AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM ITS MISSION ADVANCING ENTERPRISES, INCLUDING A GRASS-BASED DAIRY AND AWARD-WINNING FARMSTEAD CHEESE MAKING OPER
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.