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Black River Good Neighbor Services Inc

EIN 03-0307817 · Ludlow, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION WE PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL, TEMPORARY FOOD, CLOTHING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP ECONOMICALLY AND NUTRITIONALLY INSECURE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES RETURN TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Income
$458,086
Spending
$441,964
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
16.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 52%
Employees
12
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$62,856, executive dir.

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

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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

Good: 73 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $276,819 spent. In 2024 we distributed free food to nutritionally insecure individuals and families in our service area. We purchase food from the Vermont Foodbank and local vendors. Local residents and organizations donated additional food to us. We also distributed USDA foods and supplemented these distributions with donated and purchased food from our food shelves since these recipients are among the poorest of our clients. We raised funds for this program through donations, special events, and sales of donated goods from our thrift store and used furniture store. We do not record revenue by program due to the multiplicity of sources and the volume of undesignated cash gifts. Grants reported here are measured by the cost of food purchased. See Schedule 1 Part 3 for the measure of grants based on retail value of food distributed.
  2. We assisted clients who met our income guidelines with payments for rent, fuel, utilities and flood assistance. We raised funds for this program through donations, special events and sales of donated goods from our thrift store and used furniture store. We do not record revenue by program due to the multiplicity of sources and the volume of non-cash donations.
  3. We distributed holiday food via gift cards in December of 2024 to 96 families who met our household financial guidelines for assistance. These cards and coupons were donated to us or purchased by us and delivered to the recipients. We also distributed toys and clothing that was donated by various local individuals and organizations to any children in eligible households. See Schedule 1, Part 3 for the measure of grants based on fair market value. The amount of expenses represents our cash costs.
  4. In 2024 our thrift store and used furniture store operations provided clothing, household goods and used furniture to the community at nominal prices or for free depending upon the need. All items sold were donated to us by the public. Expenses were incurred for salaries and overhead. Cash from the sales of goods financed food, financial assistance, and other programs after paying store expenses.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 January 1990.

    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.