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Vermont Woodlands Association

EIN 03-0342303 · Waterbury, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION'S (VWA) MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PRACTICES OF PRODUCTIVE STEWARDSHIP, USE, AND ENJOYMENT OF VERMONT'S WOODLANDS. WE ACHIEVE THIS MISSION BY DELIVERING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FOREST LANDOWNERS, PROFESSIONALS, POLICYMAKERS, AND THE PUBLIC THAT SUPPORT FOREST HEALTH, THE FOREST ECONOMY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, RECREATION, AND ENJOYMENT OF FORESTS FOR TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. OUR CORE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM, WOODLAND LEGACY PLANNING, CLIMATE FORESTRY AND WOMEN OWNING WOODLANDS.

Income
$420,686
Spending
$403,797
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 40%
Employees
3
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$12,692, executive di

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. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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 (3)
  1. $222,736 spent. VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION (VWA) IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE STEWARDSHIP AND PRODUCTIVE USE OF VERMONT'S PRIVATELY OWNED FORESTS. WE PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND OUTREACH TO LANDOWNERS, NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS, AND THE PUBLIC, HELPING THEM MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT CARING FOR THEIR WOODS. IN 2024, VWA OFFERED 36 IN-PERSON AND ONLINE PROGRAMS-REACHING MORE THAN 1,000 PARTICIPANTS-AND ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT ACROSS MORE THAN 220,000 ACRES OF PRIVATE LAND. VWA ALSO ADMINISTERS THE VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM, A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY ON PRIVATE LANDS. IN 2024, WE SUPPORTED 437 VT TREE FARMS, COLLECTIVELY STEWARDING NEARLY 150,000 ACRES OF FORESTLAND.
  2. $38,922 spent. VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM- VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM IS A LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM OF THE VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION THAT PROVIDES THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION THAT FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES MEET A HIGH STANDARD OF SUSTAINABILITY. THE VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM IS PART OF THE AMERICAN TREE FARM SYSTEM. VERMONT TREE FARMERS MANAGE THEIR FORESTS TO PRODUCE WOOD, CLEAN WATER, WILDLIFE HABITAT, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND A RANGE OF OTHER OBJECTIVES. TREE FARMERS SHARE A UNIQUE COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING WATERSHEDS AND WILDLIFE HABITATS, CONSERVING SOIL, AND PROVIDING RECREATION, AND AT THE SAME TIME PRODUCING WOOD PRODUCTS ON A SUSTAINABLE BASIS. VERMONT HAS OVER 450 CERTIFIED TREE FARMS TOTALING 156,000 ACRES.
  3. $42,569 spent. VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM - VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION IS A STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION. OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE FOREST LANDOWNERS, FORESTERS, NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS BUSINESSES, AND SUPPORTERS. WE OFFER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO BRING MEMBERS TOGETHER TO LEARN, NETWORK, AND GAIN ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP OF VERMONT'S PRIVATELY OWNED FORESTLAND. IN ADDITION, VWA SUPPORTS MEMBER ADVOCACY BY INFORMING OUR MEMBERSHIP OF FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION THAT COULD IMPACT PRIVATE FOREST LANDOWNERS. VWA COMMUNICATES WITH OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS THROUGH A WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER, TIMELY POLICY UPDATES, A QUARTERLY PRINT NEWSLETTER, AND A COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION TO NORTHERN WOODLANDS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE CENTER FOR NORTHERN WOODLANDS EDUCATION. VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM - VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION IS A STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION. OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE FOREST LANDOWNERS, FORESTERS, NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS BUSINESSES, AND SUPPORTERS. WE OFFER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO BRING MEMBERS TOGETHER TO LEARN, NETWORK, AND GAIN ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP OF VERMONT'S PRIVATELY OWNED FORESTLAND. IN ADDITION, VWA SUPPORTS MEMBER ADVOCACY BY INFORMING OUR MEMBERSHIP OF FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION THAT COULD IMPACT PRIVATE FOREST LANDOWNERS. VWA COMMUNICATES WITH OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS THROUGH A WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER, TIMELY POLICY UPDATES, A QUARTERLY PRINT NEWSLETTER, AND A COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION TO NORTHERN WOODLANDS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE CENTER FOR NORTHERN WOODLANDS EDUCATION.

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 October 1994.

    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.