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Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Inc

EIN 03-0349736 · Montpelier, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE NURTURE THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, ECOLOGICAL HEALTH, AND SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY OF PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES IN VERMONT FOR THE BENEFIT AND WELL-BEING OF ALL WHO LIVE HERE.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
25
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$143,867, 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 45% of charities in its peer group (employment, $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

    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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND (VSJF) WAS DESIGNATED BY THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE IN 2009 TO SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FARM TO PLATE INVESTMENT PROGRAM, WITH THE AIM OF STRENGTHENING VERMONT'S FOOD SYSTEM OVER TEN YEARS. IN 2019, THE LEGISLATURE REAUTHORIZED ANOTHER TEN YEARS OF THE FARM TO PLATE INVESTMENT PROGRAM TO: INCREASE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CREATE JOBS IN VERMONT'S FOOD AND FARM SECTOR; 2. IMPROVE SOILS, WATER, AND RESILIENCY OF THE WORKING LANDSCAPE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE; AND 3. IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY LOCAL FOODS FOR ALL VERMONTERS.
  2. $507,492 spent. THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND'S BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVES CLIENTS CONNECTED TO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEM, FOREST PRODUCT, WASTE MANAGEMENT, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY SECTORS. WE PROVIDE TAILORED, HIGH-TOUCH PLANNING, COACHING, AND ADVISING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO ADVANCE PROFITABILITY, JOB CREATION, AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $191,468 spent. THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND'S FOREST PRODUCTS PROGRAM SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES VERMONT'S FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE CHAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND A COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY TO IMPROVE MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INDUSTRY. THE PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND AND THE VERMONT WORKING LANDS ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE CENTER.
  4. $585,704 spent. THE DELTACLIMEVT BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IS A VERMONT-BASED PROGRAM SERVING STARTUP AND SEED-STAGE VENTURES FOCUSING ON CLIMATE ECONOMY INNOVATION ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES. OUR THREE IMMERSIVE SPRINTS HELP COMPANIES REFINE THEIR VISION, SOLIDIFY THEIR STRATEGY, AND ENABLE RAPID GROWTH. PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE WITH IMPROVED BUSINESS PLANS, NEW TOOLS TO ATTRACT INVESTORS, AND THE POTENTIAL TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN VERMONT AND BEYOND. THE VSJF FLEXIBLE CAPITAL FUND, L3C (FLEX FUND) IS A MISSION-BASED, FOR PROFIT INVESTMENT FUND LAUNCHED IN 2011 THAT PROVIDES FLEXIBLE RISK CAPITAL TO INNOVATIVE GROWTH STAGE COMPANIES IN VERMONT'S FOOD SYSTEM, FORESTRY AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SECTORS. THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND SERVES AS THE FLEX FUND'S MANAGER, AND THROUGH CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES FUND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE FLEX FUND ON A FEE FOR SERVICE BASIS. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE FLEX FUND IS DONE SOLELY THROUGH THE FLEX FUND'S BOARD OF MANAGERS.
  5. THE DELTACLIMEVT BUSINESS ACCELERATOR IS A VERMONT-BASED PROGRAM SERVING STARTUP AND SEED-STAGE VENTURES FOCUSING ON CLIMATE ECONOMY INNOVATION ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES. OUR THREE IMMERSIVE SPRINTS HELP COMPANIES REFINE THEIR VISION, SOLIDIFY THEIR STRATEGY, AND ENABLE RAPID GROWTH. PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE WITH IMPROVED BUSINESS PLANS, NEW TOOLS TO ATTRACT INVESTORS, AND THE POTENTIAL TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN VERMONT AND BEYOND. THE VSJF FLEXIBLE CAPITAL FUND, L3C (FLEX FUND) IS A MISSION-BASED, FOR PROFIT INVESTMENT FUND LAUNCHED IN 2011 THAT PROVIDES FLEXIBLE RISK CAPITAL TO INNOVATIVE GROWTH STAGE COMPANIES IN VERMONT'S FOOD SYSTEM, FORESTRY AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SECTORS. THE VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND SERVES AS THE FLEX FUND'S MANAGER, AND THROUGH CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES FUND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE FLEX FUND ON A FEE FOR SERVICE BASIS. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE FLEX FUND IS DONE SOLELY THROUGH THE FLEX FUND'S BOARD OF MANAGERS.

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 March 1996.

    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.