Families First in Southern Vermont Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE FAMILY-FRIENDLY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH A DISABILITY. OUR SERVICES WILL PROMOTE INDEPENDENT LIVING, ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM AND CULTIVATE COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP THROUGH CARING AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS.
- Income
- $11.4 million
- Spending
- $11.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 136
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $163,721, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
10 of 10Gave 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 June 30, 2025, 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)
- $5.2 million spent. FAMILIES FIRST IN SOUTHERN VERMONT, INC. OFFERS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THAT ENHANCE CONSUMERS' ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, AND ENABLE PARTICIPATION IN A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, CONSUMERS DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, ESTABLISH AND ENHANCE FRIENDSHIPS, VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY, PURSUE RECREATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES, AND GET HEALTHY THROUGH EXERCISE AND FITNESS PROGRAMS.
- $4.2 million spent. FAMILIES FIRST IN SOUTHERN VERMONT, INC. OFFERS HOME AND SHARED LIVING SUPPORTS RANGING FROM STRENGTHENING FAMILY-BASED LIVING OPTIONS TO OFFERING A FEW SCHEDULED HOURS PER WEEK IN A CONSUMER'S HOME HELPING THEM DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS (SUCH AS COOKING, HOUSEKEEPING, AND PERSONAL FINANCE) TO 24/7 CONTRACTED SUPPORT IN A SHARED LIVING PROVIDER'S HOME. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ENSURING THE CONSUMER'S HEALTH AND SAFETY, MAXIMIZING INDEPENDENCE, ADDRESSING INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES AND NEEDS, CREATING A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT, AND ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE.
- $923,155 spent. THE CONSUMERS SERVED IN THE FAMILIES FIRST IN SOUTHERN VERMONT, INC. COORDINATION PROGRAM RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT FROM A DEDICATED GROUP OF COMMUNITY INCLUSION FACILITATORS WHO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING THE ENTIRE ARRAY OF SERVICES EACH CONSUMER RECEIVES. WORKING TOGETHER, STAFF, CONSUMER AND FAMILY DEVELOP AN ANNUAL INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE AGREEMENT THAT REFLECTS EACH CONSUMER'S GOALS FOR THE YEAR AND SERVES AS THE GUIDE THAT DRIVES SCHEDULE AND SERVICES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 April 1997.
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.