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Vermont Studio Center Inc

EIN 22-2478074 · Johnson, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT ARTISTS AND WRITERS BY PROVIDING STUDIO RESIDENCIES IN AN INCLUSIVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HONORING CREATIVE WORK AS THE COMMUNICATION OF SPIRIT THROUGH FORM.

Income
$13.0 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
39
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$160,507, executive director

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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 101% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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.

  • 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

    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 (1)
  1. $5.4 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OVERMONT STUDIO CENTER (VSC) PROVIDES STUDIO RESIDENCIES TO ARTISTS AND WRITERS WITHIN AN INCLUSIVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HONORING CREATIVE WORK AS THE COMMUNICATION OF SPIRIT THROUGH FORM. IN 2024, VSC SUPPORTED 453 RESIDENTS SELECTED FROM OVER 4,600 APPLICANTS, REPRESENTING 19 COUNTRIES ACROSS 16 RESIDENCY SESSIONS. RESIDENTS INCLUDED 63% VISUAL ARTISTS AND 37% WRITERS, WITH 168 AWARDED FULL FELLOWSHIPS AND 285 PARTIAL FELLOWSHIPS, ENSURING BROAD ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS.VSC'S VISITING ARTISTS AND WRITERS PROGRAM HOSTED 16 VISITING ARTISTS AND 16 VISITING WRITERS WHO DELIVERED HUNDREDS OF STUDIO VISITS, MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATIONS, LECTURES, READINGS, AND CRAFT TALKS. VERMONT WEEK WELCOMED 31 VERMONT-BASED ARTISTS AND WRITERS FOR FULLY FUNDED RESIDENCIES, REINFORCING VSC'S COMMITMENT TO ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY.SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL AND RECOVERY MILESTONES INCLUDED RAISING CORNER HOUSE ONTO A NEW FOUNDATION, PAINTING CHURCH STUDIOS BUILDING, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JUNEBUG POLLINATOR GARDEN & TRAIL. IN ADDITION, VSC CONTINUED TO RECOVER FROM THE 2023 FLOOD WITH PROJECTS INCLUDING DEMOLISHED KAHN BARN AS WELL AS REPAIRED AND RENOVATED RED MILL EGRESS. THESE PROJECTS ALL STRENGTHENED THE CAMPUS AS A RESILIENT CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT.VSC CELEBRATED ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH EXHIBITIONS INCLUDING COLLABORATION: PRINTS FROM THE VERMONT STUDIO CENTER ARCHIVE, FEATURING 40 RESTORED WORKS. PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE AMERICAN LITERARY TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION, POETS & WRITERS, WINDGATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, AND UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HELEN ZELL WRITERS' PROGRAM EXPANDED FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT.THROUGH EXPANDED PROGRAMS, ENHANCED FACILITIES, AND STRONG LOCAL AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS, VSC CLOSED 2024 WITH INCREASED CAPACITY TO NURTURE CREATIVITY, SUPPORT ARTISTS AND WRITERS, AND DEEPEN ITS IMPACT IN VERMONT AND BEYOND. ITS ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION INCLUDED OVER $2.5 MILLION IN LOCAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT TO THE REGIONAL ECONOMY THROUGH RESIDENT AND STAFF SPENDING.AT-A-GLANCE 2024 KEY METRICS: RESIDENTS: 453 FROM 19 COUNTRIES SESSIONS: 16 FULL FELLOWSHIPS: 168 | PARTIAL FELLOWSHIPS: 285 VISITING ARTISTS & WRITERS: 32 VERMONT WEEK PARTICIPANTS: 31 PUBLIC PROGRAMS & STUDIO VISITS: 120+ $20 MINIMUM WAGE 28 EMPLOYEES 500+ RESIDENTS AND GUESTS BUYING LOCALLY $100,000+ IN PROPERTY TAXES PAID $2.5M+ FLOWING TO LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1983.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.