Vermont Community Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HELPS TO BUILD PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN HEALTHY AND VITAL VERMONT COMMUNITIES. THE FOUNDATION CONNECTS AND MOBILIZES PEOPLE THROUGH GIVING TO MULTIPLY THE IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY.
- Income
- $54.0 million
- Spending
- $58.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 67.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 230
- Highest pay
- $320,185, ceo
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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 67.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 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)
- $50.9 million spent. THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INSPIRES GIVING AND BRINGS PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VERMONT. A FAMILY OF HUNDREDS OF FUNDS AND FOUNDATIONS, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE ADVICE, INVESTMENT VEHICLES, AND BACK-OFFICE EXPERTISE THAT MAKE IT EASY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT VERMONT TO FIND AND FUND THE CAUSES THEY LOVE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES NONPROFIT ENDOWMENT MANAGEMENT AND PLANNED GIVING SERVICES. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION HAD NEARLY $68 MILLION AT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GRANTS, MISSION INVESTMENTS, AND PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITY.THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S WORK IS CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP - THE DIVIDE THAT LEAVES TOO MANY VERMONTERS STRUGGLING TO GET AHEAD, NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY WORK. OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THE FOUNDATION IS PRIORITIZING GRANTS AND INVESTMENTS THAT: ENSURE VERMONT FAMILIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR LOVED ONES HEALTHY AND SAFE; PROVIDE VERMONTERS ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME; BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE; SUPPORT PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH; AND ADVANCE EQUITY, STRENGTHEN BELONGING, FOSTER CREATIVITY, AND PROMOTE DEMOCRACY.THE FOUNDATION ENVISIONS VERMONT AT ITS BEST - WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A BRIGHT, SECURE FUTURE.THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY, WHICH INCLUDES GRANTMAKING, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VERMONT. THE FOUNDATION OFFERED THESE SERVICES TO FOUR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS IN 2024, RESULTING IN SUPPORTING FEE REVENUE AND GRANTS TO THESE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER THESE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER THEIR MISSION.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.