Vermont Association of Snow Travelers Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF SNOW TRAVELERS, INC. (VAST) IS A VERMONT BASED NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION FOUNDED IN 1967. THE PURPOSE OF VAST IS TO COORDINATE THE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND MANAGEMENT OF VERMONT'S STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS SYSTEM (SSTS) AS WELL AS TO EDUCATE VERMONT SNOWMOBILERS ABOUT THE SAFE, RESPONSIBLE OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES, AND THE PROTECTION OF VERMONT'S ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 19,023
- Highest pay
- $108,405, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 77 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 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 (2)
- $256,969 spent. STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS PROGRAM (SSTP) - THE STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS SYSTEM (SSTS) IS COMPRISED OF MORE THAN 6,000 MILES OF INTERCONNECTED SNOWMOBILE TRAILS THAT EXTEND FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER IN THE NORTH, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS BORDER IN THE SOUTH, AND FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BORDER IN THE EAST, TO THE NEW YORK BORDER IN THE WEST. THROUGH THE STATE OF VERMONT, VAST HAS BEEN AWARDED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE OF VERMONT FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SSTS. TO THIS DATE, VERMONT IS THE ONLY STATE, OF 27 SNOW-BELT STATES, TO OPERATE ITS SSTP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM COMES THROUGH THE STATE OF VERMONT, AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND IS FROM THE FOLLOWING THREE SOURCES: (1) THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF VERMONT SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATIONS; FIVE DOLLARS OF EACH REGISTRATION IS RETAINED BY THE STATE TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS, AND RECREATION TAKES 11,500 OFF THE TOP FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES; (2) THE RETURN OF FINES AND PENALTIES THAT VERMONT COLLECTS FROM CITATIONS ISSUED FOR SNOWMOBILE LAW AND RULE VIOLATIONS; (3) BASED ON A FORMULA DEFINED IN CHAPTER 20, TITLE 10, VERMONT STATUTES ANNOTATED, VAST RECEIVES AN AMOUNT ANNUALLY FROM THE TOTAL GAS TAX COLLECTED. STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS PROGRAM (SSTP) - THE STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS SYSTEM (SSTS) IS COMPRISED OF MORE THAN 6,000 MILES OF INTERCONNECTED SNOWMOBILE TRAILS THAT EXTEND FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER IN THE NORTH, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS BORDER IN THE SOUTH, AND FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BORDER IN THE EAST, TO THE NEW YORK BORDER IN THE WEST. THROUGH THE STATE OF VERMONT, VAST HAS BEEN AWARDED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE OF VERMONT FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SSTS. TO THIS DATE, VERMONT IS THE ONLY STATE, OF 27 SNOW-BELT STATES, TO OPERATE ITS SSTP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM COMES THROUGH THE STATE OF VERMONT, AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND IS FROM THE FOLLOWING THREE SOURCES: (1) THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF VERMONT SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATIONS; FIVE DOLLARS OF EACH REGISTRATION IS RETAINED BY THE STATE TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS, AND RECREATION TAKES 11,500 OFF THE TOP FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES; (2) THE RETURN OF FINES AND PENALTIES THAT VERMONT COLLECTS FROM CITATIONS ISSUED FOR SNOWMOBILE LAW AND RULE VIOLATIONS; (3) BASED ON A FORMULA DEFINED IN CHAPTER 20, TITLE 10, VERMONT STATUTES ANNOTATED, VAST RECEIVES AN AMOUNT ANNUALLY FROM THE TOTAL GAS TAX COLLECTED.
- $2.8 million spent. VAST GENERAL PROGRAM - THE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCE FOR THIS BUDGET IS THE SALE OF A TRAIL PASS (TRAILS MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT, OR "TMA") REQUIRED BY VERMONT LAW IN ORDER TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE ON THE SSTS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING. ONE SOURCE OF GRANT REVENUE IS THE NATIONAL RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM. VAST HAS OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, LIKE THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE AND THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES THAT BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUES. VAST SELLS ADVERTISING IN ITS MAGAZINE (PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES ANNUALLY) FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REVENUE. THIS PROGRAM IS BROKEN DOWN INTO THE FOLLOWING THREE DIVISIONS - (1) ADMINISTRATION - THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM PAYS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE BALANCE OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ALL SALARIES AND WAGES, AND FRINGE BENEFITS PAID TO VAST STAFF. THE MAJOR INCOME SOURCES ARE A PORTION OF THE TMA REVENUE RAISED ANNUALLY AND THE SALE OF ADVERTISING WITHIN SNOWMOBILE VERMONT AND THE VAST WEBSITE. SNOWMOBILE VERMONT IS THE PRIMARY TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP. THIS PROGRAM DIVISION IS ALSO REIMBURSED FOR EMPLOYEE WAGES AND BENEFITS THAT ARE EXPENDED ON BEHALF OF OTHER PROGRAMS OF VAST. (2) TRAILS - THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM IS, BY FAR, THE LARGEST. VAST RUNS GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL CLUBS THAT ARE PAID FROM THIS PORTION OF THE VAST BUDGET. GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS INCLUDE: TRAIL CONSTRUCTION; TRAIL MAINTENANCE; TRAIL SIGNING; TRAIL DEBRUSHING; EMERGENCY ALLOCATIONS; GROOMING EQUIPMENT; GROOMING OF THE STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS SYSTEM; ETC. THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM ALSO FUNDS VAST PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS. MAJOR FUNDING FOR THIS DIVISION COMES FROM THE SALE OF THE TMA, AS WELL AS GRANTS GENERATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. (3) SCHOLARSHIPS - ONE TENTH OF ONE PERCENT OF EVERY VAST TMA GOES TO HELP FUND THIS PROGRAM DIVISION. IN ADDITION, ON JULY 15, 2019 VAST OPENED AN ANNUITY WITH GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN MORE INTEREST ON BOARD DESIGNATED AMOUNTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. VAST IS NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH THE AFFINITY PROGRAM WITH LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY. CURRENTLY, VAST GIVES TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY. VAST GENERAL PROGRAM - THE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCE FOR THIS BUDGET IS THE SALE OF A TRAIL PASS (TRAILS MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT, OR "TMA") REQUIRED BY VERMONT LAW IN ORDER TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE ON THE SSTS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING. ONE SOURCE OF GRANT REVENUE IS THE NATIONAL RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM. VAST HAS OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, LIKE THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE AND THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES THAT BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUES. VAST SELLS ADVERTISING IN ITS MAGAZINE (PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES ANNUALLY) FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REVENUE. THIS PROGRAM IS BROKEN DOWN INTO THE FOLLOWING THREE DIVISIONS - (1) ADMINISTRATION - THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM PAYS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE BALANCE OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ALL SALARIES AND WAGES, AND FRINGE BENEFITS PAID TO VAST STAFF. THE MAJOR INCOME SOURCES ARE A PORTION OF THE TMA REVENUE RAISED ANNUALLY AND THE SALE OF ADVERTISING WITHIN SNOWMOBILE VERMONT AND THE VAST WEBSITE. SNOWMOBILE VERMONT IS THE PRIMARY TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP. THIS PROGRAM DIVISION IS ALSO REIMBURSED FOR EMPLOYEE WAGES AND BENEFITS THAT ARE EXPENDED ON BEHALF OF OTHER PROGRAMS OF VAST. (2) TRAILS - THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM IS, BY FAR, THE LARGEST. VAST RUNS GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL CLUBS THAT ARE PAID FROM THIS PORTION OF THE VAST BUDGET. GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS INCLUDE: TRAIL CONSTRUCTION; TRAIL MAINTENANCE; TRAIL SIGNING; TRAIL DEBRUSHING; EMERGENCY ALLOCATIONS; GROOMING EQUIPMENT; GROOMING OF THE STATEWIDE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS SYSTEM; ETC. THIS DIVISION OF THE PROGRAM ALSO FUNDS VAST PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS. MAJOR FUNDING FOR THIS DIVISION COMES FROM THE SALE OF THE TMA, AS WELL AS GRANTS GENERATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. (3) SCHOLARSHIPS - ONE TENTH OF ONE PERCENT OF EVERY VAST TMA GOES TO HELP FUND THIS PROGRAM DIVISION. IN ADDITION, ON JULY 15, 2019 VAST OPENED AN ANNUITY WITH GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN MORE INTEREST ON BOARD DESIGNATED AMOUNTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. VAST IS NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH THE AFFINITY PROGRAM WITH LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY. CURRENTLY, VAST GIVES TWO 2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 2025.
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 October 1993.
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.
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