Vermont Community Garden Network Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to cultivate well-being by helping people of all ages access resources to grow food, build confidence and connect with each other. Our goals are to increase access to gardening resources, develop outreach and education programs to cultivate and sustain gardens.
- Income
- $348,052
- Spending
- $332,418
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $62,877, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
10 of 10Gave 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- Our organization continued our partnerships with affordable housing sites in 2025; expanding the program to reach an estimated 186 gardeners in 24 different housing communities in Vermont. This program is allowing us to provide resources and knowledge for individuals and families facing food insecurity. Through our onsite training and guidance,folks are able to harvest produce where they live. We see further reward from this work in seeing neighbors strengthen their relationships with each other as well as their own self confidence.
- In 2025 we continued to offer a robust curriculum of garden and nutrition programs to a variety of demographics in Vermont. We have been able to reach seniors, new Americans, your families and more with hands on gardening programs as well as class room style workshops. Whether it be a series on preserving your harvest for winter months, or how to combat some of natures toughest garden pests, we have you covered! Our collective garden, Seedsong has demonstrated increased efficiencies over traditional community gardening and we plan to expand to additional locations. Further details on this and all of our work can be found in our Annual Report, found on our website.
- Our Veducation Van has given us the ability to expand our programing in 2024 to create an additional focus on the health benefits to our work. We were able to travel to 45 sites statewide and engage with 1420 youths, adults and seniors through our mobile classroom nutrition workshops. This curriculum includes cooking via our solar induction hotplate, using our garden harvests for up to 20 students at a time. Youths learn where their food comes from.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 November 2001.
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.