Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council
Building Bright Futures (BBF) is a public charity based in Williston, Vermont. It works to improve the well-being of Vermont’s children and families and is charged with advising the Governor, Administration, and Legislature on the well-being of children from the prenatal period to age 8 and their families.
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council at a glance
In short: Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council gave $2.7M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $48K), mostly in Vermont. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,671,645
- +558.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +250.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $47,708
- +88.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,113
- Total assets
- $2,538,054
- +62.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Vermont (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Blair Park Rd Suite 160, Williston, VT 05495
Phone: (802) 876-5010
Website: https://buildingbrightfutures.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Seed & Sew ($194K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 72 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BBF’s grantmaking is focused on Vermont: all reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Vermont. VECF describes its work as supporting Vermont communities, and its application lists Vermont counties and a statewide option.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council gives
- 21% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $406K (2024) to $2.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Seed & Sew Burlington, VT | Sew & Seed S.E.E.D | $194,256 |
| Northwestern Medical Center St Albans, VT | Increase Access | $175,719 |
| The Janet S Munt Family Room Burlington, VT | Engage Families | $154,245 |
| Myers Prouty Children's Campuses Shaftsbury, VT | MPCC Health Team | $117,780 |
| Steps to End Domestic Violence Burlington, VT | Early Intervention | $96,377 |
| LIL Sunshine Child Care Center Randolph, VT | Infant-Toddlr Setup | $83,370 |
| Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Bennington, VT | The Learning Tree | $80,000 |
| Winston Prouty Center Brattleboro, VT | Increase Capacity | $79,062 |
| Perkinsville Preschool & Childcare Perkinsville, VT | Childcare Expansion | $75,194 |
| Mount Mansfield Unified School Dist Jericho, VT | Emtss and UDL | $67,233 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,538,054 | $5,433,103 | $5,163,694 | $2,671,645 | 56 | $8,994 |
| 2024 | $1,557,842 | $2,873,789 | $2,410,454 | $405,615 | 16 | $3,300 |
| 2023 | $676,711 | $1,300,995 | $1,318,608 | — | — | $352 |
| 2022 | $725,468 | $1,484,620 | $1,297,508 | — | — | $1,000 |
| 2021 | $483,641 | $1,261,240 | $1,007,430 | — | — | $41 |
| 2020 | $258,878 | $942,640 | $1,140,513 | — | — | $50 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
BBF’s mission is to improve the well-being of children and families in Vermont by using evidence to inform policy and bringing voices together to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve. Its work includes supporting 12 Regional Councils, convening partners around Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan, and using data to inform policy.
VECF supports projects that benefit children from the prenatal period to age 8, their families, and Vermont communities. The 2026 grant round prioritizes systems-level improvements to food security and transportation infrastructure. BBF also states that it prioritizes projects addressing barriers faced by communities most impacted by economic insecurity and advancing equity, belonging, and justice.
The 2025 grantee list illustrates the range of organizations BBF supports. For example, Northwestern Medical Center describes its mission as providing exceptional healthcare for its community; Lil Sunshine Child Care Center describes providing care for young children and their families; and Steps to End Domestic Violence describes helping people affected by domestic abuse transition to a safe, independent life.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, BBF reported 56 grants totaling $2,671,645. Grants ranged from $5,269 to $194,256, with a median of $40,113. In 2024, it reported 16 grants totaling $405,615. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 56 grants totaling $2.7 million.
Among the largest reported grants in 2025 were $194,256 to SEED & SEW for “SEW & SEED S.E.E.D”; $175,719 to Northwestern Medical Center for “INCREASE ACCESS”; $154,245 to The Janet S Munt Family Room for “ENGAGE FAMILIES”; and $117,780 to Myers Prouty Children’s Campuses for “MPCC HEALTH TEAM.”
For its spring 2026 VECF round, BBF reported awarding $280,000 to 13 Vermont organizations for projects to strengthen food security and transportation infrastructure. The round received 62 applications, with total requests exceeding $1.3 million. The 2026 application preview lists request amounts of $10,000–$25,000 and asks applicants to describe their organizations and the proposed project, including whether it serves children from the prenatal period to age 8 and their families. The VECF page also describes approximately $200,000 for one-year projects starting in May 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Morgan Crossman as Executive Director and Beth Truzansky as Deputy Director. It lists Ilisa Stahlberg and Flor Diaz Smith as co-chairs; Christy Swenson as secretary; Becca Webb as treasurer; and Renee Kelly, Janet McLaughlin, Jessica Vintinner, and Cheryle Wilcox as council members.
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's 2025 filing lists 28 officers; 2 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Morgan Crossman
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$56K (2020) → $128K (2025)
Beth Truzansky
Deputy Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024) → $120K (2025)
Cheryle Wilcox
Council Member
Co-Chair → Council Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christy Swenson
Secretary
Council Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Flor Diaz Smith
Co-Chair
Council Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ilisa Stahlberg
Co-Chair
Council Member → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Brumsted
Council Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Kelly
Council Member
Secretary → Council Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eddie Gale
Council Meme
Council Member → Council Meme, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becca Webb
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dimitri Garder
Council Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet McLaughlin
Council Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kendal Smith Non-Voting
Council Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Hardy
Council Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Vintinner
Council Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Libby Daghlian
Council Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharron Harrington
Council Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Xusana Davis
Council Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amber Hewson
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlie Thibault Non-Voting
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Lang-Godin
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Lindley Mitchell
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Hartswick MD
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica McLaughlin
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kiona Baez Heath
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Ogelby
Council Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miranda Gray Non-Voting
Council Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zoie Saunders
Council Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (31)
- Former: Meg Porcella (2024) — Council Member
- Former: Amy Johnson (2020–2023) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2023
- Former: Kate Rogers (2020–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Kenneth Jones (2020–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Alexis Duquette (2021–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Ashley Miller (2021–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Mike McRaith (2021–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Miranda Gray (2021–2023) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2023
- Former: Paul Dragon (2021–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Heather Wilcoxon (2022–2023) — Council Member
- Former: Sarah Truckle (2022–2023) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2023
- Former: Aryka Radke Non-Voting (2023) — Council Member
- Former: Carol Lang Godin (2023) — Council Member
- Former: Heather Bouchey (2023) — Council Member
- Former: Shayla Livingston (2023) — Council Member
- Former: Aly Richards (2020–2022) — Council Member · Filing note: Until February 2022
- Former: Chloe Leary (2020–2022) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2022
- Former: Emily Merrill (2020–2022) — Council Member · Filing note: Until January 2022
- Former: Wendy Trafton (2021–2022) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2022
- Former: Rebecca Webb (2021) — Council Member
- Former: Auburn Watersong (2020) — Council Member
- Former: David Young (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2020
- Former: Julie Cadwallader-Staub (2020) — Council Member
- Former: Katie Watts (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until December 2019
- Former: Kim Keiser (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Nicole Grenier (2020) — Council Member
- Former: Reeva Murphy (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until April 2020
- Former: Richard Westman (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until March 2020
- Former: Sara Barry (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until decemer 2019
- Former: Steven Berbeco (2020) — Council Member
- Former: Sue Ceglowski (2020) — Council Member · Filing note: Until December 2019
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $128K, to Morgan Crossman (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council
How much does Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council give each year?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council gave $2.7M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $406K across 16 grants.
What is Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's typical grant size?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's median grant in 2025 was $40,113, and its average grant was $47,708, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council give grants?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council gives mostly in Vermont: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (13 grants), Rutland, VT (4 grants), Montpelier, VT (4 grants) and St Johnsbury, VT (2 grants).
Does Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 56 grants with a stated purpose on Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Increase Access" (6 grants) and "Workforce Dev." (3 grants).
Who are Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's largest grantees?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's largest 2025 grantees include Seed & Sew ($194,256), Northwestern Medical Center ($175,719) and The Janet S Munt Family Room ($154,245), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.
What does Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council fund?
BBF’s mission is to improve the well-being of children and families in Vermont by using evidence to inform policy and bringing voices together to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check buildingbrightfutures.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's EIN?
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2392293. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc
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George W Mergens Foundation
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Vermont Childrens Trust Foundation
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The Kelsey Trust
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The Kelsey Trust funds organizations serving people and protecting the natural environment in the Lake Champlain Basin, primarily in Vermont and also in New York and Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $12,500, with a median of $7,750. It accepts unsolicited requests through a letter-of-interest process.
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/building-bright-futures-state-advisory-council-morg_fa69afdbb6414550a7f225c5855a0488
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_452392293_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/building-bright-futures-state-advisory-council-morg_fa69afdbb6414550a7f225c5855a0488},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council down — hundreds of funders to go?