The Vermont Community Foundation
The Vermont Community Foundation is a community foundation and philanthropic fundraising services organization established in 1986. Based in Middlebury, Vermont, it operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity serving the entire state of Vermont. The organization functions as a family of hundreds of donor-advised funds and foundations created by Vermonters to support charitable goals throughout the state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$370.6M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$46.3M
+27.2% YoY
Grant Count
728
-13.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+46.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Vermont Community Foundation inspires giving and brings people and resources together to make a difference in Vermont. The organization provides advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise that make it easy for people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love.
Core Focus: Since late 2017, closing the opportunity gap has been central to the Foundation's work. This gap leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead despite hard work. The Foundation aligns resources to support efforts that provide:
- Access to early care and learning
- Pathways to college and career training
- Support for youth and families
- Community and economic vitality
The Foundation's vision is Vermont at its best—where everyone has the opportunity to build a bright, secure future.
Program Areas: The Foundation supports effective philanthropy through grantmaking, investment management, and administrative support. Services include nonprofit endowment management, planned giving services, and support for five supporting organizations. The Foundation also operates donor-advised funds and manages nonprofit reserve and endowment funds.
Grantmaking
The Foundation distributes more than $15 million annually in grants and other investments in Vermont. In 2023, the Foundation had nearly $68 million at work in the community through grants, mission investments, and programmatic activity.
Grant Range
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How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves the entire state of Vermont, with primary grantmaking focus in Vermont. Secondary funding areas include New York and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $358,219,150
- Total Revenue: $52,792,202
- Total Expenses: $48,590,731
- Total Liabilities: $12,900,000
- Number of Employees: 54
Annual Giving: The Foundation distributes more than $15 million annually in grants and other investments in Vermont.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $370,629,507 | $358,219,150 | $316,750,116 |
| Revenue | $54,048,996 | $52,792,202 | $40,050,864 |
| Expenses | $58,789,272 | $48,590,731 | $39,751,190 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,458,755 | $6,578,294 | $7,026,228 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
25 open opportunities from The Vermont Community Foundation
Arts & Social Cohesion Grant
THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $12,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief Grant
THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Deerfield River Enhancement Fund Grant
THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $14,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Paran Recreations Inc ($6,200), Central Vermont Humane Society ($6,095), International Campaign for Tibet ($6,050).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RUPERT VILLAGE TRUST RUPERT, VT | RUPERT ARTS WORKSHOPS | $5,170 |
| STAMFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH STAMFORD, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,200 |
| OTTER CREEK AUDUBON SOCIETY MIDDLEBURY, VT | TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS OF THE OTTER CREEK AUDUBON SOCIETY. | $5,242 |
| CAMP TA-KUM-TA SOUTH HERO, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,250 |
| BARNARD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC BARNARD, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,250 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | FOR TUITION NEEDS OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S, SOA MFA STUDENTS | $5,250 |
| AWARE INC HARDWICK, VT | UNRESTRICTED | $5,250 |
| VERMONT GRANITE MUSEUM OF BARRE BARRE, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,250 |
| LYRIC THEATRE COMPANY SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,250 |
| CIRCUS SMIRKUS GREENSBORO, VT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Dan Smith
Staff:
- Morgan Vasseur, Marketing & Communications Associate (ext. 283)
- Lauren Curry, Special Project Director (joined January 2026)
Contact:
- Philanthropy Team: philanthropy@vermontcf.org or 802-388-3355 opt. 5
- Grants: grants@vermontcf.org or 802-388-3355 opt 6
- Media: Morgan Vasseur, mvasseur@vermontcf.org
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPENCER KNAPP | CHAIR (UNTIL 09/24) | 8 | — |
| MARK FOLEY JR | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| KRISTEN CARLSON | VICE CHAIR | 4 | — |
| DIMITRI GARDNER | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| ALLYSON LAACKMAN | TREASURER (UNTIL 06/24) | 4 | — |
| KATHRYN AUSTIN | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| LAURIE BEYRANEVAND | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| CINDY CHAR | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| TIM BRIGLIN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| JOHN VOGEL | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| NICOLE CURVIN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| TAMMY NEWMARK | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| LINDSAY DESLAURIERS | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| RICH HOLSCHUH | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ALEX MACLEAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ERIC MILLER | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ALEX HERNANDEZ | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ELIZABETH CATLIN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| DANIEL SMITH | CEO | 46 | $245,371 |
| FELIPE RIVERA | VP FOR STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS | 50 | $154,331 |
| STACIE FAGAN | VP FOR PHILANTHROPY | 48 | $136,248 |
| ANNA GRADY | VP FOR OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION | 48 | $155,999 |
| ERIK BURGE | CONTROLLER (UNTIL 07/24) | 40 | $74,577 |
| HOLLY MOREHOUSE | VP FOR GRANTS & COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | 48 | $139,858 |
| BARRY PIUS | VP FOR FINANCE | 48 | $165,305 |
| MARTHA TROMBLEY OAKES | SR. PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR | 40 | $121,288 |
| EMILYE PELOW CORBETT | SR. PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR | 40 | $113,031 |
| ELISABETH MARX | SR PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR | 40 | $108,921 |
| RUTH HENRY | SR PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR | 40 | $103,318 |
| JACOB GARDNER | DIRECTOR OF IT | 40 | $108,944 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced multiple grant rounds in 2025 and 2026:
Vermont Women's Fund announced 2025 grants
The Samara Fund Awards $131,250 in Grants to Support Vermont LGBTQ+ Led Projects,The Samara Fund awarded $131,250 in grants to support Vermont LGBTQ+ led projects, organizations, and scholarships
The Samara Fund Awards $131,250 in Grants to Support Vermont LGBTQ+ Led Projects,The Walter Cerf Community Fund announced $150,500 in grants supporting arts, education, historic preservation, and social services
The Walter Cerf Community Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation AnnouncesThe Spark Connecting Community Program announced $122,361 in grants
The Spark Connecting Community Program Announces $122,361 in Grants - VermontFunding availability announced for organizations and programs supporting community needs in 2026
Funding Available for Organizations and Programs Supporting ...The Foundation launched a new Applicant Dashboard through the Foundant Grants Lifecycle Manager, providing an updated interface for nonprofit applicants while maintaining existing account information and historical application data.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Vermont Community Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Vermont Community Foundation inspires giving and brings people and resources together to make a difference in Vermont. The organization provides advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise that make it easy for people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love. **Core Focus:** Since late 2017, closing the opportunity gap has been central to the Foundation's work. This gap leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead despite hard work…
How do I apply for a grant from The Vermont Community Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The Foundation distributes more than $15 million annually in grants and other investments in Vermont. In 2023, the Foundation had nearly $68 million at work in the community through grants, mission investments, and programmatic activity. **Grant Ranges:** Typical awards range from $5,007 to $7,951,562. **Active Grant Programs:** • Arts & Social Cohesion Grant • David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief Grant • Deerfield River Enhancement Fund Grant • VCF: Concert Arti…
Where does The Vermont Community Foundation make grants?
The Foundation serves the entire state of Vermont, with primary grantmaking focus in Vermont. Secondary funding areas include New York and Massachusetts.
What size grants does The Vermont Community Foundation award?
In 2024, The Vermont Community Foundation awarded 728 grants totaling $46.3M — an average of about $64K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Vermont Community Foundation's EIN?
The Vermont Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2712160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Vermont Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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