Vara Educational Foundation Inc
Vara Educational Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Woodstock, Vermont. Its 2024 filing describes scholarships for eligible recipients to pay tuition and related expenses at ski academies and ski clubs.
Vara Educational Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Vara Educational Foundation Inc gave $44K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Vermont. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,550
- -3.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- +14.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,405
- -15.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $665,739
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Vermont (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Vara Educational Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing directs applicants to contact the VARA Scholarship Committee and see the application on the VARA website. It states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists October 15. That stated deadline is past; it does not confirm an open application cycle.
- Deadline
- The filing lists October 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Vara Scholarship Committee
Mailing address: PO Box 774, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: (802) 236-4695
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Vara Educational Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Burke Mountain Academy ($1K). Together the top 8 received $8K.
Organizations only. It also paid 23 grants to individuals ($35,350), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 126 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Vermont, 22% to New Hampshire, and 8% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
Cities
How Vara Educational Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 81% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 140% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2021) to $45K (2024). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $44K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 23 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $35,350 |
| Burke Mountain Academy East Burke, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Cochrans Ski Club Richmond, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Killington Ski Club Killington, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Middlebury Ski Club Middlebury, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Pico Ski Club Rutland, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Smugglers Notch Ski Club Jeffersonville, VT | Financial Assistance | $1,150 |
| Okemo Mountain School Ludlow, VT | Financial Assistance | $650 |
| Stratton Winter Sports Club Stratton Mountain, VT | Financial Assistance | $650 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $665,739 | $244,723 | $196,200 | $43,550 | 31 | $43,550 | $35,771 | $31,172 |
| 2024 | $614,858 | $248,203 | $197,984 | $45,000 | 27 | $45,000 | — | $28,441 |
| 2023 | $532,401 | $78,903 | $32,570 | $29,750 | 31 | $29,750 | $44,583 | $11,721 |
| 2022 | $194,548 | $40,296 | $27,196 | $24,050 | 21 | $24,050 | $6,900 | $12,580 |
| 2021 | $181,928 | $18,168 | $19,084 | $16,000 | 16 | — | $4,584 | $10,868 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vara Educational Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $31K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable activity is awarding scholarships for tuition and related expenses at ski academies and ski clubs. Its 2025 grants included financial assistance and travel awards to individual recipients, as well as financial assistance to ski clubs and ski schools.
The supported organizations describe a range of ski-related activities. Cochrans Ski Club says it provides affordable alpine ski race instruction to area youth. Burke Mountain Academy says it helps ski racers pursue academic and athletic potential. An individual recipient Valley School describes combining ski racing with liberal arts education. Killington Ski Club says it educates members about winter sports and supports competitive sports programs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $43,550. Grants ranged from $500 to $3,350, with a median of $1,000. The largest listed awards included $3,350 to an individual recipient in New York; $3,000 awards to individual recipients in Vermont and New Hampshire; and $1,150 each to Burke Mountain Academy, Cochrans Ski Club, an individual recipient Valley School, Killington Ski Club, and Middlebury Ski Club.
Deadline: The filing lists October 15. That stated deadline is past; it does not confirm an open application cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Taylor Mikell as president, Andrew McNealus as vice president, and Mariel Meringolo as treasurer. It also lists Ryan Sheredy, Marty Bak, Jere Brophy, Abby Copeland, Peter Cornish, Lori McClallen, and Matt McKenna as board members.
Vara Educational Foundation Inc is led by Taylor Mikell, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Taylor Mikell
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Andrew McNealus
Vice President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Mariel Meringolo
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Ryan Sheredy
Boardmember
Secretary → Boardmember, 2025
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Abby Copeland
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Claire Kershko
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Derek McClallen
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Diann Roffe
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jere Brophy
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Lori McClallen
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Marty Bak
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Matt McKenna
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Peter Cornish
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Peter Stokloza
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Tom Parks
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Tracy Keller
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Lori Furrer (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Brian Sherras (2021) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Vara Educational Foundation Inc
How much does Vara Educational Foundation Inc give each year?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc gave $44K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $45K across 27 grants.
What is Vara Educational Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,405, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Vara Educational Foundation Inc give grants?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc gives mostly in Vermont: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Hampshire (22%) and New York (8%).
Does Vara Educational Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Vara Educational Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Assistance" (29 grants).
Who are Vara Educational Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Burke Mountain Academy ($1,150), Cochrans Ski Club ($1,150) and Killington Ski Club ($1,150), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 23 grants to individuals ($35,350), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vara Educational Foundation Inc?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc reported $666K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $31K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Vara Educational Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable activity is awarding scholarships for tuition and related expenses at ski academies and ski clubs. Its 2025 grants included financial assistance and travel awards to individual recipients, as well as financial assistance to ski clubs and ski schools. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vara Educational Foundation Inc?
The 2024 filing directs applicants to contact the VARA Scholarship Committee and see the application on the VARA website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Vara Educational Foundation Inc's EIN?
Vara Educational Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7336991. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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