Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc
The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is a public charity based in Waitsfield, Vermont. Formed in 1980, it supports Vermont’s 14 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs) and implements statewide programs related to conservation and natural resource management.
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc at a glance
In short: Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc gave $334K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in Vermont. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $334,163
- -12.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,869
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,190
- Total assets
- $1,033,436
- -8.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (6 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 566, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Phone: (802) 496-5162
Website: https://vacd.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Franklin County NRCD ($90K). Together the top 10 received $306K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 82 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Vermont. VACD’s stated mission and programs address natural-resource conservation in Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 14 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $24K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2019) to $381K (2024). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $334K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County NRCD St Albans, VT | Conservation Project | $89,745 |
| Caledonia County NRCD St Johnsbury, VT | Conservation Project | $54,875 |
| Bennington NRCD Rutland, VT | Conservation Project | $40,485 |
| Orleans County NRCD Newport, VT | Nat. Resources Prot. | $27,800 |
| Winooski NRCD Berlin, VT | Conservation Project | $20,482 |
| Town of Weathersfield 03-6000745 Ascutney, VT | Fire Protection | $20,000 |
| Essex County NRCD Brunswick, VT | Conservation Project | $15,380 |
| Bakersfield VFD Bakersfield, VT | Fire Protection | $15,000 |
| Mount Holly FD Mount Holly, VT | Fire Protection | $12,729 |
| Hartford VFA White River Junction, VT | Fire Protection | $10,000 |
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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 | $1,033,436 | $2,424,877 | $2,422,717 | $334,163 | 14 | $141 |
| 2024 | $1,128,656 | $1,945,919 | $1,964,745 | $380,520 | 16 | $14 |
| 2023 | $910,536 | $1,841,491 | $1,857,513 | $332,983 | 15 | $51 |
| 2022 | $928,313 | $2,011,047 | $1,697,664 | $262,376 | 21 | $177 |
| 2021 | $1,088,345 | $1,502,841 | $1,588,683 | $185,805 | 16 | $699 |
| 2020 | $832,147 | $1,505,641 | $1,491,579 | $178,985 | 13 | $577 |
| 2019 | $767,836 | $1,410,920 | $1,371,515 | $135,173 | 16 | $527 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
VACD’s stated mission is to promote conservation of Vermont’s soil, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources by supporting the state’s 14 NRCDs and implementing statewide programs. Its website describes district work that includes conservation planning and technical assistance, nutrient management planning, small-farm outreach, stormwater planning, and locally led conservation.
The 2025 filing-year grants included conservation and natural-resource-protection projects, as well as grants designated for fire protection. One recipient, Corinth Fire Department, describes its own mission as providing fire protection to the Town of Corinth and mutual aid to surrounding communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, VACD reported 14 grants totaling $334,163. Grant amounts ranged from $5,069 to $89,745, with a median of $15,190. The largest grants included $89,745 to Franklin County NRCD, $54,875 to Caledonia County NRCD, $40,485 to Bennington NRCD, and $27,800 to Orleans County NRCD. Each was designated for a conservation project or natural-resource protection.
Other reported grants included $20,000 to the Town of Weathersfield for fire protection, $15,000 to Bakersfield VFD for fire protection, and $9,968 to Corinth Fire Department for fire protection. VACD states in its 2024 filing that it monitors subgrant funds through signed agreements, technical and financial reports, and site visits.
The website describes a 2025 Clean Water Project Development grant opportunity administered by the State Natural Resources Conservation Council. Its application deadline was November 28, 2025, and projects were to be completed by February 1, 2027; this was a past cycle as of September 29, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Deborah Arace as executive director; Linda Corse as president; and Vicky Drew as treasurer. Directors listed include Jeannie Alexander, Chris Von Alt, Katy Crumley, Gillian D’Arcierno, Nancy Everhart, Sarah Ford, and Alvina Harvey. VACD’s website says its board consists of one member from each of Vermont’s 14 NRCDs.
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc is led by Deborah Arace, Executive Director Ou since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 22 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Deborah Arace
Executive Director Ou
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2021
Executive Di → Executive Director Ou, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$74K (2019) → $112K (2025)
Linda Corse
President
Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alvina Harvey
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Noel
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Von Alt
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Everhart
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Niko Horster
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Ford
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy White
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Shelvey
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Manner
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Didi Pershouse
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeannie Alexander
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katy Crumley
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Robinson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Willie Nickerson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Urie
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gillian D'arcierno
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richmond Hopkins
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicky Drew
Treasurer
Vice President → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Medwid
Vice President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Monroe
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Jonathan Chamberlin (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Bridget Bowen (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Green (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Timothy Buzzell (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Donald Markie (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brian Vargo (2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Bennett (2023) — Director
- Former: Roger Rainville (2023) — Director
- Former: Allen Hall (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles Davis (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: James Henderson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Lawrence Kasden (2019–2022) — Vice President
- Former: William Manning (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Moser-Duquette (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $112K, to Deborah Arace (Ex. DIR. (Ou).
Frequently asked questions about Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc
How much does Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc give each year?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc gave $334K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $381K across 16 grants.
What is Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's typical grant size?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,190, and its average grant was $23,869, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc give grants?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc gives mostly in Vermont: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Fire Protection" (6 grants) and "Conservation Project" (5 grants).
Who are Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's largest grantees?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Franklin County NRCD ($89,745), Caledonia County NRCD ($54,875) and Bennington NRCD ($40,485), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
What does Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc fund?
VACD’s stated mission is to promote conservation of Vermont’s soil, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources by supporting the state’s 14 NRCDs and implementing statewide programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check vacd.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's EIN?
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0237066. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/vermont-association-of-conservation-districts-inc-morg_5c30a9c68f63451bbff8fd92df2fdb1e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_030237066_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/vermont-association-of-conservation-districts-inc-morg_5c30a9c68f63451bbff8fd92df2fdb1e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Vermont Association of Conservation Districts Inc'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.
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