Vermont Law School
We are committed to developing a generation of leaders who use the power of the law to make a difference in our communities and the world. Vermont Law and Graduate School's mission statement is: "To educate students in a diverse community that fosters personal growth and that enables them to attain outstanding professional skills and high ethical values with which to serve as lawyers and environmental and other professionals in an increasingly technological and interdependent global society." Our motto is "law for the community and the world."
Vermont Law School at a glance
In short: Vermont Law School gave $1.6M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $265K), top state Vermont. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,592,454
- +51.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $265,409
- +51.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $95,922
- Total assets
- $56,256,364
- +14.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Vermont (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Vermont Law School funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Vermont ($745K). Together the top 6 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 25 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Vermont Law School gives
- Giving grew 189% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2019) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont Burlington, VT | To be part of the cooperative agreemnt with DOJ to establish a Center for Restorative Justice at VLS - $238,999To lead a network of engaged researchers and foster innovation to further the impact of restorative justice education and practice. - $469,472To serve as a partner instituiton to support and conduct reserch to advance restorative justice and address social inequities. - $36,205 | $744,676 |
| Univeristy of San Diego San Diego, CA | To collaborate to manage the National Center on Restorative Justice. - $372,288To develop a model undergraduate certificate in RJ - $226,886 | $599,174 |
| Center For Justice Innovation New York, NY | Center for Justice Innovation (CJI) will collaborate with VLGS NCRJ to develop and deliver intensive restorative justice training and technical assistance (TTA). | $146,019 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College Cambridge, MA | To Identify best practices for municipal composting and food waste reduction. | $45,825 |
| National Farm To School Network San Francisco, CA | To update handbook including state by state summaries of every enacted, defeated or still pending farm to school bill. | $43,480 |
| Philadelphia Leadership Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Philadelphia Leadership Foundation (PLF) is the fiscal sponsor for Healing Communities PA (HCPA). This subaward allows HCPA to train 3 cohorts of 30 community-based facilitators and hire 2 full time case coordinators to fully resolve over 200 felony cases referred by the District Attorneys office | $13,280 |
Ready to take the next step with Vermont Law School?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,256,364 | $54,384,992 | $47,999,670 | $1,592,454 | 6 | $531,762 |
| 2024 | $49,119,314 | $41,706,037 | $45,736,735 | $1,048,133 | 6 | $690,805 |
| 2023 | $52,501,463 | $37,340,886 | $42,261,071 | $873,765 | 2 | $373,822 |
| 2022 | $54,465,727 | $42,728,367 | $38,003,754 | $550,500 | 5 | $310,599 |
| 2021 | $51,359,031 | $38,901,463 | $34,502,853 | $315,653 | 6 | $1,257,695 |
| 2020 | $48,711,455 | $36,537,054 | $34,343,469 | $250,766 | 5 | $473,565 |
| 2019 | $44,659,406 | $35,074,956 | $32,970,218 | $145,142 | 5 | $837,590 |
About Vermont Law School
Based on IRS filings
Vermont Law School is a public charity focused on Education, based in South Royalton, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $56.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $1.6M. Net investment income was $532K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Vermont Law School is led by Rodney Smolla, President on every filing since 2023; 11 of 38 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rodney Smolla
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$144K (2023) → $301K (2025)
Glenn Berger
Chair
Secretary → Chair, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Johnson
Director of Lwp & Professor of Law
Professor of Law → Director of Lwp & Professor of Law, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$135K (2019) → $158K (2025)
Laurie Beyranevand
Director of Cafs & Professor of Law
Director, Cafs & Professor of Law → Director of Cafs & Professor of Law, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$163K (2024) → $157K (2025)
Caryn Clayman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Sciarrotta
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marion McCollom Hampton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Johnson
Alumni Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Ball Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles E DiLeva
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob B Perkinson
Trustee
Past Trustee → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J Patrick Kennedy
Alumni Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly Groschner
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Montone
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Westerman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kendra Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Renna
Student Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phoebe Cykosky
Student Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Lacoste
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fernado Sotelino
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaclyn Brilling
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen McAndrew
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Reynolds
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer K Rushlow
Dean of School for the Environment
Dean, Professor of Law & Director → Dean & School for Environment, 2024
Dean & School for Environment → Dean of School for the Environment, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$128K (2020) → $152K (2025)
Mary-Beth McCormack
Dean of Law School
Dean & Former Interim President → Law School Dean, 2024
Law School Dean → Dean of Law School, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$133K (2020) → $206K (2025)
Nathaniel Hilber
Past Vice President Finance
Vice President Finance & CFO → Past Vice President Finance, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$22K (2024) → $136K (2025)
Daniel Bromberg
Dean of Graduate School
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$190K (2025)
Dave Celone
Vice President of Oard
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$174K (2025)
Kimberly Harris
Vice President of People & Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$167K (2025)
Lisa Lance
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$177K (2025)
Rob Webber
Interim CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$6K (2025)
Amy Davenport
Past Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Constance Neary
Vice Chair
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Miller
Past Trustee
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Cullen
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
JB Kittredge
Past Trustee
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica L Olson
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Pfenning
Past Trustee
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (43)
- Former: Brian Dunkiel (2019–2024) — Past Trustee
- Former: Catherine MacKenzie (2019–2024) — Past Trustee
- Former: Lorraine Atwood (2019–2024) — Past Vice President Finance
- Former: Sheppard Guryan (2019–2024) — Past Secretary
- Former: Gregory Allen Johnson (2020–2024) — Professor of Law
- Former: Jessica Dunning (2024) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Octavius Henderson (2024) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Robert Sommo (2024) — Past Vice President, Enrollment & Marketing
- Former: Janice Forgays (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin Jones (2021–2023) — Professor of Energy Technology & Director
- Former: Olaseni A Bello Jr. (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Chase Ford (2022–2023) — Student Trustee
- Former: James Brien (2022–2023) — Student Trustee
- Former: Delcianna Winders (2023) — Professor of Law & Director
- Former: Stephanie Clark (2023) — Professor of Law & Director
- Former: Karis North (2019–2022) — Past Alumni Trustee
- Former: Richard Ayres (2019–2022) — Past Trustee
- Former: Erika Gerstengerger (2020–2022) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Fito Andre (2020–2022) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: John D Miller Jr. (2020–2022) — Vice President Enrollment Management
- Former: Joseph C Brennan (2020–2022) — Vice Dean for Students
- Former: Brooke F Herndon (2022) — Past Vice President Office Alumni Relations & Development
- Former: Jonathan Kaufelt (2019–2021) — Past Trustee
- Former: Kevin Mendik (2019–2021) — Past Treasurer
- Former: Melissa Scanlan (2019–2021) — Professor of Law Visitorship
- Former: Thomas McHenry (2019–2021) — Past President & Dean
- Former: Colleen Connor (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Harold Jones (2019–2020) — Past Trustee
- Former: Joanne Jordan (2019–2020) — Past Alumni Trustee
- Former: Lewis Grove (2019–2020) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Michael Hill (2019–2020) — Past Trustee
- Former: Robert Fiske (2019–2020) — Past Trustee
- Former: Arielle King (2020) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Angela Sicker (2019) — Past Student Trustee
- Former: Anne Debevoise Ostby (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Beth McCormack (2019) — Vice Dean for Students
- Former: Byron Kalogerou (2019) — Past Trustee
- Former: Edna Baugh (2019) — Past Trustee
- Former: Jennifer Leech (2019) — Student Trustee
- Former: Leslie Cadwell (2019) — Past Trustee
- Former: Pamela Pescosolido (2019) — Past Trustee
- Former: Sean Nolon (2019) — Vice Dean for Faculty
- Former: Stephanie Willbanks (2019) — Vice Dean for Faculty
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 $301K, to Rodney Smolla (President). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Vermont Law School
How much does Vermont Law School give each year?
Vermont Law School gave $1.6M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 6 grants.
What is Vermont Law School's typical grant size?
Vermont Law School's median grant in 2025 was $95,922, and its average grant was $265,409, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Vermont Law School give grants?
Vermont Law School's top state is Vermont, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (40%) and New York (9%).
Does Vermont Law School give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Vermont Law School's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Vermont Law School's largest grantees?
Vermont Law School's largest 2025 grantees include University of Vermont ($744,676), Univeristy of San Diego ($599,174) and Center For Justice Innovation ($146,019), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vermont Law School?
Vermont Law School reported $56.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $54.4M.
What is Vermont Law School?
Vermont Law School is a public charity focused on Education, based in South Royalton, VT. It holds $56.3M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Vermont Law School's EIN?
Vermont Law School's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7251952. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 16, 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 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Vermont Law School funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vermont Law School's focus areas in our free grants database
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Vermont Law School down — hundreds of funders to go?