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Nonprofiteer
← VERMONT LAND TRUST INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by VERMONT LAND TRUST INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$20,570,203
Total expenses
$18,656,172
Contributions and grants received
$17,987,510
Grants paid
$147,596
Program service revenue
$663,684
Investment income
$1,599,744
Other revenue
$319,265
Total assets, end of year
$64,850,972
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,325,153
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$56,525,819
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$16,264,527
Management and general expenses
$1,862,354
Fundraising expenses
$529,291
Program service expenses (Part III)
$16,264,527

Program services were 87.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $9,124,234

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $8,863,276

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,504,656

  • 2a · Program service revenue: VT FOREST CARBON INCOME

    total $658,411 · related or exempt $658,411

  • 2b · Program service revenue: LAND AND TIMBER INCOME

    total $5,273 · related or exempt $5,273

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,018,619 · excluded $1,018,619

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $151,234

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $151,234

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $151,234 · excluded $151,234

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $2,949,833 · other assets $1,531,002

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $2,226,142 · other assets $1,673,568

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $723,691 · other assets -$142,566

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $581,125 · related or exempt -$142,566 · excluded $723,691

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $147,731 · related or exempt $147,731

  • 11b · Other revenue: STEWARDSHIP INCOME

    total $20,240 · related or exempt $20,240

  • 11c · Other revenue: MERCHANDISE SALES

    total $60 · related or exempt $60

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $168,031

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $139,096 · program services $139,096

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $8,500 · program services $8,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $645,945 · program services $278,792 · management and general $197,956 · fundraising $169,197

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,270,023 · program services $2,900,799 · management and general $288,376 · fundraising $80,848

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $83,174 · program services $73,290 · management and general $7,771 · fundraising $2,113

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $761,366 · program services $641,183 · management and general $80,229 · fundraising $39,954

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $346,398 · program services $283,351 · management and general $41,791 · fundraising $21,256

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $60,254 · program services $60,153 · management and general $101

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $170,549 · program services $112,332 · management and general $57,312 · fundraising $905

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $61,538 · fundraising $61,538

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $338,273 · program services $198,004 · management and general $95,355 · fundraising $44,914

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,023,210 · program services $673,934 · management and general $343,848 · fundraising $5,428

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $48,400 · program services $28,331 · management and general $13,643 · fundraising $6,426

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $285,102 · program services $217,430 · management and general $46,460 · fundraising $21,212

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $142,078 · program services $83,164 · management and general $40,050 · fundraising $18,864

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $382,034 · program services $227,212 · management and general $147,248 · fundraising $7,574

  • 17 · Travel

    total $127,016 · program services $90,414 · management and general $30,698 · fundraising $5,904

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $18,909 · program services $11,068 · management and general $5,330 · fundraising $2,511

  • 20 · Interest

    total $88,477 · program services $10,975 · management and general $77,502

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $260,271 · program services $78,081 · management and general $182,190

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $105,075 · program services $17,520 · management and general $87,555

  • 24a · Other expenses: DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

    total $8,489,196 · program services $8,489,196

  • 24b · Other expenses: CARBON OFFSET

    total $655,830 · program services $655,830

  • 24c · Other expenses: PROJECT FEASIBILITY

    total $339,151 · program services $338,380 · management and general $771

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE

    total $296,957 · program services $173,819 · management and general $83,709 · fundraising $39,429

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $509,350 · program services $473,673 · management and general $34,459 · fundraising $1,218

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $642,446 · end of year $292,952

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $10,364,112 · end of year $13,756,876

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,515,014 · end of year $1,304,283

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $2,645 · end of year $410,268

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $32,105 · end of year $15,781

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $107,601 · end of year $105,388

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $76,077 · end of year $156,267

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $14,716,512

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $3,084,213

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $11,611,054 · end of year $11,632,299

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,968,597 · end of year $15,142,147

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $986,509 · end of year $1,071,306

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $655,190 · end of year $490,000

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $19,107,328 · end of year $20,473,405

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $503,006 · end of year $915,011

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $2,077,105 · end of year $2,139,602

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $2,943 · end of year $2,943

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $5,615,133 · end of year $4,554,093

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,357,417 · end of year $713,504

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $18,233,659 · end of year $22,322,438

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $34,279,415 · end of year $34,203,381

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

ROOTED IN VERMONT SINCE 1977, THE VERMONT LAND TRUST UNITES LAND AND LIVES FOR THE ENDURING BENEFIT OF PEOPLE AND THE PLACE WE SHARE. WE HELP PEOPLE PROTECT, CARE FOR, AND CONNECT TO LAND. THIS INCLUDES THE FARMS, FORESTS, NATURAL AREAS, AND COMMUNITY SPACES THAT DEFINE US.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO CONSERVE LAND FOR THE FUTURE OF VERMONT.

  • CONSERVATIONTHE VERMONT LAND TRUST IS A MEMBER-SUPPORTED LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION THAT HAS WORKED WITH FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, FARMERS, AND FORESTLAND OWNERS SINCE 1977 TO CONSERVE OVER 2,000 PARCELS OF LAND IMPORTANT TO VERMONTERS. VLT HAS PERMANENTLY CONSERVED MORE THAN 650,000 ACRES. THIS LAND INCLUDES MORE THAN 1,100 WORKING FARMS, MORE THAN 410,000 ACRES OF PRODUCTIVE FORESTLAND, AND NUMEROUS PARCELS OF COMMUNITY LANDS. OUR STAFF CHOOSES INITIATIVES AND WEIGHS INVESTMENTS OF RESOURCES IN OUR EFFORT TO BEST SERVE CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO VERMONT. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: PROTECTING AND STEWARDING FARMS, FORESTS, COMMUNITY LANDS, AND ASSOCIATED IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS. PROTECTING AND STEWARDING LAND THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND ECOLOGICAL VITALITY OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. PROTECTING AND STEWARDING LAND THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT IS BOTH AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO USE IT. IMPROVING THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY INVIGORATING FARMS, LAUNCHING NEW BUSINESSES, MAINTAINING SCENIC VISTAS, PROVIDING LOCAL FOOD, ENCOURAGING RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND FOSTERING A RENEWED SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $12,618,043 · Grants $147,596

  • STEWARDSHIPTHE VERMONT LAND TRUST ACCEPTS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SAFEGUARD AND UPHOLD, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL VERMONTERS, THE LEGAL AGREEMENT SIGNED VOLUNTARILY BY THE LANDOWNER. WE CALL THIS WORK STEWARDSHIP. OUR STEWARDSHIP ROLE MEANS THAT WE MONITOR ALL OUR CONSERVED PROPERTIES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND MEET WITH ALMOST 90% OF THE OWNERS OF CONSERVED LAND. THESE EXPERIENCES, VISITING THE LAND AND CREATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LANDOWNERS, ARE CORE TO CREATING BALANCED CARE FOR THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY OF CONSERVED PROPERTIES.

    Expenses $2,161,640 · Revenue $5,273

  • THE BREWSTER UPLANDS CONSERVATION TRUST IS AN ENTITY THAT SUPPORTS THE MANAGEMENT OF 1,000+ ACRES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, FARMING AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

    Expenses $422,542

  • ATLAS TIMBERLANDS PROJECTTHE ATLAS TIMBERLANDS PROJECT IS A JOINT UNDERTAKING OF THE VERMONT LAND TRUST AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY. TOGETHER, THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE OWNED AND MANAGED TIMBERLAND IN THE NORTHERN GREEN MOUNTAINS BEGINNING IN 1997. THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS LAND PROVIDES DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF OWNING AND MANAGING TIMBERLAND FOR ECONOMIC AND BIODIVERSITY VALUES. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS CONCERNS OF OWNERS OF CONSERVED TIMBERLAND. MUCH OF THE LAND HAS NOW BEEN SOLD, SUBJECT TO PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT ENSURE THE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR HIKING, HUNTING, AND OTHER NON-MOTORIZED RECREATION.

    Expenses $128,354 · Revenue $25,465

  • VERMONT FOREST CARBONTHE VERMONT FOREST CARBON IS A PROJECT TO PILOT AGGREGATING SMALL, SEPARATELY OWNED, INDIVIDUAL PARCELS OF FOREST LAND FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION TO PROVIDE A BROADER SET OF LANDOWNERS ACCESS TO CARBON MARKETS.

    Expenses $933,948 · Revenue $658,411

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Abbie Corse

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carolyn Gilbert

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cheryl Morse

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Hannah Sessions

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jess Phelps

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Maria Young

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Meriwether Hardie

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Mike Donohue

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Ramsey Luhr

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Karin Chamberlain

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paul Costello

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Kassel

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dawn Morgan

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Fred Nelson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Abby White

    VP FOR ENGAGEMENT

    Total calculated
    $133,961
    From this org
    $130,780
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,181
    Hours/week
    40

  • John Livingston

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE- OUTGOING

    Total calculated
    $78,620
    From this org
    $68,271
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,349
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jessica Estes

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $84,075
    From this org
    $65,989
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,086
    Hours/week
    40

  • Tracy Zschau

    PRESIDENT AND CEO

    Total calculated
    $143,354
    From this org
    $131,250
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,104
    Hours/week
    40

  • Tyler Miller

    VP FOR LAND ACTIVATION

    Total calculated
    $123,560
    From this org
    $104,185
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,375
    Hours/week
    40

  • Christine McShea

    LEGAL DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $106,933
    From this org
    $104,418
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,515
    Hours/week
    40

  • Daniel Kilborn

    LANDS DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $105,831
    From this org
    $103,467
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,364
    Hours/week
    40

  • Allan Karnatz

    PROJECT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $104,730
    From this org
    $102,397
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,333
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • BREWSTER UPLANDS CONSERVATION TRUST LLC

    MANAGE A 1,000+ ACRES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES · VT · income $420,793 · assets $1,836,026

    Directly controlled by VERMONT LAND TRUST INC

  • VERMONT FOREST CARBON LLC

    CARBON SEQUESTRATION · VT · income $658,411 · assets $9,899

    Directly controlled by VERMONT LAND TRUST INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
16 February 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202600479349300530

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