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· Private foundation

South Meadow Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$169k
Granted FY2025still arriving
13
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it funds
0193% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Education$350kEnvironment$156kYouth Development$140kArts & Culture$130kRecreation & Sports$91kHealth$57kCommunity Improvement$50kCrime & Legal$35kOther$0
02FY2025 · 13 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k6 grants · $24k
  • $10k–50k7 grants · $145k
$10,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$2.7M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE BIKER HUB$25,000
ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN$25,000
SOUTHERN VERMONT ART CENTER$25,000
GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL$25,000
VYCC$20,000
CENTURION$15,000
SOLOMON WRIGHT PUBLIC LIBRARY$10,000
ST JEROME INSTITUTE$5,000
RVC FRIENDS OF MLK$5,000
Individual grant recipient$5,000
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY$5,000
FUND FOR N BENNINGTON$2,000
PARK-MCCULLOUGH HOUSE$2,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–22, $15k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%BACKYARD PLAYERS AND FRIENDS: $5k → 6%NJTL OF BENNINGTON VT: $5k → 11%NJTL OF BENNINGTON VT: $5k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

VT
NY
MA
PA
NJ
CA
CO
MD
TN
DC
GA
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

88%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.1M · 34 repeat orgs$140k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +49% since the first grant, against +27% for those funded once.

34 repeat relationships: 8 still active in FY2025, 26 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

34
21

Total granted

$1.1M
$106k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+49%
+27%

Still filing today

56%
43%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 79% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $34k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationEnvironmentHealthYouth DevelopmentHuman ServicesOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • VY
    VERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS INC
    3× · 2019–2022 · $150k · revenue +85%
  • BH
    BIKE HUB
    4× · 2022–2025 · $130k · revenue +41% · 28% of their budget
  • NB
    NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COALITION INC
    2× · 2019–2020 · $50k · revenue +52%

Funded once

  • TG
    THE GRATEFUL BENNINGTON FUND
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
  • RP
    ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGNgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $25k · revenue +184%
  • SF
    SVHC FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2023 · $10k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Vermont Public Co

Vermont public informs, educates, and entertains through public service journalism and enlightening content rooted in vermont. our storytelling enriches lives and fosters community connection and understanding.

Arts & Culture
2
The Vermont River Conservancy Inc

Protect land along rivers, lakes and wetlands of vt; protect public access, wildlife habitat, scenic natural beauty, and ecological integrity.

Human Services
3
Vermont Institute of Natural Science Inc

The mission of vins is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation.

Environment
4
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Research & Edu Fdn

To provide research and education on issues of importance to the natural, human, and economic environments of vermont citizens.

Education
5
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Veic is a sustainable energy company on a mission to generate the energy solutions the world needs (continues in schedule o). (continued), working to combat the climate crisis, boost community resilience, and lower energy costs. for nearly…

Environment
6
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies Inc

The vermont center for ecostudies advances the conservation of wildlife across the americas through research, monitoring, and citizen engagement.

Environment
7
Vermont Wilderness School

Provide nature-based education and mentoring to youth and adults in southern vermont and western massachusetts.

Environment
8
Vermont Humanities Council

Using the humanities, we connect with people across vermont to create just, vibrant, and resilient communities, and to inspire a lifelong love of learning.

—
9
Alliance for a Better Vermont

Conducts and coordinates research of critical issues affecting vermonters. also conducts public opinion research.

—
10
Vermont Parks Forever Inc
Recreation & Sports
11
Vermont Riverlands Llc

To protect and enhance the natural resources of vermont in order to promote the well-being of present and future generations of vermonters and visitors; preserve and aid in the preservation of open land along rivers and lakes; protect and…

Environment
12
Vermont Business Roundtable Inc

To sustain a sound economy and preserve vermont's unique quality of life by studying and making recommendations on statewide public policy issues.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Fund for North Bennington Inc; the most unlike its peers is Paran Recreations Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 60 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/30
Grantees still filing
26/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL: $160,000 · OtherGERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOLROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN: $75,000 · OtherROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGNVYCC: $70,000 · OtherVYCCCENTURION MINISTRIES INC: $35,000 · OtherCENTURION MINISTRIES INCCENTURION: $30,000 · OtherGHBICS: $29,500 · OtherTHE GRATEFUL BENNINGTON FUND: $25,000 · OtherShires Housing Inc: $20,000 · Other+34 more: $144,400 · Other+34 moreSOLOMON WRIGHT PUBLIC LIBRARY: $97,000 · EducationSOLOMON WRIGHT PU…BUXTON SCHOOLINC: $50,000 · EducationBUXTON SCHOOLINCTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $25,000 · EducationTHE TRUSTEES OF C…POWNAL PRESCHOOL INC: $15,000 · EducationPOWNAL PRESCHOOL …+1 more: $5,500 · EducationVERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS INC: $150,000 · EnvironmentVERMONT YOUTH …+2 more: $700 · EnvironmentBIKE HUB: $130,000 · Youth DevelopmentBIKE HUBELEVATE NEW YORK INC: $10,000 · Youth DevelopmentELEVATE NEW Y…SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER INC PO BOX 617: $25,000 · Arts & CultureROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN: $25,000 · Arts & CultureBENNINGTON MUSEUM INC: $14,000 · Arts & CulturePRESERVATION TRUST OF VERMONT INC: $12,000 · Arts & Culture+1 more: $2,300 · Arts & CultureNORTHERN BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COALITION INC: $50,000 · Community ImprovementNJTL OF BENNINGTON VT INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesBACKYARD PLAYERS & FRIENDS INC: $5,000 · Human Services
Other$588,900Education$192,500Environment$150,700Youth Development$140,000Arts & Culture$78,300Community Improvement$50,000Human Services$15,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetVERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS INC: $150,000 over 3y, 3.0% of budgetBIKE HUB: $130,000 over 4y, 28% of budgetSOLOMON WRIGHT PUBLIC LIBRARY: $97,000 over 5y, 13% of budgetBUXTON SCHOOLINC: $50,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetNORTHERN BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COALITION INC: $50,000 over 2y, 2.4% of budgetCENTURION MINISTRIES INC: $35,000 over 4y, 0.5% of budgetROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN: $25,000 over 1y, 23% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $25,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetShires Housing Inc: $20,000 over 4y, 0.5% of budgetPOWNAL PRESCHOOL INC: $15,000 over 3y, 1.7% of budgetBENNINGTON MUSEUM INC: $14,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetPRESERVATION TRUST OF VERMONT INC: $12,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetELEVATE NEW YORK INC: $10,000 over 2y, 2.8% of budgetNJTL OF BENNINGTON VT INC: $10,000 over 2y, 3.4% of budgetPUBLIC ASSETS INSTITUTE INC: $6,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetVERMONT ARTS EXCHANGE INC: $5,500 over 3y, 1.2% of budgetTHE FUND FOR NORTH BENNINGTON INC: $5,000 over 2y, 2.1% of budgetMARCH OF DIMES INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBACKYARD PLAYERS & FRIENDS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetTHE MARFAN FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBIKES NOT BOMBS INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetVERMONT JOURNALISM TRUST LTD: $2,300 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetVIN FOUNDATION: $2,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetPownal Rescue Squad: $1,600 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetChildren's Hospital Colorado Foundation: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS: $200 over 2y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds VERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS INC ↗
  • Who funds BIKE HUB ↗
  • Who funds SOLOMON WRIGHT PUBLIC LIBRARY ↗
  • Who funds BUXTON SCHOOLINC ↗
  • Who funds NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COALITION INC ↗
  • Who funds CENTURION MINISTRIES INC ↗
  • Who funds SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER INC PO BOX 617 ↗
  • Who funds ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN ↗
  • Who funds THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK ↗
  • Who funds Shires Housing Inc ↗
  • Who funds POWNAL PRESCHOOL INC ↗
  • Who funds BENNINGTON MUSEUM INC ↗
  • Who funds PRESERVATION TRUST OF VERMONT INC ↗
  • Who funds ELEVATE NEW YORK INC ↗
  • Who funds NJTL OF BENNINGTON VT INC ↗
  • Who funds PUBLIC ASSETS INSTITUTE INC ↗
  • Who funds VERMONT ARTS EXCHANGE INC ↗
  • Who funds THE FUND FOR NORTH BENNINGTON INC ↗
  • Who funds MARCH OF DIMES INC ↗
  • Who funds BACKYARD PLAYERS & FRIENDS INC ↗
  • Who funds THE MARFAN FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds BIKES NOT BOMBS INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Chilmark FoundationNY43.3× affinity18 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Chilmark Foundation · The Vermont Community Foundation · Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc · Whipstock Hill Preservation Society Inc · Alcyon Foundation · Barr Charitable Trust · George W Mergens Foundation · The Windham Foundation Inc · Cleveland H Dodge Foundation Inc · Vermont Council on the Arts Inc · The Ayco Charitable Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization South Meadow Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from South Meadow Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 70%2%8%17%30%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 12%
  • Shires Housing Inc: 100% of income from government
  • Pownal Preschool Inc: 75% of income from government
  • Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Inc: 47% of income from government
  • Preservation Trust of Vermont Inc: 29% of income from government
  • Solomon Wright Public Library: 14% of income from government
  • Paran Recreations Inc: 12% of income from government
  • Bike Hub: 3% of income from government
  • The Trustees of Reservations: 2% of income from government
  • Bikes Not Bombs Inc: 2% of income from government
  • Vermont Journalism Trust Ltd: 0% of income from government
  • Pownal Rescue Squad: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
7get no government money at all
5report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
2rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to South Meadow Foundation?

Find your warmest path to South Meadow Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 60 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

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