Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pt VI, Line 6 | Supporters of VPIRG who make contributions of at least $30 per year - to either VPIRG or its affiliate VPIREF - are automatically considered members. |
| Pt VI, Line 7a | Directors serve two-year terms with the membership generally electing half of the Directors each year via mail or electronic ballots. |
| Pt VI, Line 7b | Members must approve any changes to the Organization's bylaws. |
| Pt VI, Line 11b | A draft of Form 990 is reviewed by management with a copy of Form 990, in PDF format, made available to the Board prior to filing. |
| Pt VI, Line 12c | Board members are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest annually with compliance monitored by management. |
| Pt VI, Line 15a | The Executive Committee of the governing Board reviews comparability information as part of the annual salary review of all top officials. |
| Pt VI, Line 15b | See above description for Part VI, Line 15a. |
| Pt VI, Line 19 | The Organization does not release its financial statements or other governance documents. General financial information is provided annually to members. |
| Other | Part III / Line 4d - Other Programs: |
| Other | Zero Waste - VPIRG works to advance policies and solutions that hold manufacturers accountable for the products they put into our environment and move us closer to zero waste in Vermont. In 2019, VPIRG successfully advocated for the enactment of the nation's most comprehensive law to deal with the scourge of single-use plastic pollution. Despite last minute attempts by the plastics industry to derail implementation of the law, it took effect on July 1, 2020. Also in 2020, VPIRG supported legislation to address additional throwaway plastic products. We led state efforts to modernize Vermont's popular beverage container redemption program and helped to expose the improper disposal of recyclable materials in the state as well. |
| Other | Environmental Health - VPIRG works to protect public health and our environment from the hidden dangers of toxic chemicals that we're exposed to every day. In 2020, a major focus for us was legislation aimed at banning toxic PFAS chemicals in common products such as carpets and rugs, firefighting foam, and food packaging. These toxic "forever chemicals" have been linked to cancers and other problems with human health and have come under growing public scrutiny in recent years as they have been discovered in public and private water supplies across Vermont. VPIRG also worked to ensure proper implementation of policies already enacted to protect children from lead in school water, and from children's products containing other toxins. |
| Other | Consumer Protection - VPIRG serves as a watchdog, protecting the public interest when corporations attempt to put profits over people, and ensures that the policies and laws that we do pass to protect the public interest are, in fact, enforced. In recent years, VPIRG's Consumer Protection Program has placed a specific emphasis on working for policies that protect consumers in the digital space. In 2020, the governor signed into law wide-ranging legislation (Act 89) containing several VPIRG-backed provisions aimed at improving data privacy for Vermont students, better protecting all Vermonters' personal information, informing them when their data has been compromised, and keeping them out of unwanted 'zombie contacts.' VPIRG had advocated for enactment of this law since it was introduced in 2019. VPIRG also has a long commitment to addressing Vermont's connectivity issues and moving Vermont much more rapidly toward universal broadband coverage. The pandemic thrust into stark relief the need for access to affordable, high-speed internet and the serious digital divide that exists in Vermont. In 2020, VPIRG supported - and the legislature ultimately authorized - around $20 million to fund a variety of programs designed to expand access, including funding for line extensions, subsidies to Vermonters with low incomes, and planning support to community-owned internet providers. |
| Other | Health Care Reform - VPIRG works to reform our health care system so that it provides all Vermonters access to quality, affordable health care when they need it. We remain committed to advancing policies that ensure no Vermonter ever has to decide between receiving a paycheck or caring for a loved one. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4d | Other programs include Zero Waste, Environmental Health, 111145. 0. 0. |
| Software ID: | 20011577 |
| Software Version: |