Vermont Foundation of Recovery

What Vermont Foundation of Recovery does

Vermont Foundation of Recovery (VFOR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that operates certified recovery housing for Vermonters with substance use disorder. The organization runs 10 shared-living recovery residences across seven Vermont communities (Barre, Bennington, Essex Junction, Morrisville, Rutland, St. Albans, and St. Johnsbury), with 79 beds statewide and approximately 175 members served annually. VFOR also operates transitional apartments for members progressing toward independent living. Members pay a $400 non-refundable initial fee plus weekly dues of $150 or $160 (Essex only), while donations, grants, and community partnerships sustain organizational operations beyond member contributions. Membership includes structured accountability (recovery meeting attendance, 20+ hours/week of work/volunteer/school), MAT-friendly policies, and pathways to employment (90% of members find jobs) and stable housing (56%) post-stay.

VFOR's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with a parallel community-led motion: prospective members apply through the BehaveHealth platform, complete phone interviews, and enter a 90-day introduction period. The organization also accepts Department of Corrections referrals and cultivates referral pipelines with local recovery centers (NCVRC, Turning Point Center), Vermont Department of Health, and affordable housing partners (Champlain Housing Trust). Leadership is composed almost entirely of individuals with lived recovery experience, including co-founders David Riegel (now full-time Executive Director as of 2026) and Andrew Gonyea (Director of Operations). VFOR is a founding member of VTARR, which established statewide certification standards, and operates within a documented supply gap — only 13 certified residences serve less than 5% of Vermont's recovery housing demand, positioning VFOR for continued capacity expansion.

Name

Vermont Foundation of Recovery

Legal name

Vermont Foundation of Recovery

Website

https://vfor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vermont Foundation of Recovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 10 certified recovery residences and transitional apartments across seven Vermont communities, serving approximately 175 members annually with structured sober-living housing, accountability, and MAT-friendly recovery support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recovery Housing Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Recovery housing services
• Sober living residences
• Substance use recovery
• Transitional housing programs
• Peer-supported recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Essex Junction

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Weekly membership dues ranging from $150-$160 depending on location, plus a $400 non-refundable initial membership fee. These dues cover safe and sober living environment, bed, utilities, group activities, and expansion of member services.
2. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VFOR relies on donations, grants, and partnerships to sustain and grow operations. The organization accepts charitable contributions from individuals and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Vermont Foundation of Recovery (VFOR) operates 10 certified, peer-supported recovery residences and transitional apartments across Vermont for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. Members pay a $400 non-refundable initial fee plus weekly dues of $150–$160 to access safe, sober, MAT-friendly shared housing with accountability structures, recovery meetings, and pathways to employment and stable independent living.

Product overview

Vermont Foundation of Recovery (VFOR) offers a unified recovery housing program consisting of two integrated components: certified Recovery Homes providing structured, peer-supported shared living for individuals in early recovery from substance use disorder, and Transitional Apartments offering semi-independent living for members progressing toward independent living. The membership-based program serves approximately 175 members annually across 10 locations statewide, providing safe housing, accountability structures, recovery meetings, and support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recovery Homes Safe, structured, peer-supported shared living residences for individuals in early recovery from substance use disorder. VFOR operates 10 certified recovery homes throughout Vermont (Barre, Bennington, Essex Junction, Morrisville, Rutland, St. Albans, and St. Johnsbury), providing approximately 79 beds statewide for men and women (with select homes accepting women with children up to age 10).
• Transitional Apartments Semi-independent living option for VFOR members further along in their recovery journey. Members transition from recovery homes to transitional apartments as they prepare for full independent living, including in properties such as the historic Squire House in Bennington.
• Membership Program Structured membership program requiring a $400 non-refundable initial fee and weekly dues of $150–$160. Members receive safe and sober housing, a bed at one of VFOR's locations, utilities, access to group activities, recovery resources, community support, and personal goal-setting support toward employment and stable housing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% less likely to return to use
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Champlain Housing TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership with Champlain Housing Trust to expand recovery housing for women in Essex Junction. This partnership enabled VFOR's 10th certified recovery residence, with six recovery beds and four transitional apartment beds. Each organization focuses on its expertise while supporting strong recovery outcomes.
• Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences (VTARR)coreOthersVFOR co-founder David Riegel was a founding board member of VTARR, which brought national certification standards to Vermont. VFOR's residences are certified under these standards.
• Step Into Action-VTminorOthersVFOR co-founder David Riegel was a founding board member of this organization that empowers Vermont community members to celebrate recovery from substance use.
• Recovery Partners of VermontcoreOthersVFOR Executive Director David Riegel serves as Treasurer of the Recovery Partners of Vermont Board, strengthening VFOR's voice within the recovery sector.
• Vermont Community Development BoardminorOthersDavid Riegel was recently appointed to the Vermont Community Development Board, further strengthening VFOR's voice within housing and recovery sectors.
• North Central Vermont Recovery Center (NCVRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFOR recovery homes are located near NCVRC locations. The organizations co-host events including the annual Run for Hope 5K, and work together to support recovery community.
• Turning Point Center of Chittenden CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFOR works with Turning Point Center on community events including the Stand Up for Recovery comedy night fundraiser, which celebrates the power of recovery and raises funds for addiction recovery services.
• Vermont Department of HealthcoreOthersVFOR partners with Vermont Department of Health on substance use initiatives including the annual Coming Together: A Substance Use Addiction Summit. The Department provides statistics and resources on substance use trends.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New Life House: Long-running certified sober living operator in Southern California with structured recovery programming. Comparable to VFOR in certification, accountability framework, and population served.
• Sober Living America: National nonprofit operating certified sober living residences across multiple states. Comparable to VFOR in its certified-recovery-residence model, mission focus, and member-supported dues structure.
• Oxford House: Oxford House operates the largest network of sober living homes in the United States with thousands of recovery residences nationwide. Directly comparable to VFOR as a peer-run, self-sustaining sober living model, though at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Stepping Stone House: Operates certified recovery residences in Vermont and New Hampshire. Direct geographic and mission peer to VFOR, serving similar populations with sober living and transitional housing.
• Clean and Sober Transitional Living: Operates sober living homes with weekly dues and structured accountability models. Directly comparable to VFOR in operating model, peer-support orientation, and weekly fee structure.

Broad incumbents

• Pyramid Healthcare: Multi-state behavioral health provider offering residential SUD treatment, outpatient services, and recovery housing. Broader incumbent with overlapping recovery housing footprint but a more clinically driven, multi-level-of-care model than VFOR's purely sober-living approach.

Others

• Recovery Housing Program (various state operators): HUD-funded Recovery Housing Program grantees nationwide. Adjacent to VFOR as fellow federally recognized recovery housing providers, with shared mission and certification standards but operating under different funding mechanisms.
• Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences (VTARR): State affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) that certifies Vermont recovery residences including VFOR's. Industry body rather than direct competitor; relevant as VFOR's certification and quality framework.

Regional players

• Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR): Regional recovery community organization offering peer support, recovery coaching, and advocacy in Connecticut. Comparable to VFOR in peer-led recovery support mission, though primarily advocacy- and community-oriented rather than housing-focused.
• Turning Point Center of Chittenden County: Vermont recovery community center offering peer support, recovery coaching, and social activities without operating housing. Adjacent mission and frequent VFOR partner; comparable peer-support model but distinct (non-residential) service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VTFoundationofRecovery
• Facebookfacebook.com/vtfor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-foundation-of-recovery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vermont Foundation of Recovery