Groundworks Collaborative

What Groundworks Collaborative does

Groundworks Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, that provides integrated services addressing hunger and homelessness across southeastern Vermont. Formally established in 2015 through the merger of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center (27 years operating history) and Morningside Shelter (36 years operating history), Groundworks now employs nearly 50 staff and operates five core programs: Foodworks (food shelf, serving 4,767-4,784 unique individuals annually across roughly 2,000 households and rescuing over $500,000 of food per year), Housingworks (overnight and seasonal shelter with 34 beds, expandable to 46 in winter, plus the planned 40-bed Royal Road replacement), Supportworks (case management for 100+ households, Representative Payee Program, and permanent supportive housing at Great River Terrace and The Chalet), Changeworks (street outreach team launched February 2024), and Healthworks (embedded mental health, nursing, and substance use case management through partner clinicians).

The organization's revenue model is structurally nonprofit: government grants at the state and federal level contribute approximately 64% of the budget, with the balance from individual donations, monthly sustainer gifts, planned/legacy giving through the Vermont Community Foundation's Planned Giving Partnership, special-event fundraising (Empty Bowls, Load the Latchis), in-kind donations (food, stock, goods), and the Town of Brattleboro. The go-to-market is community-led and partnership-anchored: services are delivered free of charge through direct physical locations, awareness is built via website, Facebook, monthly e-newsletter, and earned media in outlets such as Brattleboro Reformer, The Commons, and VTDigger, and donor cultivation flows through planned-giving storytelling, board engagement, and 22+ year traditions like Empty Bowls.

Customer segmentation is horizontal across people experiencing food insecurity, people experiencing homelessness, individuals in housing transition, and adults aged 55+ in vulnerable circumstances (the latter has grown 133% over five years per source). Integrated embedded health partnerships with Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and HCRS distinguish the program from food-only or shelter-only nonprofits in the region, and lead the value proposition: Groundworks serves roughly one in three Brattleboro residents each year and runs the region's most heavily utilized food shelf.

Name

Groundworks Collaborative

Legal name

Groundworks Collaborative

Website

https://groundworksvt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Groundworks Collaborative is a Brattleboro, Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs five integrated programs (Foodworks, Housingworks, Supportworks, Changeworks, Healthworks) addressing hunger and homelessness across southeastern Vermont, serving roughly 5,000 people annually through direct service locations and embedded health partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness and Hunger Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Food assistance programs
• Homelessness case management
• Permanent supportive housing
• Community outreach services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brattleboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 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. Individual Donations: Groundworks relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, including one-time gifts, monthly sustainer contributions, and recurring donations. Donors can give via credit card, check, or stock/securities transfer.
2. Government Grants: Approximately 64% of Groundworks' budget comes from government grants at the state and federal levels. Local funding from the Town of Brattleboro plays a critical role in stabilizing services.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, retirement savings beneficiary designations, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and charitable lead trusts. The organization is a member of Vermont Community Foundation's Planned Giving Partnership.
4. Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including Empty Bowls (artisan bowl fundraiser), Load the Latchis (food drive at theater), and other community fundraising events.
5. In-Kind Donations: Accepts gifts of stock, securities, food, personal care items, and other goods. Securities are sold promptly upon receipt.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Groundworks Collaborative provides free emergency and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the greater Brattleboro, Vermont region. Its core offerings span a food shelf program (Foodworks), emergency and overnight shelter beds (Housingworks), housing case management and a Representative Payee financial management program (Supportworks), street outreach to the unsheltered (Changeworks), and embedded physical and mental health services delivered via partner clinicians (Healthworks). The organization is funded through government grants, individual donations, planned giving, fundraising events, and in-kind gifts.

Product overview

Groundworks Collaborative operates as a unified non-profit social services organization with five integrated core programs designed to address hunger and homelessness holistically. Foodworks (food shelf) and Housingworks (emergency shelter including Morningside House and the Drop-In Center/Overnight Shelter) provide immediate basic needs, while Supportworks (case management, Representative Payee Program, permanent supportive housing at Great River Terrace and The Chalet) and Changeworks (outreach team) help individuals transition to stable housing. Healthworks provides embedded healthcare through partnerships with Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and HCRS. The organization also offers Planned Giving for legacy donors and operates community awareness programs like Coffee & Conversation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foodworks: The organization's food shelf program located at 141 Canal Street, serving as the region's most heavily utilized food assistance program.
• Housingworks
• Supportworks
• Changeworks
• Healthworks

Quantifiable outcome

• Foodworks rescued and redistributed over $500,000 worth of food annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont FoodbankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundworks participates in the Vermont Foodbank network, receiving food products including salvage/reclaim items and purchased staples. Vermont Foodbank committed $75,000 for core staple purchases during summer months to help food shelves weather shortages. Groundworks expanded its Food Rescue program to collect donations from local grocery stores.
• Brattleboro RetreatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmbedded Licensed Mental Health Clinician from Brattleboro Retreat provides 40 hours weekly of early recovery and clinical counseling support to Groundworks clients and shelter residents. Also part of Outreach Team collaboration.
• Brattleboro Memorial HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVulnerable Population Care Coordinator (Registered Nurse) from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital available on-site 24 hours weekly. Part of BMH's Community Health Team, helps clients connect with primary care physicians, makes specialist referrals, and may accompany clients to medical appointments.
• Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCase Manager from HCRS on site 16 hours weekly providing outreach and engagement for those struggling with substance use. Also covers outreach to shelter guests in motels during Groundworks staff grieving period.
• Windham & Windsor Housing TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partnership for permanent supportive housing at Great River Terrace and The Chalet communities. Apartments owned and managed by Windham & Windsor Housing Trust with on-site case management and support services from Groundworks staff. Collaboration has helped move people into permanent housing.
• Brooks Memorial LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary serves as front-line resource for people experiencing homelessness, providing internet access, phone, mailing address services, and human connection. Temporarily handled Groundworks client mail during shelter closure, leading to discovery of additional hidden homeless individuals.
• Vermont Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundworks is a member of Vermont Community Foundation's Planned Giving Partnership, which helps set up Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Lead Trusts, and Charitable Remainder Trusts for legacy donors.
• One BrattleborocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition building initiative where Groundworks participates in collective impact work to address homelessness and poverty through collaborative community action.
• The Situation TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundworks participates in this initiative that brings attention to individuals in crisis and connects them with intervention services.
• Project CAREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundworks participates in Project CARE, a collaborative initiative addressing mental health challenges and substance use disorder in the community.
• Brattleboro Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundworks has a shared interest in public safety with Brattleboro Police Department and enjoys a strong working relationship with the department.
• AIDS Project of Southern VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreet Outreach Team collaboration with AIDS Project providing specialized health care connections and support services to vulnerable populations.
• SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEVCA provides emergency assistance services. Former Executive Director Josh Davis left Groundworks to become Executive Director of SEVCA, indicating ongoing collaborative relationship.
• ArtLordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfghan street artist collective created permanent mural on Foodworks building. The ArtLords, who painted Taliban-censored messages of human rights in Kabul, created their first Vermont mural on Groundworks property representing community connection.
• Vermont Office of Economic OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency funding motel rooms for overnight shelter clients during Groundworks temporary closure, providing emergency housing support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Upper Valley Haven: White River Junction, VT-based nonprofit operating a food shelf, emergency shelter, and case management programs serving a similar rural/small-town Vermont population. Closest direct comparable in geography, service mix, and scale (~50 staff).
• Northeastern Vermont Community Action (NEKCA): Community Action agency serving Vermont's Northeast Kingdom with food, housing, and emergency services. Comparable community-action model and rural Vermont service area.
• Capstone Community Action: Washington County, VT Community Action agency providing housing, food, and supportive services across central Vermont. Comparable community-action service mix and Vermont rural footprint.
• Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS): Burlington, VT-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for people experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable mission and service model; larger scale serving Chittenden County.
• Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA): Southeastern Vermont Community Action agency providing emergency assistance and housing services across the same region as Groundworks. Notable overlap: Groundworks' former Executive Director Josh Davis became SEVCA's ED in January 2024.

Emerging players

• Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS): Vermont designated mental health and substance use agency providing case management, crisis services, and outreach — partially overlapping with Groundworks' Healthworks. Embedded 16 hrs/week at Groundworks as a partner; serves a broader southeastern Vermont region.
• Dismas of Vermont: Vermont nonprofit providing transitional and permanent housing for people reentering from incarceration, with case management services. Comparable housing-and-case-management model, narrower population focus.

Others

• Windham & Windsor Housing Trust: Regional affordable housing developer/owner operating properties including Great River Terrace and The Chalet — Groundworks' permanent supportive housing partners. Complementary rather than competing: WWHT owns/manages housing units, Groundworks provides on-site case management.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army of Vermont: National faith-based social services organization with a Vermont presence providing emergency shelter, food assistance, and disaster relief. Broader portfolio and national funding base; less specialized in homelessness/case management than Groundworks.
• Catholic Charities of Vermont: Statewide Vermont social services organization providing emergency assistance, housing support, and case management across multiple programs. Broader scope and statewide footprint than Groundworks' region-specific focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GroundworksCollaborative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundworks-collaborative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Groundworks Collaborative