Groundworks Collaborative
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBrattleboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Groundworks Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Groundworks Collaborative industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Groundworks Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brattleboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Groundworks Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including Empty Bowls (artisan bowl fundraiser), Load the Latchis (food drive at theater), and other community fundraising events.
- In-Kind Donations: Accepts gifts of stock, securities, food, personal care items, and other goods. Securities are sold promptly upon receipt.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Empty Bowls - Handcrafted bowl purchase for fundraiser |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Sustainer Program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Securities/Stock Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Groundworks Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Groundworks Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Groundworks Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Groundworks Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vermont FoodbankcoreGroundworks 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 RetreatcoreEmbedded 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 HospitalcoreVulnerable 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)coreCase 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 TrustcoreHousing 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 LibraryminorLibrary 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 FoundationminorGroundworks 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 BrattleborocoreCoalition building initiative where Groundworks participates in collective impact work to address homelessness and poverty through collaborative community action.
- The Situation TablecoreGroundworks participates in this initiative that brings attention to individuals in crisis and connects them with intervention services.
- Project CAREminorGroundworks participates in Project CARE, a collaborative initiative addressing mental health challenges and substance use disorder in the community.
- Brattleboro Police DepartmentminorGroundworks has a shared interest in public safety with Brattleboro Police Department and enjoys a strong working relationship with the department.
- AIDS Project of Southern VermontminorStreet Outreach Team collaboration with AIDS Project providing specialized health care connections and support services to vulnerable populations.
- SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action)minorSEVCA provides emergency assistance services. Former Executive Director Josh Davis left Groundworks to become Executive Director of SEVCA, indicating ongoing collaborative relationship.
- ArtLordsminorAfghan 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 OpportunitycoreState 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
Groundworks Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Groundworks Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceGroundworks Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Groundworks Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Groundworks Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Groundworks Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Groundworks Collaborative
What does Groundworks Collaborative do?
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.
Is Groundworks Collaborative a public or private company?
Groundworks Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Groundworks Collaborative founded?
Groundworks Collaborative was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Groundworks Collaborative based?
Groundworks Collaborative is headquartered in Brattleboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Groundworks Collaborative make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Grants, planned Giving, special Events Fundraising and in-Kind Donations.
Who are Groundworks Collaborative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Upper Valley Haven, Northeastern Vermont Community Action (NEKCA), Capstone Community Action, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA). Emerging players are Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS) and Dismas of Vermont. Windham & Windsor Housing Trust is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Salvation Army of Vermont and Catholic Charities of Vermont.
Does Groundworks Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Groundworks Collaborative.
What industry is Groundworks Collaborative in?
Groundworks Collaborative's product category is Homelessness and Hunger Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.