Melissa Harwood

VPIRG

VPIRG's mission is to promote and protect the health of Vermont's people, environment and locally-based economy by informing and mobilizing individuals and communities across the state. Founded in 1972, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) is the largest nonprofit consumer and environmental advocacy organization in the state. For five decades VPIRG has brought the voices of everyday Vermonters to public policy debates concerning the environment, health care, consumer protection, and democracy. As a 501(c)4 nonprofit advocacy group, VPIRG conducts non-partisan public interest advocacy in support of priority public interest issues and campaigns and seeks legislative and policy solutions that make Vermont an even better place to live. VPIRG advocates and organizers use independent research, policy analysis, public outreach, and grassroots mobilization to design and implement effective strategies for each of our campaigns. VPIRG established the Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund (VPIREF) in 1975 as its 501(c)3 outreach and education arm in order to conduct independent research and public education on the broad range of issues on which we work.