Montpelier, VT - State Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced today that he will be delivering $25,000 in unclaimed property checks to Vermont non-profits and community organizations this holiday season. The Treasurer’s Office proactively identified 18 nonprofits and community organizations across Vermont that will receive checks in amounts ranging from $600 to over $4,000.
The effort is part of a promotional campaign from the Treasurer’s Office to encourage Vermonters to actively search for their local nonprofits in the state’s unclaimed property database. Vermonters are encouraged to notify organizations if any unclaimed property is identified so they can claim it through the Treasurer’s Office.
“I’m pleased our office is able to return this money back to organizations that play a pivotal role in providing essential services to Vermonters,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “With nearly one-third of all non-profit fundraising taking place in December, our office hopes Vermonters can provide an extra boost this December by searching our unclaimed database and notifying non-profits in their community if they have missing money.”
“Vermont nonprofits and the communities they serve have faced many challenges this year, like high interest rates, inflation, workforce shortages, and this summer’s flood. This is an exciting opportunity to provide a little extra support to our communities.”
Unclaimed property includes assets such as uncashed checks, misplaced valuables, forgotten security deposits, overlooked insurance policies, investments, or estates. Claims can belong to individuals, businesses, or non-profit organizations. Though the Treasurer’s Office processes an average of over 17,000 unclaimed property claims per year, the amount of unclaimed property held by the state grows each year. The state currently holds over $120 million in unclaimed property.
The Treasurer's Office recently launched a pilot program in collaboration with the Department of Taxes to send unclaimed property checks directly to Vermonters with claims ranging from $200 to $225. If proven successful, Treasurer Pieciak hopes to expand the pilot program to send checks to more Vermonters. The Treasurer has also begun a similar pilot project with Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas to send unclaimed property checks directly to Vermont businesses and nonprofits.
You can search online at www.MissingMoney.Vermont.gov or call the Unclaimed Property Division at (802) 828-2407 or toll-free in Vermont at 1-800-642-3191.
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