Rural Action Inc
Rural Action Inc is a public charity based in The Plains, Ohio. Its website describes it as a membership-based nonprofit founded in 1991 in Appalachian Ohio; its 2024 filing lists its year formed as 1985. The organization says it works to build a more just economy by developing regional assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways.
Rural Action Inc at a glance
In short: Rural Action Inc gave $3.2M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $318K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,183,631
- +324.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $318,363
- +366.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $39,120
- Total assets
- $4,268,922
- +62.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Rural Action Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 9030 Hocking Hills Drive, The Plains, OH 45780
Phone: (740) 677-4047
Website: https://ruralaction.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Rural Action Inc
Beginning Farmer Scholarship
Rural Action Inc
Amount
Up to $350
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Community Makerspace Scholarship
Rural Action Inc
Amount
$400
Deadline
Deadline not published
Market Managers Scholarship
Rural Action Inc
Amount
Up to $350
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Who Rural Action Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mountain Association ($2.8M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 21 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Rural Action describes its core work as centered in Appalachian Ohio. Its website says it has eight offices in communities where it works and directly reached 58 Ohio counties in 2024, 32 of which are designated Appalachian counties. It also says it collaborates on projects in West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Tennessee, and Illinois.
The 2024 grant filing reports recipients in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. Its reported share of grant dollars by recipient state was Kentucky 87%, Ohio 11%, West Virginia 2%, and Virginia 1%; percentages may not total 100% because of rounding. The Beginning Farmer and Market Managers Scholarships are geographically limited to Appalachian counties in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Rural Action Inc gives
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $751K (2023) to $3.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Association Berea, KY | Pass through to organization. | $2,762,641 |
| Ohio University Bursar Office Columbus, OH | Pass through to organization. | $134,465 |
| Building Bridges to Careers Marietta, OH | Pass through to organization. | $81,621 |
| Coalfield Development Corporation Huntington, WV | Pass through to organization. | $49,579 |
| Southeast Ohio Hope Center Nelsonville, OH | Pass through to organization. | $39,540 |
| Passion Works Athens, OH | Pass through to organization. | $38,700 |
| Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc Athens, OH | Pass through to organization. | $25,205 |
| Appalachian Sustainable Development Bristol, VA | Pass through to organization. | $22,232 |
| Community Food Initiative Athens, OH | Pass through to organization. | $16,706 |
| United Plant Savers Rutland, OH | Pass through to organization. | $12,942 |
Ready to take the next step with Rural Action Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,268,922 | $12,796,752 | $11,415,459 | $3,183,631 | 10 | $37,434 |
| 2023 | $2,623,632 | $7,020,228 | $7,181,595 | $750,829 | 11 | $22,192 |
| 2022 | $2,377,988 | $5,315,874 | $5,045,717 | — | — | $5,024 |
| 2021 | $1,800,530 | $4,307,921 | $4,251,406 | — | — | $153,621 |
| 2020 | $1,762,260 | $3,714,399 | $3,720,501 | — | — | $21,734 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Rural Action’s stated mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. Its website identifies core work including helping small communities, growing local businesses and jobs, restoring the environment, and cultivating future leaders.
Its 2024 filing reports work in watershed restoration, sustainable forestry, zero waste, sustainable agriculture, leadership and service, workforce development, sustainable energy, and environmental education. The filing says Rural Action’s watershed team coordinated pumping or repairs for 60 home septic systems, completed a 12-acre riparian tree planting, and monitored 17 watersheds and restoration projects in Ohio in 2024. It also reports that the organization and six regional partners received a $6 million U.S. Forest Service grant for forest-landowner support; this was funding received, not grants given by Rural Action.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Building Bridges to Careers describes its work as connecting education and employment for students; Passion Works describes itself as a community art center supporting people of all abilities; and United Plant Savers says it establishes native medicinal-plant sanctuaries and raises awareness about plant preservation. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Rural Action’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Rural Action reported 10 grants totaling $3,183,631. Grant sizes ranged from $12,942 to $2,762,641, with a median of $39,120. The largest listed grants were $2,762,641 to Mountain Association, $134,465 to Ohio University Bursar Office, and $81,621 to Building Bridges to Careers. Each was described in the filing as a pass-through to an organization.
Rural Action also offers participant scholarships described on its website and in its program information. The Beginning Farmer and Market Managers Scholarships cover registration fees for eligible training, conferences, or courses, up to $350 per scholarship; each allows one scholarship per farm or market for one individual. The Community Makerspace Scholarship provides a full-year membership valued at $400, with decisions based in part on economic need and the applicant’s desire to learn new skills. These are participant programs rather than grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Debbie Phillips as chief executive officer; Mary Ann Borch as chair; Sam Miller as vice-chair; Susan Loughridge as treasurer; and Billie Kariher as secretary. It also lists David Butcher, Dr. David Descutner, Lauren Dikis, Dr. Ana Rosado Feger, and Mike Ford as board members.
Rural Action’s website reports a staff of 50 full-time equivalents and 70 AmeriCorps members with the Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps.
Rural Action Inc is led by Debbie Phillips, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Debbie Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$73K (2020) → $109K (2024)
Mary Ann Borch
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Butcher
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Descutner
Board Member
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saumya Pant
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Loughridge
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ana Rosado Feger
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sam Miller
Vice Chair
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Billie Kariher
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Wilbur
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Dikis
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Ford
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Linder
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katrina Carpenter
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yi-Ting Wang
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Vadakin
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Perry Varnadoe (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Paul Reed (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Belle Everett (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Don Cooley (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kay Tousley (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Shoshanna Brooker (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: T. Chris Wilson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Davey-Sayre (2021) — Board Member
- Former: George Wood (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Davey (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Snider (2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Rick Hindman (2020) — Chair
- Former: Zach Reizes (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $109K, to Debbie Phillips (Chief Executive Officer).
Frequently asked questions about Rural Action Inc
How much does Rural Action Inc give each year?
Rural Action Inc gave $3.2M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $751K across 11 grants.
What is Rural Action Inc's typical grant size?
Rural Action Inc's median grant in 2024 was $39,120, and its average grant was $318,363, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Rural Action Inc give grants?
Rural Action Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Athens, OH (3 grants).
Does Rural Action Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Rural Action Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Pass through to organization." (10 grants).
Who are Rural Action Inc's largest grantees?
Rural Action Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Mountain Association ($2,762,641), Ohio University Bursar Office ($134,465) and Building Bridges to Careers ($81,621), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Rural Action Inc?
Rural Action Inc reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.8M.
What does Rural Action Inc fund?
Rural Action’s stated mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rural Action Inc?
Rural Action Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ruralaction.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Rural Action Inc's EIN?
Rural Action Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1124220. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rural Action Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rural Action Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rural-action-inc-morg_9db2bf123d63463c9ad62dc8c8f54b9c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311124220_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rural Action Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rural-action-inc-morg_9db2bf123d63463c9ad62dc8c8f54b9c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Rural Action Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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