Rural Action's mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region's assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. We envision a region with clean streams and healthy forests, thriving family farms, meaningful livelihoods and vibrant communities, with people engaged as good stewards of the world they live in and working together to make this vision a reality. We do this work in promising economic sectors for our region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3M
+62.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+324.0% YoY
Grant Count
10
-9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$318K
+366.4% YoY
About Rural Action Inc
Based on IRS filings
Rural Action Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in THE PLAINS, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 10 grants totaling $3.2M. Net investment income was $37K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,268,922 | $2,623,632 | $2,377,988 |
| Revenue | $12,796,752 | $7,020,228 | $5,315,874 |
| Expenses | $11,415,459 | $7,181,595 | $5,045,717 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $37,434 | $22,192 | $5,024 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Rural Action Inc
Beginning Farmer Scholarship
RURAL ACTION INC
Amount
Up to $350
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Makerspace Scholarship
RURAL ACTION INC
Amount
$400
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Market Managers Scholarship
RURAL ACTION INC
Amount
Up to $350
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mountain Association ($2,762,641), Ohio University Bursar Office ($134,465), Building Bridges to Careers ($81,621).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBBIE PHILLIPS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 35 | $108,545 |
| MARY ANN BORCH | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SAM MILLER | VICE-CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN LOUGHRIDGE | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| BILLIE KARIHER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| DAVID BUTCHER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DR DAVID DESCUTNER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LAUREN DIKIS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DR ANA ROSADO FEGER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MIKE FORD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SALLY LINDER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DR SAUMYA PANT | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KEITH WILBUR | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KATRINA CARPENTER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| YI-TING WANG | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| BRIAN VADAKIN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rural Action Inc?
Rural Action Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in THE PLAINS, OH. It holds $4.3M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Rural Action Inc?
As of 2024, Rural Action Inc holds $4.3M in total assets with $12.8M in annual revenue. It awarded 10 grants totaling $3.2M in 2024.
Where does Rural Action Inc operate?
Rural Action Inc has awarded grants in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia.
What size grants does Rural Action Inc award?
In 2024, Rural Action Inc awarded 10 grants totaling $3.2M — an average of about $318K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rural Action Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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