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RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL-USA

EIN 56-1704863 PITTSBORO, NC

Browse the largest nonprofits in North Carolina

Revenue 2025
$7,952,661
Expenses 2025
$4,698,209

Program services were 85.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
Q310
Classification
1200
Street
PO BOX 640

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

RAFI CHALLENGES THE ROOT CAUSES OF UNJUST FOOD SYSTEMS, SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING FOR ECONOMICALLY, RACIALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY JUST FARM COMMUNITIES.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO CHALLENGE THE ROOT CAUSES OF UNJUST FOOD SYSTEMS, SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING FOR ECONOMICALLY, RACIALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY JUST FARM COMMUNITIES.

  • FARM SUSTAINABILITY: RAFI PROVIDES MULTIPLE SERVICES TO SMALL AND MID-SCALE FARMERS TO IMPROVE FARM VIABILITY. OUR RESOURCES FOR RESILIENT FARMS PROJECT PROVIDES PLAIN-LANGUAGE INFORMATION, FARMER TRAININGS, AND ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE FOR USDA PROGRAMS THAT WOULD SUPPORT GREATER FARM RESILIENCE FOR FARMERS' OPERATIONS.

    Expenses $1,186,674 · Grants $648,445

  • FARM ADVOCACY: FARM ADVOCACY PROVIDES ASSISTANCE, DEVELOPS TOOLS AND RESOURCES, AND PROMOTES POLICIES THAT HELP FARMERS ATTAIN GREATER FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ENCOURAGE THRIVING AND SUSTAINABLE SMALL AND MID-SCALE FAMILY FARMS. THE PROGRAM EDUCATES FARMERS ABOUT MANAGING RISK AND EQUIPS THEM TO NAVIGATE FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS FACING FINANCIAL CRISIS AND WHO STAND TO LOSE THEIR FARMS WITHOUT IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.

    Expenses $616,585 · Grants $1,000

  • FARMERS OF COLOR NETWORK: IN 2017, RAFI FOUNDED THE FARMERS OF COLOR NETWORK (FOCN) TO MORE INTENTIONALLY SUPPORT BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) FARMERS IN THE SOUTHEAST. IN 2022, FOCN EXPANDED OUR SERVICE REACH TO PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. FOCN PROVIDES FARMER-LED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MARKET ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES, WEBINARS, FARM TOURS, NETWORKING EVENTS, AND GATHERINGS TO HIGHLIGHT ANCESTRAL TRADITIONS AND KNOWLEDGE.

    Expenses $512,962 · Grants $295,442 · Revenue $3,000

  • POLICY: RAFI DEVELOPS POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS AND ADVOCATES ON BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY LEVELS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CREATING A FAIRER, MORE JUST AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR ALL. OUR POLICY WORK IS DIRECTLY INFORMED BY STAKEHOLDERS AND THE LESSONS WE LEARN AS WE PROVIDE FARM ADVOCACY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SERVICES TO FARMERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. CHALLENGING CORPORATE POWER IS A PROJECT OF THE POLICY TEAM.

    Expenses $510,848 · Revenue $256

  • STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING: STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING INCLUDES NEW AND INNOVATIVE PROJECTS THAT RAFI IS PILOTING WITH THE INTENTION THAT THEY SPIN OFF INTO THEIR OWN PROGRAMS OR BECOME INTEGRATED INTO OTHER PROGRAM AREAS AND FOR ADDRESSING EMERGING ISSUES.

    Expenses $505,687 · Grants $76,563 · Revenue $34,000

  • COME TO THE TABLE: COME TO THE TABLE IS A MULTI-FACETED PROGRAM THAT EMPOWERS FAITH COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CREATION OF A JUST FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH COLLABORATION, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND ADVOCACY. THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES, HUNGER RELIEF ADVOCATES AND FARMERS AND DELIVERS CONFERENCES AND EVENTS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING FOCUSED ON BUILDING EQUITY IN THE FOOD SYSTEM, AND COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS AND RESOURCES.

    Expenses $377,806 · Grants $26,000 · Revenue $6,557

  • DISASTER RESPONSE: RAFI PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO HELP FARMERS ACCESS DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WHEN MAJOR DISASTERS, ESPECIALLY NATURAL (OR CLIMATE) DISASTERS SUCH AS HURRICANES, DEVASTATE FARMS IN THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.RAFI ALSO ENGAGES IN SPECIAL FUNDRAISING TO SECURE FUNDS FOR PROVIDING EMERGENCY RELIEF PAYMENTS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO IMPACTED FARMERS.

    Expenses $202,484 · Grants $163,620

  • FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS: RAFI PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP SERVICES TO HELP FACILITATE THE MISSION-RELATED WORK OF PARTNER INITIATIVES THAT LACK THE LEGAL STATUS OR ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY NECESSARY TO RECEIVE GRANTS OR DONATIONS RAFI SERVES AS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE FOLLOWING GROUPS: CAMPAIGN FOR CONTRACT AGRICULTURE REFORM - CCAR IS A NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO PROVIDE A VOICE FOR MEMBERS AND RANCHERS INVOLVED IN CONTRACT AGRICULTURE, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

    Expenses $55,680

  • JUST FOODS: FROM PROMOTING MEANINGFUL STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, TO PIONEERING NEW STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE FOOD SYSTEM, JUST FOODS PROJECTS SEEK TO MAKE FAIR, SUSTAINABLE FARMING A VIABLE CHOICE. PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL GENETIC DIVERSITY IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO THE VIABILITY OF FAMILY FARMS. THEREFORE, JUST FOODS ADVOCATES FOR FUNDING FOR CLASSICAL BREEDING PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT PUBLICLY-HELD SEEDS AND BREEDS. WITHIN THE JUST FOODS PROGRAM ARE THE PROJECTS: SOUTHERN FARMERS SEED COOPERATIVE AND NC SEED STEWARDS.

    Expenses $49,367

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2025

As listed in Part VII of the 2025 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Lacey Brown

    BOARD VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ivette Ruiz

    BOARD MEMBER (RESIGNED MARCH 2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daramonifah Cooper

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Norysell Massanett

    BOARD MEMBER (RESIGNED JANUARY 2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Claire Kelloway

    CHAIR AND TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jehyra M Asencio Yace

    BOARD MEMBER (RESIGNED NOVEMBER 2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jarred White

    MEMBER AT-LARGE & STAFF REP

    Total calculated
    $72,637
    From this org
    $64,690
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,947
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kelly Marchand

    SECRETARY - NON-VOTING

    Total calculated
    $97,097
    From this org
    $70,075
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,022
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kavita Koppa

    CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $112,075
    From this org
    $99,072
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,003
    Hours/week
    40

  • Edna Rodriguez

    CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $419,509
    From this org
    $383,158
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,351
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $121,134
    Bonus
    $262,024
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $3,634
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,717
    Filer's total
    $419,509

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2025
    Revenue
    $7,952,661
    Expenses
    $4,698,209
    Contributions
    $6,986,467
    Grants paid
    $1,211,070
  • 2024
    Revenue
    $4,083,827
    Expenses
    $4,477,350
    Contributions
    $4,040,262
    Grants paid
    $869,927
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $3,757,229
    Expenses
    $3,436,169
    Contributions
    $3,731,509
    Grants paid
    $502,352
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $2,420,873
    Expenses
    $3,184,221
    Contributions
    $2,407,494
    Grants paid
    $653,435

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,762,737
    Expenses
    $2,639,423
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,598,497

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,535,166
    Expenses
    $2,369,109
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,465,272

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,336,612
    Expenses
    $2,166,249
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,273,442

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,516,897
    Expenses
    $2,186,199
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,133,663

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,656,367
    Expenses
    $2,116,129
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,792,381

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,097,908
    Expenses
    $1,873,705
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,250,317

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,749,442
    Expenses
    $1,868,886
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,013,638

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,749,442
    Expenses
    $1,868,886
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,013,638

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,691,858
    Expenses
    $1,731,003
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,342,021

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,814,591
    Expenses
    $1,570,555
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,368,955

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2023 return

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2025, the newest we have parsed for this organization.