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RURAL ACTION INC

EIN 31-1124220 THE PLAINS, OH

Browse the largest nonprofits in Ohio

Revenue 2024
$12,796,752
Expenses 2024
$11,415,459

Program services were 81.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
S320
Classification
1000
Street
9030 HOCKING HILLS DR

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 · 2024

Mission

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.

  • 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; a place where thriving family farms, meaningful livelihoods and vibrant communities exist for everyone; 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. Recent accomplishments include: Watershed Restoration: In 2024, our watershed team closed out an important project in addressing brownfields and failing septic systems by coordinating the pumping or repair of 60 home septic tank systems. The team also completed a 12-acre riparian tree planting project in Wingett Run, and monitored 17 watersheds and restoration projects in Ohio. Sustainable Forestry: Rural Action, along with 6 regional partners, received a $6,000,000 US Forest Service grant to support forest landowners in connecting with new markets, providing economic opportunities and encouraging better forest health and management practices. As part of continued efforts to advise landowners on good conservation and stewardship practices, staff conducted site visits and assisted with management planning for 2,616 acres. Zero Waste: 238,640 pounds of material was diverted from going to the landfill through zero waste programming, including collections for hard to recycle materials, a community-wide effort to collect usable items left behind when students move out in spring and get them to people in need. Additionally, the team worked to collect durable medical equipment, such as hospital beds and wheelchairs, in order to prevent waste and get this important equipment to people who need it. Sustainable Agriculture: Through partnerships with food banks, Rural Action reached 108,000 individuals by providing locally sourced food from 84 farms. 30 workshops were held for local farmers on regenerative agricultural techniques and 16 farmers participated in the Whole Farm Mentor program. The Chesterhill Produce Auction (CPA) did $525,424 in business in 2024, which put $438,000 of revenue into the pockets of local farmers and producers. 116 individuals completed terms of service as AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA members as part of our Leadership and Service program in 2024. Together, these members cleaned up 113 dumpsites, cleared invasive species from 384 acres of land, built trails, distributed food, and helped mobilize 1,567 other volunteers to engage in service projects in the region. Rural Action also maintains strong programming in Workforce Development, Sustainable Energy, and Environmental Education.

    Expenses $9,294,239 · Grants $3,190,461 · Revenue $654,215

As filed on the 2024 return.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Debbie Phillips

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $108,545
    From this org
    $108,545
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    35

  • Mary Ann Borch

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sam Miller

    VICE-CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Susan Loughridge

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Billie Kariher

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • David Butcher

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Dr David Descutner

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lauren Dikis

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Dr Ana Rosado Feger

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Mike Ford

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sally Linder

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Dr Saumya Pant

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Keith Wilbur

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Katrina Carpenter

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Yi-Ting Wang

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Brian Vadakin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $12,796,752
    Expenses
    $11,415,459
    Contributions
    $12,142,537
    Grants paid
    $3,190,461
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $7,020,228
    Expenses
    $7,181,595
    Contributions
    $6,653,308
    Grants paid
    $1,239,769
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $5,315,874
    Expenses
    $5,045,717
    Contributions
    $5,010,290
    Grants paid
    $0

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
    $4,307,921
    Expenses
    $4,251,406
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,800,530

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,714,399
    Expenses
    $3,720,501
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,762,260

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,920,909
    Expenses
    $1,793,547
    Assets (EOY)
    $972,832

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,056,580
    Expenses
    $1,839,315
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,083,264

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $1,797,071
    Assets (EOY)
    $573,271

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.

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.

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 9 November 2026 and read 9 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.