Rural Action is a membership-based nonprofit organization based in Appalachian Ohio. Since 1991 our mission has been to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets and supporting healthy environments, thriving communities, and local leadership.
Rural Action Inc moves money through a pass-through model tied to Appalachian Ohio’s economy and environment. The largest recent grant in the data was $2,762,641 to Mountain Association in Berea, Kentucky, followed by a $388,448 grant to Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc in Athens, Ohio. Those awards sit alongside smaller payments to organizations working on recycling, workforce pathways, community health, food systems, and local leadership. The foundation’s giving reflects a broad regional agenda rather than a single program line. Recent grantees include Building Bridges to Careers in Marietta, Southeast Ohio Hope Center in Nelsonville, Passion Works in Athens, and Coalfield Development Corporation in Huntington, West Virginia. That mix points to support for economic development, community infrastructure, and practical services in places shaped by rural Appalachian conditions. Rural Action Inc also shows repeated support for the same organizations over multiple years, including Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc, Ohio University Bursar Office, Community Food Initiative, Appalachian Sustainable Development, United Plant Savers, and Passion Works. The pattern suggests an ongoing intermediary role, with grants used to channel resources to local partners across Ohio and neighboring Appalachian communities.
In rural economic development, Rural Action Inc backed Building Bridges to Careers with $113,729 in 2024 and $81,621 in 2025, and gave $19,458 to Southern Perry Incubator for Community Entrepreneurs in New Straitsville. Those awards align with a region-wide emphasis on local leadership and community-based economic activity. Environmental and land-use work is another clear thread. United Plant Savers in Rutland received $23,583 in 2024 and $12,942 in 2025, while Appalachian Sustainable Development in Bristol, Virginia received $22,232 in 2025 and $15,839 in 2024. The presence of these repeat awards points to sustained support for ecological and agricultural practices. The foundation also funds food, recycling, and community well-being. Community Food Initiative in Athens received $29,828 in 2024 and $16,706 in 2025, and Athens Hocking Recycling Center received $83,193 in 2024. Southeast Ohio Hope Center in Nelsonville received $39,540 in 2025.
$3.2M
$4.3M
$12.8M
$11.4M
Most grants fall between $20K and $57K, with a median of $24K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$24K
75th Percentile
$57K
DEBBIE PHILLIPS
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Typical grant size clusters in the low tens of thousands: the 25th percentile is $19,744, the median is $23,583, and the 75th percentile is $56,510. The recent grants list also shows a wide spread, from small awards to one very large pass-through grant. Recurrence is common: several organizations appear in more than one year, including Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc, Ohio University Bursar Office, Community Food Initiative, Appalachian Sustainable Development, United Plant Savers, and Passion Works. The structure is an intermediary/pass-through model rather than direct individual support, and the organization also makes program-related investments.
Grant activity is highly concentrated in Ohio: 91% of grants go to recipients in the state, and Ohio is the top state by grant count. Athens appears repeatedly, with grants to Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc, Athens Hocking Recycling Center, Community Food Initiative, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development, Live Healthy Appalachia, and Passion Works. Other Ohio recipient cities include Marietta, Nelsonville, Rutland, New Straitsville, Columbus, and The Plains regionally. Outside Ohio, recipients include Berea, Kentucky; Huntington, West Virginia; and Bristol, Virginia.
The grants show consistent support for rural economic development, community infrastructure, food systems, recycling, environmental work, and local leadership in Appalachian Ohio. Named recipients include Building Bridges to Careers, Athens Hocking Recycling Center, Community Food Initiative, and United Plant Savers.
Yes. 91% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and Ohio is the top state by grant count. Recent Ohio recipients include organizations in Athens, Marietta, Nelsonville, Rutland, New Straitsville, Columbus, and The Plains-area communities.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $19,744, median is $23,583, and p75 is $56,510. The recent list also includes both smaller awards and a much larger pass-through grant.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc, Ohio University Bursar Office, Community Food Initiative, Appalachian Sustainable Development, United Plant Savers, and Passion Works.
No. The profile indicates that it does not fund individuals. The grant record instead shows organizational support, including pass-through grants and program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Association | Berea, KY | $2,762,641 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Ohio University Bursar Office | Columbus, OH | $134,465 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Building Bridges to Careers | Marietta, OH | $81,621 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Coalfield Development Corporation | Huntington, WV | $49,579 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Southeast Ohio Hope Center | Nelsonville, OH | $39,540 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Passion Works | Athens, OH | $38,700 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc | Athens, OH | $25,205 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Appalachian Sustainable Development | Bristol, VA | $22,232 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Community Food Initiative | Athens, OH | $16,706 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| United Plant Savers | Rutland, OH | $12,942 | 2025 | Pass through to organization. |
| Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc | Athens, OH | $388,448 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Building Bridges to Careers | Marietta, OH | $113,729 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Athens Hocking Recycling Center | Athens, OH | $83,193 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Community Food Initiative | Athens, OH | $29,828 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development | Athens, OH | $26,744 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| United Plant Savers | Rutland, OH | $23,583 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Live Healthy Appalachia | Athens, OH | $22,976 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Ohio University Bursar Office | Columbus, OH | $20,031 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Southern Perry Incubator for Community Entrepreneurs | New Straitsville, OH | $19,458 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Appalachian Sustainable Development | Bristol, VA | $15,839 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
| Passion Works | Athens, OH | $7,000 | 2024 | Pass through to the organization. |
Mountain Association
$2,762,641Pass through to organization.
Ohio University Bursar Office
$134,465Pass through to organization.
Building Bridges to Careers
$81,621Pass through to organization.
Coalfield Development Corporation
$49,579Pass through to organization.
Southeast Ohio Hope Center
$39,540Pass through to organization.
Passion Works
$38,700Pass through to organization.
Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc
$25,205Pass through to organization.
Appalachian Sustainable Development
$22,232Pass through to organization.
Community Food Initiative
$16,706Pass through to organization.
United Plant Savers
$12,942Pass through to organization.
Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Inc
$388,448Pass through to the organization.
Building Bridges to Careers
$113,729Pass through to the organization.
Athens Hocking Recycling Center
$83,193Pass through to the organization.
Community Food Initiative
$29,828Pass through to the organization.
Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
$26,744Pass through to the organization.
United Plant Savers
$23,583Pass through to the organization.
Live Healthy Appalachia
$22,976Pass through to the organization.
Ohio University Bursar Office
$20,031Pass through to the organization.
Southern Perry Incubator for Community Entrepreneurs
$19,458Pass through to the organization.
Appalachian Sustainable Development
$15,839Pass through to the organization.
Passion Works
$7,000Pass through to the organization.
Current and upcoming funding from Rural Action that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Interested landowners in Ohio; assistance may vary based on demonstrated need.
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