Rural Futures Fund
Rural Futures Fund faces severe financial decline with consistent multi-year operating deficits and rapidly depleting assets.
EIN: 208797462 · Portland, ME · NTEE: T12 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $67K |
| Total Expenses | $657K |
| Program Spending | 70% |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Transparency Score | 30/100 |
Is Rural Futures Fund Legit?
Significant Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Rural Futures Fund directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Rural Futures Fund
Rural Futures Fund (EIN: 208797462) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME, classified under NTEE code T12. The organization reported total revenue of $67K and total assets of $768K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Rural Futures Fund's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Rural Futures Fund is a micro nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2012–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -9.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $144K |
| Total Expenses | $657K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-513,035 |
| Total Assets | $1.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $1 |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Operating Margin | -355.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 24.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Rural Futures Fund reported a deficit of $513K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 24.1 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 9 years of filings (2012–2023), Rural Futures Fund's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +120.4% | -38.9% | -28.9% |
| 2022 | -82.8% | -0.7% | -38.1% |
| 2021 | +14.4% | -1.1% | -21.3% |
| 2020 | -64.9% | -7.6% | -19.7% |
| 2019 | -36.4% | +49.0% | -43.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Rural Futures Fund with a Mission Score of 30 out of 100 (Poor). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Rural Futures Fund allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $513K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits are paid to its officers. This is a positive sign for resource allocation, especially given the organization's financial challenges.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Rural Futures Fund's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent and significant operating deficits (e.g., $144k revenue vs. $657k expenses in 2023).
- Rapid and substantial decline in total assets (from $8.3M in 2015 to $1.3M in 2023).
- Expenses consistently exceeding revenue by large margins over multiple years.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Rural Futures Fund:
- 0% reported officer compensation, indicating no executive salaries or benefits are paid.
- Long filing history (9 filings) suggests consistent reporting to the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rural Futures Fund
Is Rural Futures Fund a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rural Futures Fund (EIN: 208797462) significant concerns. Mission Score: 30/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Rural Futures Fund spend its money?
Rural Futures Fund directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Rural Futures Fund tax-deductible?
Rural Futures Fund is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208797462). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Rural Futures Fund's spending goes to programs?
Rural Futures Fund directs 70% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This meets the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Rural Futures Fund compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 30/100 (Poor), Rural Futures Fund is below average for NTEE category T12 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Rural Futures Fund located?
Rural Futures Fund is headquartered in Portland, Maine and files with the IRS under EIN 208797462. It is classified under NTEE code T12.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Rural Futures Fund have?
Rural Futures Fund has 9 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $67K in total revenue.
How does Rural Futures Fund plan to address its significant and ongoing operating deficits?
The organization has consistently spent far more than its revenue, with expenses exceeding revenue by over $500,000 in 2023 and over $1,000,000 in 2022. A clear strategy for financial sustainability is urgently needed.
What is the breakdown of expenses (program, administrative, fundraising) for Rural Futures Fund?
Without this detailed breakdown, it's difficult to assess spending efficiency and ensure that the majority of funds are directed towards programmatic activities, especially given the overall high expenses relative to revenue.
What is the source of funding that has allowed the organization to cover its large operating deficits, and is it sustainable?
The rapid decline in assets from $8.3 million in 2015 to $1.3 million in 2023 suggests the organization has been drawing heavily from its reserves to cover expenses, which is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Rural Futures Fund showing financial trends over 9 years of public records:
Over 9 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2023), Rural Futures Fund's revenue has declined by 65.2%, moving from $415K to $144K. Total assets decreased by 79.2% over the same period, from $6.3M to $1.3M. Total functional expenses fell by 7.9%, from $714K to $657K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Rural Futures Fund reported a deficit of $513K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1 in liabilities against $1.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.0%), resulting in net assets of $1.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $144K | $657K | $1.3M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $65K | $1.1M | $1.9M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $380K | $1.1M | $3.0M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $332K | $1.1M | $3.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $948K | $1.2M | $4.7M | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.5M | $796K | $8.4M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $827K | $965K | $7.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $373K | $1.0M | $6.8M | $1 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $415K | $714K | $6.3M | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $144K, expenses of $657K, and assets of $1.3M (revenue +120.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $65K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -82.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $380K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +14.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $332K, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue -64.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $948K, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $4.7M (revenue -36.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $796K, and assets of $8.4M (revenue +80.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $827K, expenses of $965K, and assets of $7.8M (revenue +121.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $373K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $6.8M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $415K, expenses of $714K, and assets of $6.3M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Rural Futures Fund:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Rural Futures Fund is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.