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Renewing the Countryside II

EIN 20-0189339 · Hammond, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE STRENGTHENS RURAL AREAS BY CHAMPIONING AND SUPPORTING RURAL COMMUNITIES, FARMERS, ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, EDUCATORS, ACTIVISTS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES, BUSINESSES, AND PROJECTS. WE DO THIS BY SHARING STORIES OF RURAL RENEWAL, BUILDING AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVORS, CONNECTING PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO EACH OTHER, PROVIDING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WORKING TO IMPROVE RURAL AMERICA, AND FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL PEOPLE.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
22
Volunteers
180
Highest pay
$90,206, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. COMMUNITY AND FARMER DEVELOPMENTRTC COORDINATES EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING ACTIVITIES FOR BEGINNINGFARMERS. WE MANAGE AND GROW THE FARMLAND ACCESS HUB, A MULTI-STATENETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS WORKING COLLABORATIVELY ON FARMLAND ACCESS FORBEGINNING FARMERS AND TRANSITIONS FOR RETIRING FARMERS. WE PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION:THROUGH THE ECOEXPERIENCE EXHIBIT AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR WHERE WE BRING INFORMATION AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING TO THE 250,000 ATTENDEES FROM MN AND BEYOND THAT ATTEND EVERY YEAR. WITH ""COME AND GET IT"", WE ARE ASSISTING 9 MN COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP ON-FARM EVENTS THAT CONNECT FARMERS TO CONSUMERS, AND RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS. IN OUR URBAN AG WORK WE PROVIDE GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE TO URBAN FARMERS AND GARDENERS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR OPERATIONS.
  2. $272,559 spent. CONSERVATIONRTC ASSISTS FARMERS IN CONNECTING WITH USDA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, SUCH AS LOANS OFFERED BY THE FARM SERVICE AGENCY AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAMS. AS OF THE END OF 2024 WE HAVE ASSISTED OVER 240 FARMERS, PROVIDING COACHING VIA A TEAM OF COMMUNITY CONNECTORS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT, WORKSHOPS, FARM TOURS,AND NETWORKING. WE EMPOWER WOMEN THROUGH THE SOIL SISTERS AND WOMEN IN CONSERVATION PROJECTS, RECENTLY EXPANDED INTO MN. WE ARE BRINGING SHARED ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS TO URBAN COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINI FORESTS, WITH ONE COMPLETED AND TWO IN PLANNING PHASES.
  3. $810,795 spent. LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMWE WORK TO DEVELOP SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT A ROBUST LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. RTCOFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL AND MID-SIZEDFARMERS AND FOOD BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS WHO ARE INCORPORATINGLOCAL FOODS INTO THEIR MENUS AND ONTO THEIR SHELVES. WE SUPPORT SIXREGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS HUBS, EXPANDING OPERATIONS THROUGH PRODUCTAGGREGATION AND SALES TO INDIVIDUALS CONSUMERS, WHOLESALE ANDINSTITUTIONAL BUYERS. WE ARE A PARTNER IN THE ARTISAN GRAINCOLLABORATIVE, WORKING TO DEVELOP SHORT, VALUES-BASED SUPPLY CHAINS,WITH A GOAL TO INCORPORATE MORE SMALL AND ARTISAN GRAINS IN THE UPPERMIDWEST LANDSCAPE. AS CO-FOUNDER OF THE FEAST! NETWORK, WE COORDINATE THE FEAST! LOCAL FOODS MARKETPLACE IN ROCHESTER, MN, AS WELL AS AN ANNUALTRADESHOW CONNECTING FOODMAKERS TO WHOLESALE BUYERS, AND PRODUCE ANANNUAL LOCAL FEAST! MAGAZINE. WE WORK WITH FARMERS, PROCESSORS ANDSPECIALTY FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO INCREASE THEIR USE OF LOCAL FARMS ANDBOLSTER THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR LOCAL FOOD IN OUR REGION, IN 2024 DEVELOPING A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON BUILDING CAPACITY FOR FUNCTIONAL BERRIES. ADEDICTATED STAFF TEAM MAKES CONNECTIONS THROUGH FARM TO EARLY CARE ANDFARM TO SCHOOL AND INSTITUTION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SUPPORTING COMMUNITYGARDENS AND HOME-BASED DAY CARES IN ST PAUL AND OFFERING EDUCATION ANDFUN PROJECTS TO GET CHILDREN EXCITED ABOUT GROWING AND EATING LOCALFRUITS AND VEGETABLES, INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL CSA FARM BOXES TO 10 ST PAUL DAY CARE CENTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.