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Rural Community Action Ministry

EIN 23-7072697 · Leeds, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our purpose is to work with people to meet their needs for safe and adequate shelter, clothing, food and basic well-being in a manner that maintains or improves their self worth and dignity.

Income
$379,079
Spending
$345,751
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
8

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, 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. Homeless Prevention and Shelter Services - Our Shelter Services Coordinator assists those people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They determine needs and work to determine what kinds of assistance RCAM can provide. Example of services are eviction prevention, prevent electric service disconnection, partial rent payment or security deposit, heating fuelwinter months only, food pantry contact and where to find clothing and furniture. RCAM operates a two-unit duplex shelter for homeless families. The families may stay in the shelter for a limited time. The Transitional Unit is available to one family for up to two years. This family most often is one that has stayed for a bit of time at our homeless shelter and needs additional time to seek employment and all that is needed to sustain independence.
  2. Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Volunteers are a critical component of all RCAM services. From the immediate community to across the country, professionals and volunteers work to support and assist all RCAM services and people. Volunteers may work one-on-one with clients in their homes, or volunteers may come to us as a group from a business or church and spend the day or a week with us. The list of volunteer jobs is endless.
  3. Program Service Expenses 274,561, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Hunger Prevention services are made up of a gardening program and a hunger awareness/elimination activity. Our Gardening Service works to encourage and assist the elderly, disabled, and persons experiencing financial hardship to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition by helping them to grow and preserve their own food. This service offers seeds, seedlings, tilling, information, site visits, and consultation to support and encourage successful food production. Gardening services can also match new gardeners with experienced volunteer gardeners for additional support and assistance. RCAM is active in 4 Hunger Coalitions that address local food insecurity. These coalitions include members of the 13 communities served by RCAM. The coalition activities include weekend and summer food-availability for school-aged kids, community hunger resource awareness, and stabilizing food programs in the area.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1971.

    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.