2025-08-27T14:12:55-05:00 2024-12-31 010494526 Baker Newman & Noyes PO Box 507 Portland ME 04112 990 2024-01-01 932311046 Rural Youth Institute RURA 2077301154 PO Box 31 Yarmouth ME 04096 Erin Cinelli Treasurer 2077301154 2025-08-27 1 0 Connor Smart P02285543 2078792100 2025-08-27 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X Donald Carpenter PO Box 31 Yarmouth ME 04096 215437 0 X https://ruralyouthinstitute.org/ X 2023 ME Transform youth development in rural areas by bridging the gap between research and practice. 7 5 0 7 0 0 0 210250 0 1000 0 4187 0 0 0 215437 0 60000 0 0 0 0 0 0 210 0 25732 0 85732 0 129705 99166 228871 0 0 99166 228871 X The Rural Youth Institute is dedicated to enhancing rural youth development by strengthening the leadership and capacity of professionals working with young people. By bridging research and practice, the Rural Youth Institute seeks to innovate youth development by offering immersive learning labs, transformative research, comprehensive training and strategic advocacy to strengthen youth-serving organizations. By employing evidence-based strategies, the Rural Youth Institute aims to foster innovation in the youth development field to elevate the aspirations of rural youth. 0 0 81815 60000 1000 The Rural Youth Institute (the "Institute") employs evidence-based strategies, fosters innovation, and provides opportunities for young people in rural communities to explore pathways towards a successful future. The Institute operates as a think tank and a "do tank" by: - Collaborating with strategic partners, such as educational institutions, youth organizations, and community stakeholders; - Overseeing research, program development, and coordination throughout the region; and - Engaging and advocating for social changes that aligns with the Institute's mission and goals. For this initial year of operations, the Institute secured starter funding and began offering trainings and educational programming designed to help advance and develop rural Maine communities. 81815 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 7 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 ME X Erin Cinelli 2077301154 PO Box 31 Yarmouth ME 04096 Erin Cinelli Treasurer and Director 10.00 40.00 X X 0 89173 39102 Donald Carpenter President and Director 10.00 40.00 X X 0 155495 45331 Catharine Biddle Director 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jon Doty Director 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jason Judd Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kristy Ouellette Director 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 Owen McCarthy Secretary and Director 1.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 0 244668 84433 0 0 1 0 0 210250 210250 Training fees 611430 1000 1000 1000 4187 4187 215437 1000 0 4187 60000 60000 415 415 2100 2100 10138 10138 505 253 252 1486 743 743 1053 1053 10035 9628 197 210 85732 81815 3707 210 14166 44697 85000 184174 99166 228871 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 99166 228871 99166 228871 99166 228871 129705 0 X 0 0 0 X 103850 210250 314100 103850 210250 314100 294752 19348 4187 4187 318287 3755 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 University of Maine 16 Centeral Street Bangor ME 04401 016000769 GOV 20000 0 Seed funding grant - UMaine 4-H Learning Center at Tanglewood Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives 83 Morse Street Suite 6 Norwood MA 02062 815089505 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Seed funding grant Lubec Community Outreach Center PO Box 41 Lubec ME 04652 455414678 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Planning grant Knox County Homeless Coalition PO Box 1696 Rockland ME 04841 463136785 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Planning grant 4 0 Part I, Line 2: The Rural Youth Institute is dedicated to enhancing rural youth development by strengthening the leadership and capacity of professionals working with young people. By bridging research and practice, the Rural Youth Institute seeks to innovate youth development by offering immersive learning labs, transformative research, comprehensive training and strategic advocacy to strengthen youth-serving organizations. By employing evidence-based strategies, the Rural Youth Institute aims to foster innovation in the youth development field to elevate the aspirations of rural youth. As part of its efforts to develop opportunities and improve the lives of rural youth, the Organization presents and awards grants through the Aspiration Incubator Program. As part of this program, the Organization carefully selects a group of rural youth development organizations from across the State of Maine that exhibit and clear interest in creating new long-term youth development models or other opportunities within their communities. The Institute maintains a relationship with these organizations over the life of the grant to ensure the emerging needs of the community are addressed and so that feedback is gathered and implemented. More information regarding the grants program, as well as the Institute's Immersive Learning Labs, are available online at the following website: https://ruralyouthinstitute.org/immersive-learning-labs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Donald Carpenter President and Director 0 155495 0 0 0 0 0 14723 0 30608 0 200826 0 0 Part I, Line 3 As of the filing of this Form 990, the Rural Youth Institute (RYI) has not yet compensated any individuals or third-party organizations to serve as an engaged executive director or other top-management official. However, should such an arrangement occur at a future date, the Organization's board has adopted formal compensation and benefit review and approval procedures. Such procedures outline that any compensation and benefits paid in return of services shall be based on employment at will and in accordance with reasonable and appropriate rates based on the fair value of services rendered. Compensation and benefits paid to top management officials and such persons' performance will be subject to the review, oversight, and approval of the Board of Directors. The Organization is reporting compensation and benefits paid to certain Officers, Directors, and Trustees on this Form 990, Part VII, and on this Schedule J in accordance with IRS Instructions for compensation paid by related organizations. Such compensation and benefits was paid to these individuals in return for services rendered to and on behalf of those related organizations. Such individuals are not compensated or employed by the Rural Youth Institute. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 4 During the period covered by this Form 990, the Organization amended its Articles of Incorporation to change its name to the Rural Youth Institute. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The Form 990 is prepared by an outside independent accounting firm, then distributed to the full Board for their review and approval prior to filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Rural Youth Institute (RYI) Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the mission, integrity, and financial strength of RYI by setting general policies for the organization, delegating responsibility for day-to-day operations, overseeing the hiring, firing, and evaluation of the Executive Director (ED), supporting fundraising and development activities, providing financial oversight, and approving the annual budget. Board members are expected to contribute their fiduciary, participatory, and financial wisdom and experience, and this includes complete compliance with the Institute's adopted conflict-of-interest policy. As part of its conflict-of-interest policy, board members are expected to comply with the following procedures: 1. Duty to Disclose: In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the Board and members of committees considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. 2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists: After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, they shall leave the Board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining Board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. 3. An interested person may make a presentation at the Board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, they shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. The chairperson of the Board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. After exercising due diligence, the Board or committee shall determine whether RYI can obtain, with reasonable efforts, a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the Board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in RYI's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. If the Board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the Board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. If a potential violation of the conflict of interest policy occurs, the interested party will be given an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. After hearing such explanation, the Board will take appropriate disciplinary action. Conversations and dilliberations regarding potential conflicts-of-interest are recorded in the Board and committee minutes and records appropriate. To ensure RYI operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews of board members and their independence and potential conflicts shall be conducted. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 As of the filing of this Form 990, the Rural Youth Institute (RYI) has not yet compensated any individuals or third-party organizations to serve as an engaged executive director or other top-management official. However, should such an arrangement occur at a future date, the Organization's board has adopted formal compensation and benefit review and approval procedures. Such procedures outline that any compensation and benefits paid in return of services shall be based on employment at will and in accordance with reasonable and appropriate rates based on the fair value of services rendered. Compensation and benefits paid to top management officials and such persons' performance will be subject to the review, oversight, and approval of the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Organization makes all public documents related to its governance, formation, and finances available to the public upon request. Rural Futures Fund PO Box 10370 Portland ME 04104 208797462 Charitable grants ME 501(c)(3) PF N/A 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0