Nonprofit · EIN 38-2852975
RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL
Also known as TILLERS INTERNATIONAL
Tax-exempt · SCOTTS, MI 49088
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $856,661 | $705,170 | $151,491 | $2,473,293 | $284,431 | $2,188,862 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $588,515 | $918,030 | -$329,515 | $2,294,215 | $257,298 | $2,036,917 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $1,246,227 | $905,732 | $340,495 | $2,554,889 | $187,264 | $2,367,625 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $499,480
- Program service revenue
- $119,285
- Investment income
- $237,504
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $237,502
- Other revenue
- $392
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $357,436
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $409,017
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $39,655
- Occupancy
- $41,647
- Travel
- $2,905
- Depreciation
- $60,095
- Program services (functional)
- $440,252
- Management and general (functional)
- $221,191
- Fundraising (functional)
- $43,727
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $2,294,215
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,473,293
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $284,431
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,188,862
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,039,133
- Publicly traded securities
- $814
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,081,776
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $107,086
- Gross receipts
- $943,589
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 15
- Year formed
- 1981
- State of legal domicile
- MI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC LAFARY | FORMER EXECU Former | 40 | $113,405 |
| RICK ESHUIS | INTERIM DIRE Trustee or director | 40 | $64,951 |
| KEVIN BARNES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BLAIR BATES | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RUTH BURKE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB COLLINS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KRISTINA LEMMER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TSHEPO MATHEKGA | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS NEHIL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD ROOSENBERG | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETE WATSON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MEGAN YANKEE | EXECUTIVE DI Trustee or director | 40 | $0 |
| KATE CAGNEY | VICE CHAIR Officer | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN BARNES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BLAIR BATES | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RUTH BURKE | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATE CAGNEY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB COLLINS | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICK ESHUIS | INTERIM DIRE Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CHRISTINA LEMMER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TSHEPO MATHEKGA | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS NEHIL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD ROOSENBERG | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETE WATSON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN BARNES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BLAIR BATES | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DONALD BATTS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATE CAGNEY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROB COLLINS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ERIC L EISHEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICK ESHUIS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SUE SHINK JD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID KRAMER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| THOMAS NEHIL | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD ROOSENBERG | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PETE WATSON | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DANIEL WENGERD | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 10515 OP AVE E, SCOTTS, MI 49088-9307
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ROB COLLINS, 10515 EAST OP AVE, SCOTTS, MI 49088
- Signed the 990
- MEGAN YANKEE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (269) 626-0223
- Website
- TILLERSINTERNATIONAL.ORG
- Return prepared by
- FLEGAL & MELNIK
Mission
RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL (DBA TILLERS INTERNATIONAL) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING HERITAGE SKILLS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT AGRICULTURE THROUGH HANDS-ON EDUCATION. WE EMPOWER COMMUNITIES LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY BY TEACHING LOW-CAPITAL, ANIMAL-POWERED FARMING TECHNIQUES AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, BRIDGING HISTORICAL WISDOM WITH MODERN INNOVATIONS TO ENSURE LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND RURAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
Program accomplishments
- THE MISSION OF RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL (DBA TILLERS INTERNATIONAL) IS TO PRESERVE, STUDY, AND TEACH HERITAGE SKILLS AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. WE FULFILL THIS MISSION BY PROVIDING HANDS-ON EDUCATION IN TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL METHODS, ANIMAL TRACTION, AND HERITAGE CRAFTS. BY CONNECTING THE WISDOM OF THE PAST WITH MODERN INNOVATIONS, WE WORK TO ENSURE LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF MATERIAL CULTURE BOTH LOCALLY AND IN DEVELOPING NATIONS WORLDWIDE.Expenses $440,252 · revenue $119,285
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 38-2852975
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1989
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- International, foreign affairs and national security (Q310)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,473,293
- Income (IRS master file)
- $943,589
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $856,661 | $705,170 | $2,473,293 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $588,515 | $918,030 | $2,294,215 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $1,246,227 | $905,732 | $2,554,889 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $817,054 | $865,397 | $2,262,145 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 38-2852975).
Questions about RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL
- What is the EIN of RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL is 38-2852975.
- Is RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1989.
- Are donations to RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names ROB COLLINS.
- Who are the officers and directors of RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 13 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $113,405 (ERIC LAFARY, FORMER EXECU).
- How much revenue does RURAL FUTURES INTERNATIONAL have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $856,661, expenses of $705,170 and total assets of $2,473,293 at year end.
Other nonprofits in SCOTTS
- PRIDE OF SCOTTS COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION EIN 38-2699973 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF MICHIGAN EIN 23-7632217 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- SCOTTS OLDE TYME POWER AND EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION EIN 26-3878113 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- ALL SPECIES CONSERVATION CLUB EIN 86-3779211 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- TOBEY ELEMENTARY PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION EIN 38-3063664 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- CLIMAX-SCOTTS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION EIN 93-3775147 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CLIMAX-SCOTTS PTO EIN 83-0618198 · last filed 990-N for 2025
All nonprofits in SCOTTS · Michigan · International, foreign affairs and national security