What Rural & Migrant Ministry does

Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, that supports rural and farmworking families across New York State through education, advocacy, and economic empowerment. The organization operates four Worker Education Centers — Cornwall-on-Hudson (Hudson Valley), Lyons (Finger Lakes/Western New York), South Fallsburg (Catskills), and Riverhead (Long Island) — and runs five core program areas: Accompaniment, Rural Academy of the People (popular/adult education), Youth Empowerment (including the Youth Arts Group, Youth Economic Group, Justice Organization of Youth, Voices of Long Island Youth, and the Summer Overnight Leadership Camp), the Immigrant Legal Rights Project, and the Community Good Episcopal Federal Credit Union initiative. Its underlying operating methodology is "Popular Education," a participatory learning framework rooted in Paulo Freire's pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, with programs initiated and designed by rural grass-roots leaders rather than external staff. Revenue is generated entirely through private donations, foundation and government grants (including NYS Council on the Arts and Clinton Global Initiative), faith-community partnerships, and fundraising events such as the Harvesting Justice Dinner and Voices of Hope Festival Concert; no fees are charged to beneficiaries. Notable partnerships include the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Clinton Foundation, UFCW/RWDSU-sponsored Trabajadores Agricolas Unidos, NYS AFL-CIO, and multiple colleges including Hobart and William Smith. The organization holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and was recognized by USA Today and ABC-TV in 2025.

Name

Rural & Migrant Ministry

Legal name

Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc.

Website

https://ruralmigrantministry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rural & Migrant Ministry is a New York State 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving farmworking and rural families through four Worker Education Centers, delivering youth leadership, popular adult education, immigrant legal services, and financial equity programs funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Rural community advocacy
• Migrant farmworker services
• Youth empowerment programs
• Popular adult education
• Immigrant legal rights

Headquarters

HQ city

Cornwall On Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: RMM relies heavily on private donations from individuals, congregations, and community members to fund programs. The organization is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS Code 501(c)(3), Tax ID No. 22-2527596, eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: RMM receives grants from foundations and government sources including the New York State Council on the Arts. The organization was chosen by the Clinton Foundation to partner with Clinton Global Initiative for establishing a federal credit union.
3. Summer Program Fundraising: RMM raises over $100,000 annually from private sources specifically to offer summer programs including Overnight Leadership Camp and Summer Day Programs.
4. Community Events and Fundraisers: Annual fundraising events including Harvesting Justice Dinner, Coffee House events, and Voices of Hope Festival Concert.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers education, youth leadership development, advocacy, and immigrant legal rights services to rural and farmworking families across four regions of New York State. Programs are operated through Worker Education Centers and include the Rural Academy of the People, Youth Empowerment programs, the Immigrant Legal Rights Project, and the Community Good Episcopal Federal Credit Union partnership. Services are provided free of charge, funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Rural & Migrant Ministry is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered on advocacy, education, youth development, and economic empowerment for rural and farmworking families in New York. The organization operates five main program areas: Accompaniment (Standing With Others), Rural Academy of the People (Popular Education), Youth Empowerment, Immigrant Legal Rights Project, and Community Good Federal Credit Union. The Youth Empowerment program includes multiple sub-programs including Youth Arts Group (YAG), Youth Economic Group (YEG), Justice Organization of Youth (JOY), Voices of Long Island Youth (VOLIY), Summer Overnight Leadership Camp, Summer Day Programs, and Artists in Residence. The organization also supports cooperative businesses including Bags for Justice, Long Island Farmworker Cooperative, Las Chefs Latinas, and Cociendo Culturas. Media offerings include the Empathy and Action Podcast. The organization operates Worker Education Centers in Cornwall-on-Hudson (Hudson Valley), Lyons (Finger Lakes/Western NY), South Fallsburg (Catskills), and Riverhead (Long Island).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Empowerment Program (YEP): Programs supporting young, emerging leaders in rural New York including Youth Arts Group (YAG), Youth Economic Group (YEG), Justice Organization of Youth (JOY), and Voices of Long Island Youth (VOLIY)
• Rural Academy of the People (RAP)
• Immigrant Legal Rights Project
• Community Good Episcopal Federal Credit Union
• Summer Overnight Leadership Camp
• Empathy and Action Podcast
• Justice for Farmworkers Campaign

Products and services

• Accompaniment (Standing With Others) Standing with farmworkers and rural families in their quest for systemic change in rural New York through accompaniment, coalition-building, and direct support.
• Rural Academy of the People (RAP) Adult education programs offered through Centers and online, using participatory popular education methodology to help rural leaders develop skills for systemic change; includes ESL/literacy classes, Know Your Rights workshops, and cooperative development.
• Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) Federation of programs supporting young emerging leaders in rural New York including Youth Arts Group, Youth Economic Group, Justice Organization of Youth, and Voices of Long Island Youth.
• Immigrant Legal Rights Project Assists immigrants in protecting their legal rights through popular education, impact litigation, and legislation, helping them navigate legal systems, police, workplace, and school systems.
• Community Good Federal Credit Union Initiative Pioneering financial equity initiative with the Community Good Episcopal Federal Credit Union to establish financial stability among rural and farmworking families facing barriers to mainstream financial services.
• Summer Overnight Leadership Camp Week-long overnight camp in Hudson Valley welcoming up to 100 children ages 8-17 from across rural New York, featuring theme-based activities, arts, and leadership development.
• Summer Day Programs Two-week day programs at RMM centers serving approximately 100 middle school-aged children each summer.
• Rural Women's Assembly Established 20 years ago for rural women facing barriers of poverty, prejudice, language, isolation, and lack of skills; addresses gender violence and gaps in support systems.
• Bags for Justice Cooperative Youth-owned cooperative managed by the Youth Economic Group producing screen-printed tote bags and apparel; teaches public speaking, marketing, time management, communication, design, and silkscreen production.
• Long Island Farmworker Cooperative Cooperative of nursery workers in eastern Long Island with a greenhouse in Brentwood growing plants and vegetables.
• Empathy and Action Podcast Podcast series featuring stories from past and present holding up the resilience, struggles, and positive impact of rural communities and immigrants in New York State, hosted by Dr. Jennifer Rogers-Brown.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95%+ college matriculation rate among Youth Arts Group graduates
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Clinton Global Initiative / Clinton FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RMM was chosen by the Clinton Foundation (founded by Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton) to partner with Clinton Global Initiative specifically for establishing a federal credit union for rural and farmworking families in New York. This is a flagship partnership providing significant visibility and resources.
• Episcopal Diocese of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Episcopal Diocese of New York to establish the Community Good Episcopal Federal Credit Union for financial equity among rural and farmworking families. The Diocese provides institutional backing and support for this pioneering financial inclusion initiative.
• Grace! Church (Lyons)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly Justice Celebration partnership with Grace! in Lyons hosting diverse community gatherings with food, storytelling, and performances. Grace! also provides home to Liturgia Rural Worker Education Center.
• Trabajadores Agricolas Unidos (TAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with TAU, an effort sponsored by UFCW and RWDSU, to implement the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act and support union solidarity efforts.
• Worker Justice Center of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with legal services organization for impact litigation and advocacy for farmworker rights. Collaborated on Farmworker Albany Day and other legislative initiatives.
• Hobart and William Smith CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege students participate in Alternative Spring Break program. MoonFlower jazz trio composed of college students performs at Justice Celebrations. Faculty and students support RMM programs.
• Sisters of Saint JosephminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSisters of Saint Joseph provided greenhouse space in Brentwood for Long Island Farmworker Cooperative. The Sisters of St. Joseph Villa in Hampton Bays hosts Cultivating Justice Lunch.
• NYSUT (New York State United Teachers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBags for Justice cooperative is an affiliate of NYSUT, connecting youth economic programs to broader labor education network.
• Interfaith Center of New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ICNY, led by Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, working with grass-roots and immigrant faith leaders across New York for rapid response and accompaniment.
• NY State AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner on Farmworker Albany Day, working with labor federation and allied organizations to advance farmworker rights legislation.
• Hitchcock Presbyterian Church and St. James the Less (Scarsdale)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsors annual Coffee House fundraiser featuring talented youth and community members. Long-standing partnership since 2007.
• Las Chefs LatinascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen-owned cooking cooperative in Finger Lakes that provides catering for Justice Celebrations. Part of RMM's cooperative development portfolio supporting economic justice.
• Temple Sinai (Rochester)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Good Friday Prayer Vigil 2026 at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Irondequoit Border Patrol Station with Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CATA (The Farmworker Support Committee): New Jersey/Mid-Atlantic migrant farmworker organization combining popular education, legal support, and cooperative development. Closely comparable methodology to RMM's popular education and worker cooperative approach.
• Worker Justice Center of New York: New York-based legal services organization for worker rights, including impact litigation for farmworkers. Direct peer and active RMM partner in impact litigation and Farmworker Albany Day.
• National Farm Worker Ministry: Faith-based national organization supporting farmworker justice and partnering with farmworker unions. Direct peer in mission, faith-rooted advocacy, and farmworker communities across multiple states.
• Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM): Migrant worker rights organization providing legal services and advocacy to farmworkers along the East Coast. Direct peer in legal rights, migrant farmworker base, and rural worker education.
• Farmworker Justice: National advocacy and policy organization for farmworker rights, focused on immigration, labor protections, and health. Direct peer in farmworker legislative advocacy and federal policy engagement.

Others

• Hispanics in Philanthropy: National philanthropic network mobilizing resources to Latino-led and immigrant-serving organizations. Indirect comparable as a potential funder and field-builder for RMM's constituency and model.

Regional players

• Border Agricultural Workers Project: Texas-based nonprofit serving migrant farmworkers along the border with ESL, legal services, and worker education. Comparable migrant farmworker services model in a different region.

Emerging players

• National Domestic Workers Alliance: Coalition advocating for the rights of domestic workers, including migrant caregivers. Partial overlap with RMM's migrant worker advocacy and cooperative economic-empowerment model.

Broad incumbents

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): International refugee resettlement and immigrant services organization with significant U.S. footprint. Comparable mission in immigrant legal services and community integration through popular/grassroots education.
• United Farm Workers (UFW): Largest and most established U.S. farmworker labor union, with broader national scope and historical legislative impact (e.g., California's ALRA). Comparable mission in farmworker labor rights but at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAxHPMRJ3UTc5AfR0fDB5Sw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/ruralmigrantministry
• Instagraminstagram.com/ruralmigrant/?hl=en
• Xx.com/rmm_ny

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rural & Migrant Ministry