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Organic Association of Kentucky

EIN 27-1207146 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES BY ADVANCING ORGANIC REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE TO GROW ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE, ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND SOCIALLY JUST FUTURES FOR KENTUCKY FARMERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MARKET RESOURCES.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
14
Highest pay
$99,050, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $208,777 spent. SOIL HEALTH PROJECT SUPPORTS KENTUCKY FARMERS IN ASSESSING AND IMPROVING THE BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE OF THEIR OPERATIONS. FARMER PARTICIPANTS USE OAKS FARM TOOL TO ASSESS WHOLE-FARM RESILIENCE. FARMERS, WITH SUPPORT FROM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE STAFF, DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE WHOLE-FARM RESILIENCE AND TO ALIGN FARM PRODUCTS AND ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS WITH EMERGING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES. INCENTIVES ARE PAID TO FARMERS FOR PARTICIPATION AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES.
  2. $282,196 spent. KENTUCKY FARM SHARE COALITION WORKPLACE WELLNESS CSA PROGRAM CONNECTS FARMS WITH EMPLOYERS TO OFFER EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) SHARE. EMPLOYER PARTNERS PAY OAK A SERVICE FEE AND MONIES THAT PASS ALONG TO PARTICIPATING FARMS FOR A PORTION OF THE CSA. ACTIVITIES DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS AND A NETWORK OF FARMERS WORKING TO ADVANCE LOCAL FOOD AS HEALTH PROGRAMS AND INCREASE FRESH FOOD ACCESS.
  3. $118,830 spent. ANNUAL ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCE PROVIDE AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN KENTUCKY FOR FARMERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON THE BENEFITS AND METHODS OF REGENERATIVE, ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.
  4. $369,094 spent. FIELD DAYS; GENERAL EDUCATION; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CONSERVATION, ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION ON-FARM FIELD DAYS AND FARMER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS TO HIGHLIGHT ORGANIC PRACTICES, CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE FARM RESILIENCE AND IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ORGANIC PRODUCTION, ORGANIC CERTIFICATION, CONSERVATION AND MARKETING.
  5. FIELD DAYS; GENERAL EDUCATION; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CONSERVATION, ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION ON-FARM FIELD DAYS AND FARMER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS TO HIGHLIGHT ORGANIC PRACTICES, CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE FARM RESILIENCE AND IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ORGANIC PRODUCTION, ORGANIC CERTIFICATION, CONSERVATION AND MARKETING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on September 15, 2015.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.