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Kenya Keys

EIN 27-1907027 · Lake Grove, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Kenya Keys provides educational sponsorship, support & resources to empower disadvantaged students in rural Kenya to improve their lives & communities.

Income
$819,690
Spending
$930,566
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
6
Volunteers
58
Highest pay
$49,999, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $321,314 spent. Sponsorship and Education Supports: More than 435 students from rural Kenya are sponsored to go to high school & post secondary school programs.As well as tuition & fees, we cover basic necessities: clothing, food, toiletries, female sanitary kits, transportation etc & support in terms of mentor ship, conferences & access to libraries with books & laptops.
  2. $281,851 spent. Program Operations: Grants to our Kenyan NGO affiliate include: Hope Springs - 4 mentors who offer after school mentor ship to at-risk middle schoolers; Library support of books & funds to 10 primary & 4 secondary school libraries & a community library staffed & stocked with books; GED classes for adults inc. teachers, study materials, lunch & test fees covered; Special Needs school financial support & annual Special Olympics; & funds raised to build classrooms, desks & latrines.
  3. $120,971 spent. Infrastructure Program: We are in the process of building a Community Education Center next to the headquarters which will include a library, computer lab/classroom, conference space, football pitch etc that will be open to the community as a free resource for all.
  4. $117,430 spent. The KK NGO Operation Program: Included in grants to our Kenyan NGO affiliate are expenses for 13 program staff salaries, capacity-building, rent, utilities, transportation, office equipment, phones & building maintenance etc.Volunteers - Kenya Keys had 58 volunteers in 2023 contributing 5001 hours of service. Thirty-six staff and students from Weber State University donated 3240 hours of service toward the design and building of the Community Education Center (CEC). A volunteer provided hours of consultation on the construction of the CEC. Two board members provided in-kind legal services, while other members managed a book drive for the library, made feminine hygiene kits for students, managed sponsor renewals, and shopped for and prepared student laptops for dissemination. Other volunteers traveled to Kenya to support staff efforts, evaluate programs, and help with student interviews. Additional hours were donated to write student bios, take and edit student photos/videos, process student letters to their sponsors, and recruit new sponsors.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 2024.

    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 September 2010.

    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.