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Leadership Kentucky Foundation Inc

EIN 31-1096215 · Frankfort, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BROADENS THE PERSPECTIVES OF CURRENT AND EMERGING LEADERS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES THEM TO ADVANCE KENTUCKY.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$848,211
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
6
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$209,435, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 30 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, 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 (3)
  1. $276,892 spent. THE CORE LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1985 AND BRINGS TOGETHER A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO POSSESS A BROAD VARIETY OF LEADERSHIP ABILITIES, CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO COMPLEX ISSUES FACING THE STATE. THROUGH A SERIES OF SEVEN MONTHLY, THREE DAY SESSIONS, HELD IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE STATE, OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND ITS CHALLENGES. THEY MEET AND TALK WITH KENTUCKY'S CURRENT LEADERS, AND THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, EXPLORE THE STATE'S OPPORTUNITIES, NEEDS AND RESOURCES. KENTUCKY'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS UNIQUE DIVERSITY ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM THAT FEATURES THE STATE'S ECONOMY, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, LAW AND JUSTICE, MILITARY, NATURAL RESOURCES, ARTS, GOVERNMENT, AND TOURISM. IN ADDITION, LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY PROVIDES A THOUGHT-PROVOKING EXPERIENCE FOCUSING ON THE ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LEADER. BY VISITING VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, CLASS PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP AN ENHANCED VIEW AND A NEW MEANING TO THE WORD COMMUNITY THAT SPANS THE ENTIRE STATE.DURING 2022, LKY LED A CLASS OF 51 LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO FULFILL ITS MISSION. LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY'S SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY TUITION OF 3,500 FOR 2022. FOR THIS INVESTMENT, THE PARTICIPANT AND THEIR SPONSORING BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION SEES A RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT IN EXPERT SPEAKERS, BOOKS, PROGRAM CONTENT, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION AND VENUE ADMISSIONS. ADDITIONAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS SEEN THROUGH THE CLASS CONTENT AS THEY LEARN FIRSTHAND THE COMPLEX CRITICAL ISSUES FACING KENTUCKY AND ITS CITIZENS; THEIR BROADENED CIRCLE OF CONTACTS AND NEW ALLIANCES BUILT ACROSS THE STATE; THEY ARE EDUCATED, PREPARED AND INSPIRED TO RETURN TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES AND ACHIEVE AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN A UNITED EFFORT TO MAKE KENTUCKY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS. THE CORE LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1985 AND BRINGS TOGETHER A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO POSSESS A BROAD VARIETY OF LEADERSHIP ABILITIES, CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO COMPLEX ISSUES FACING THE STATE. THROUGH A SERIES OF SEVEN MONTHLY, THREE DAY SESSIONS, HELD IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE STATE, OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND ITS CHALLENGES. THEY MEET AND TALK WITH KENTUCKY'S CURRENT LEADERS, AND THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, EXPLORE THE STATE'S OPPORTUNITIES, NEEDS AND RESOURCES. KENTUCKY'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS UNIQUE DIVERSITY ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM THAT FEATURES THE STATE'S ECONOMY, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, LAW AND JUSTICE, MILITARY, NATURAL RESOURCES, ARTS, GOVERNMENT, AND TOURISM. IN ADDITION, LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY PROVIDES A THOUGHT-PROVOKING EXPERIENCE FOCUSING ON THE ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LEADER. BY VISITING VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, CLASS PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP AN ENHANCED VIEW AND A NEW MEANING TO THE WORD COMMUNITY THAT SPANS THE ENTIRE STATE.DURING 2022, LKY LED A CLASS OF 51 LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO FULFILL ITS MISSION. LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY'S SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY TUITION OF 3,500 FOR 2022. FOR THIS INVESTMENT, THE PARTICIPANT AND THEIR SPONSORING BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION SEES A RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT IN EXPERT SPEAKERS, BOOKS, PROGRAM CONTENT, MEALS, TRANSPORTATION AND VENUE ADMISSIONS. ADDITIONAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS SEEN THROUGH THE CLASS CONTENT AS THEY LEARN FIRSTHAND THE COMPLEX CRITICAL ISSUES FACING KENTUCKY AND ITS CITIZENS; THEIR BROADENED CIRCLE OF CONTACTS AND NEW ALLIANCES BUILT ACROSS THE STATE; THEY ARE EDUCATED, PREPARED AND INSPIRED TO RETURN TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES AND ACHIEVE AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN A UNITED EFFORT TO MAKE KENTUCKY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS.
  2. $93,500 spent. ELEVATE KENTUCKY FEATURES APPROXIMATELY 25 MEMBERS (AGES 25 TO 35) EACH YEAR. ELEVATE KENTUCKY'S SELECTED PARTICIPANTS PAY TUITION OF 2,200. ELEVATE KENTUCKY OFFERS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INDEPTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHILE FOSTERING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMONWEALTH. ELEVATE PARTICIPANTS RETURN TO THEIR COMPANIES WITH INCREASED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, PERSPECTIVE, AND A NEW STATEWIDE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK. MILLENNIAL LEADERS ARE BETTER PREPARED TO BE CATALYSTS IN THEIR COMPANIES AND COMMUNITIES IN AN EFFORT TO ELEVATE KENTUCKY.
  3. $186,395 spent. BRIGHT KENTUCKY IS DESIGNED TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF NEXT GENERATION LEADERS (AVERAGE AGE 21 TO 40 WITH APPROXIMATELY 42 PARTICIPANTS IN THE COHORT) IN THE APPALACHIAN REGION OF KENTUCKY TO INNOVATE, COLLABORATE, AND ADVANCE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BRIGHT KENTUCKY ENGAGES BRIGHT, ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDS FROM ALL SECTORS AND EASTERN KENTUCKY REGIONS TO OFFER NONPARTISAN, ETHICAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING, EXPANDED NETWORKS, AND MENTORS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR RESIDENTS OF THE 54 KENTUCKY COUNTIES OF THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC). BRIGHT IS FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE ARC AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM WHITAKER BANK AND OTHERS.

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 January 1989.

    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.