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Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Inc

EIN 48-1219759 · Lawrence, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We believe Kansans, working together, can build a state full of thriving, inclusive, and just communities. We're working for a future where:- All Kansans have the resources they need to support themselves and raise healthy families.- All Kansans can participate fully in the community under equal protection of the law.- All Kansans benefit from a fair and effective judicial system.Kansas Appleseed works with community partners to understand the root causes of problems, support strong grassroots coalitions, and advocate for comprehensive solutions so all Kansans can reach their full potential. In other words: Justice for all.

Income
$743,118
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
14
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$124,466, 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

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $299,901 spent. The juvenile justice reforms Kansas Appleseed championed have resulted in a reduction of over 80% to the number of youth in the state's juvenile justice system. Kansas Appleseed continues to work with formerly incarcerated youth, state agencies, and partner organizations to ensure community-based alternatives to incarceration are implemented. Kansas Appleseed continued advocating for kids and families affected by the state foster care system, working with the Strengthen Families Rebuild Hope coalition and with legislators interested in adding much needed oversight to the failing system. The federal class-action lawsuit filed in November 2018 on behalf of youth in foster care, was settled in early 2021, resulting in safeguards to prevent extreme placement instability and to provide adequate access to mental health resources.
  2. $299,901 spent. Kansas Appleseed reduced hunger in the state by helping to increase participation and access to child nutrition programs, advocating for protecting and expanding SNAP, and engaging more Kansans in grassroots efforts to fight hunger. Kansas Appleseed continued to play an important role in providing information on resources for families during the global pandemic. Kansas Appleseed hosted community forums, webinars, advocacy skill-building trainings, and other events.
  3. $241,581 spent. Kansas Appleseed is working in Southeast Kansas to encourage non-partisan civic participation, providing expertise and training to local activists. These efforts led to a 10% increase in voter turnout in the 2020 election. Over 200 volunteers signed up to participate in Kansas Appleseed's volunteer driven engagement activities in the region.

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 October 13, 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 February 2000.

    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 October 21, 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.