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Kentucky Easter Seal Society Inc

EIN 61-0444712 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KESS DBA EASTER SEALS CARDINAL HILL IS DRIVEN BY A TIRELESS PASSION TO CHAMPION PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ENSURING THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY OR LIFE CHALLENGE, HAS THE ABILITY TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$12.9 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
67.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 53%
Employees
130
Volunteers
46
Highest pay
$161,470, facilities director

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

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 67.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 August 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 (1)
  1. $7.1 million spent. KESS DBA EASTER SEALS CARDINAL HILL'S (KESS) PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN ADULT DAY HEALTH PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES DAILY PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND MEDICAL CARE BY LICENSED NURSING STAFF FOR ADULTS FROM AGE 18 AND UP WITH A VARIETY OF DIAGNOSIS. OUR CLIENTS COULD NOT SAFELY STAY ALONE, AND OUR PROGRAMS ALLOW CAREGIVERS TO PURSUE A CAREER OR CARE FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. SOME OF KESS' ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MIRACLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, A TRIP TO THE MOVIES, GARDENING, OR A SHOPPING TRIP TO PRACTICE MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS, THAT ALLOW THEM TO INTERACT WITH PEERS, LEARN, ENJOY FRIENDSHIPS, AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A DETAILED CONTINUATION OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. KESS' ADAPTIVE RECREATION PROGRAM BRINGS ADAPTIVE KAYAKING, ADAPTIVE SKIING, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, ADAPTIVE GARDENING, SLED HOCKEY, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE A MORE FULFILLING LIFE. OUR STAFF ALSO GO INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO HELP BOTH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND WITHOUT GET A BETTER APPRECIATION FOR THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED POPULATION, AND ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION.CREATIVE BEGINNINGS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROVIDES INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE FOR CHILDREN FROM 6 WEEKS TO KINDERGARTEN. OUR TEACHING METHODS GIVE ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS AND DIFFERENCES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD ENROLLED. WE STRIVE FOR A BLEND OF ROUGHLY 25% CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE DESIRED PERCENTAGE MIRRORS THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT A "NATURAL ENVIRONMENT" FOR LEARNING. THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES TO INCLUSIVE SETTINGS OF CHILDREN WITH OR WITHOUT SPECIAL NEEDS AS THEY LEARN FROM THEIR TYPICAL PEERS. THIS ALSO FOSTERS UNDERSTANDING IN THE TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILD. FURTHERMORE, THIS MODEL IS HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND A TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILD SO THEY ARE ONLY WORKING WITH ONE FACILITY.SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - INCLUDES CAMP CREATIVE, A SUMMER DAY CARE EXTENSION OF THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM TO SERVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; AND HORSEABILITY, A PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE, WHICH OFFERS DAY CARE AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HORSES AND HORSEBACK RIDING FOR CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WITH BOTH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL NEEDS.PEDIATRIC THERAPY - PROVIDING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND SPEECH THERAPY FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES FROM INFANCY THROUGH ADOLESCENCE, THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSES COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD. THE THERAPISTS WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE CHILD'S FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEM, MEDICAL TEAM, EDUCATIONAL TEAM AND OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS AS NEEDED TO ENSURE A WELL-ROUNDED PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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? 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 August 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 1943.

    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.