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Hindman Settlement School Inc

EIN 61-0447248 · Hindman, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAINS, WHILE KEEPING THEM MINDFUL OF THEIR HERITAGE.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
24.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
120
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$126,154, former ex. dir.

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    9 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. DYSLEXIA EDUCATION PROGRAM - HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL PROVIDES EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA AND DYSLEXIC CHARACTERISTICS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, SUMMER TUTORING PROGRAM AND A READING LAB PARTNERSHIP. THE SCHOOL ALSO CONDUCTS STUDENT EVALUATIONS AND PROVIDES TRAINING FOR PARENTS, TEACHER, AND TUTORS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES - HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN DRIVEN BY A DETERMINATION TO OFFER PROGRAMS THAT RESPOND TO THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS INCLUDE FOODWAYS GROW APPALACHIA, PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY RENEWAL PROJECTS AND SUPPORT FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THE SETTLEMENT ALSO OFFERS CONFERENCE AND MEETING FACILITIES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS.
  3. $727,477 spent. CULTURAL PROGRAMS - KEEPING PEOPLE MINDFUL OF THEIR HERITAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A STRONG COMPONENT OF HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL'S PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY. THE SETTLEMENT'S CURRENT EFFORTS TO PRESERVE LOCAL HERITAGE RANGE FROM PROVIDING FOLK ARTS EDUCATION EXTENSION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY TO OPERATING A CRAFTS CONSIGNMENT SHOP. THE SETTLEMENT ALSO HOSTS ANNUAL WORKSHOPS FOCUSING ON APPALACHIAN WRITERS AND FOLK ARTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1948.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.