Northern Kentucky Legal Aid Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass pursues justice and transforms lives through free, high-quality civil legal services for low-income and vulnerable people.
- Income
- $7.4 million
- Spending
- $6.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 90%
- Employees
- 74
- Volunteers
- 26
- Highest pay
- $194,819, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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)
- $5.7 million spent. We provide civil legal assistance at no charge to low-income families with children, the elderly, veterans and people needing access to healthcare. The people we serve often live with the risk of losing something be it their home, job, health, safety or independence. We target people living in violence, people with an impediment to family stabilization, those who cannot find stable employment and families at risk for homelessness. Through the legal system, we can preserve the home, protect assets, stop the violence, remove employment barriers, and support families towards the goal of achieving maximum independence and safety. Last year we reached over 46,818 people, advocated for nearly 10,289 and provided legal representation to 22,373. Private attorneys donated $822,000 in services to our clients. LEGAL AID OF THE BLUEGRASS (LABG) LABG completed a legal needs assessment in 2021 which found that the elderly and veterans are among the most vulnerable populations we serve. The assessment also found that family law continues to be one of the most highly ranked legal issues, including domestic/interpersonal violence protection orders. LABG Focused Reach 2025: LABG reached 46,818 of its target population through direct services or outreach. Our outreach advocacy efforts positively impacted 10,289 people. LABG legal staff & advocates provided direct legal representation and advice affecting 22,373 people. 10,289 families were provided direct legal services, affecting 14,032 adults and 8,341 children. LABG Clients: 47% are working poor 55% of working age families have children in the household 34% are poor elderly Of the above clients, LABG: - provided legal help to 497 veterans - promoted safety for 3,695 domestic violence survivors, including 2,008 children - stabilized housing for 433 families, affecting 1,010 people. TYPES OF LEGAL ISSUES ADDRESSED: - 24.79% Expungements - 17.31% Medicare and Medicaid Assistance/Other Health - 16.92% Housing - 12.00% Domestic Violence - 11.20% Family - 6.24% Consumer - 5.00% Life Planning Documents - 4.32% Public Benefits - 0.74% Employment - 0.37% Juvenile - 1.11% Other / Multiple Topics
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.