Appalachian Research & Defense Fund of Ky Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote equal access to justice, to encourage self-sufficiency, to empower and to improve the lives of low income and other vulnerable people and families in eastern and south central Kentucky by providing them high quality legal assistance.
- Income
- $6.2 million
- Spending
- $6.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 9.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 92%
- Employees
- 68
- Volunteers
- 48
- Highest pay
- $184,570, 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 2516 of 16 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)
- $5.5 million spent. During 2025, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of KY, Inc. (AppalReD Legal Aid) handled 5,336 cases for low income and other vulnerable people and families. AppalReD Legal Aid primarily serves low-income individuals and families, with focused attention on vulnerable populations including older adults, survivors of domestic violence, individuals with disabilities, veterans, natural disaster survivors. and households facing housing or income instability. Nearly 240,000 people in our 37-county service area are below 125% of the federal poverty level, qualifying for our services. AppalReD's funding model is intentionally diversified to mitigate risk and support long-term sustainability. Total revenue is typically comprised of: -Government grants and contracts, which are primarily restricted to designated legal service programs and require compliance with specific regulatory and reporting requirements -Grants from private foundations and corporate partners, which may be restricted or unrestricted depending on donor stipulations -Contributions from individuals, which are generally unrestricted and support both programmatic and administrative activities -Other income, including court-awarded attorney's fees and investment income, which is used to supplement core mission activities. Because a substantial portion of AppalReD's funding is restricted as to use, unrestricted contributions are critical to supporting administrative infrastructure, intake services, and emerging client needs that may not be covered by grant funding. AppalReD is committed to transparency and accountability and undergoes an annual independent audit. Financial statements and additional disclosures are made available in accordance with IRS requirements.
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 September 1974.
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.