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Cumberland Trace Legal Services Inc

EIN 61-0916523 · Bowling Green, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Kentucky Legal Aid is to assist and enable low-income families, elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable individuals in south central Kentucky resolve legal problems that are barriers to self-sufficiency and to provide these individuals an opportunity for an improved quality of life.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
50
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$130,171, 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 25

    15 of 15 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 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 (3)
  1. $4.0 million spent. Legal Assistance Program: to provide free legal services to qualified low income clients in a 35 county service area. Cases range from family/domestic law, elder law, public benefits, consumer law, nursing home issues, and pro bono. Approximately 4762 cases were closed in 2025. Kentucky Legal Aid's (KLA) cases were filed on behalf of low-income, disabled, and elderly individuals who qualify for free legal Assistance defined by Legal Services Corporation and other grantors. Litigation includes family law disputes, consumer actions, including foreclosures and bankruptcies, assistance in domestic violence actions, and public benefit hearings. The general public benefits from KLA's litigation by virtue of making the civil legal system available to those unable to afford private legal counsel. KLA's litigation efforts also help low-income people resolve problems and promotes self-sufficiency. KLA seeks no fees on behalf of the program in any litigation with the limited exception of cases in which the program was appointed by the court and statutory fees are specified. Fees are not solicitated from clients nor accepted from clients.
  2. $289,706 spent. Private Attorney Involvement (PAI): to promote free legal services through pro bono efforts and private attorney involvement. Clients are referred to pro bono or private attorneys who provide free legal services. Approximately 222 cases were closed in 2025.
  3. $407,264 spent. Older American Act: to provide clients 60 years of age or over with free legal services in matters such as consumer/fraud, public benefits, medicare/medicaid, wills, and powers of attorney. Residents of nursing home issues are also handled. Approximately 1128 cases were closed in 2025.

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

  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 December 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 March 1978.

    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.