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Kentucky Historical Society Foundation Inc

EIN 61-1204590 · Frankfort, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION EXISTS SOLELY TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (KHS). KHS'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE PUBLIC THROUGH KENTUCKY HISTORY IN ORDER TO CONFRONT THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. SINCE 1836 THE COMMONWEALTH HAS ENTRUSTED KHS TO BE THE KEEPER OF ITS LEGACY. KHS HAS CONTINUED TO RE-IMAGINE THIS COMMITTMENT, DEEPENING IT TO ALSO HELP THE PUBLIC RECOGNIZE HISTORY'S VALUE AND USE IT TO ADDRESS THE ENDURING EDUCATIONAL/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL, AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES FACING US TODAY.

Income
$624,820
Spending
$536,149
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 50%
Employees
2
Volunteers
16

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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. $425,482 spent. THERE IS A STRONG PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KHS AND THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION. OVER THE YEARS, THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS RESULTED IN THE BUILDING OF THE THOMAS D. CLARK CENTER FOR KENTUCKY HISTORY, THE ACQUISITION OF SOME OF KENTUCKY'S MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL TREASURES, THE EXPANSION STATEWIDE OF THE HISTORICAL MARKERS PROGRAM, AND MANY IMPORTANT EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDING THE NATIONALLY AWARD-WINNING HISTORYMOBILE AND HISTORYSMARTS PROGRAMS, AND NATIONAL HISTORY DAY. MORE THAN 4,500 KENTUCKY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE EACH YEAR. IN ANY GIVEN YEAR INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS GIVE TO NEARLY FORTY DIFFERENT KHS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AT KHS. THESE GIFTS HELP MAKE KHS COLLECTIONS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO TEACH KENTUCKY STUDENTS IMPORTANT CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS BY ENGAGING THEM IN THE HISTORICAL PROCESS. THEY ALSO HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE, AND TEACH US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KENTUCKIAN. THERE IS A STRONG PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KHS AND THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION. OVER THE YEARS, THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS RESULTED IN THE BUILDING OF THE THOMAS D. CLARK CENTER FOR KENTUCKY HISTORY, THE ACQUISITION OF SOME OF KENTUCKY'S MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL TREASURES, THE EXPANSION STATEWIDE OF THE HISTORICAL MARKERS PROGRAM, AND MANY IMPORTANT EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDING THE NATIONALLY AWARD-WINNING HISTORYMOBILE AND HISTORYSMARTS PROGRAMS, AND NATIONAL HISTORY DAY. MORE THAN 4,500 KENTUCKY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE EACH YEAR. IN ANY GIVEN YEAR INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS GIVE TO NEARLY FORTY DIFFERENT KHS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AT KHS. THESE GIFTS HELP MAKE KHS COLLECTIONS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO TEACH KENTUCKY STUDENTS IMPORTANT CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS BY ENGAGING THEM IN THE HISTORICAL PROCESS. THEY ALSO HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE, AND TEACH US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A KENTUCKIAN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1991.

    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.

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