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Kentucky Cattlemens Foundation Inc

EIN 61-1237825 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN BUILT ON THE LEGACY OF KENTUCKY BEEF PRODUCERS WHO VALUE HARD WORK, LEADERSHIP, AND EDUCATION. IT HONORS THAT LEGACY WHILE ENSURING THE STATE HAS THE RESOURCES TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, INNOVATORS, AND ADVOCATES FOR THE BEEF INDUSTRY.

Income
$11.9 million
Spending
$746,941
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • 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 94% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $461,651 spent. THE ORGANIZATION IS PARTNERING WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TO ESTABLISH THE KENTUCKY LIVESTOCK INNOVATION CENTER, WHICH SEEKS TO ADVANCE, COMMUNICATE, AND SUPPORT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AS WELL AS ACT AS A HUB FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY GROUPS THE STATE CONSIDERS VITAL TO KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY. THE CENTER IS CURRENTLY IN THE ARCHITECTURAL PHASE WITH A POTENTIAL GRAND OPENING IN LATE 2027.
  2. $74,782 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EQUIPS PRODUCERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO LEAD THE CATTLE INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE FORWARD. THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS OBJECTIVES ARE TO IMPROVE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PROVIDE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY. PARTICIPANTS IN THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MUST BE KENTUCKY RESIDENTS WHO ARE 22 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER; THEY'RE OFTEN SPONSORED BY THEIR LOCAL STATE AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICE. THE PROGRAM IS HELD OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND CONSISTS OF SIX SESSIONS WITH TOURS AND MEETINGS BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE.
  3. $14,000 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TWO TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS. IN 2025 IT AWARDED FIVE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $9,000- APPLICANTS MUST BE CURRENT YEAR KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WITH PLANS TO MAJOR IN AGRICULTURE AND BE ENROLLED AND ATTENDING AN INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IT ALSO AWARDED TWO VETERINARY SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $5,000- APPLICANTS MUST BE THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR KENTUCKY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE WITH INTENTIONS TO WORK IN KENTUCKY AND PRACTICE FOOD ANIMAL MEDICINE. THEY MUST ALSO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
  4. $14,844 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS JUNIOR CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR OVER 1,200 SUCH MEMBERS. THE PROGRAMS TEACH RESPONSIBILITY, TEAMWORK, AND PRIDE IN THE BEEF INDUSTRY ARE GAINED FROM HANDS-ON CONTESTS, CAREER EXPLORATION EVENTS, AND LEADERSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH FARMCREDIT MID-AMERICA TO SUPPORT YOUTH WITH STARTING THEIR BEEF OPERATIONS THROUGH THE YOUTH BEEF HEIFER INITIATIVE, IN WHICH THREE APPLICANTS RECEIVE $2,000 EACH TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A HEIFER.IT ALSO PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FARM FAMILIES TO HELP THEM RECOVER FROM NATURAL DISASTERS AND UNFORESEEN LOSSES.

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 December 1993.

    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.