Western Kentucky Federal Community Defender Inc

What it says it does

Western Kentucky Federal Community Defender, Inc. is the designated Federal Defender Organization for the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3006A(g)(B). The Organization is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is dedicated to providing high quality legal services for indigent persons. Founded in 1995, the Organization is federally funded through an annual grant from the Administrative Offices of the United States Courts. These federal funds are provided solely for the purpose of rendering federal criminal defense services to individuals who are unable to afford counsel and who are under investigation for, or charged with, violations of the laws of the United States.

Income

$3.5 million

Spending

$3.5 million

Spent on programs

86%

Reserves

0 months of spending

Largest source of income

government grants, 100%

Employees

17

Volunteers

12

Highest pay

$237,867, assistant federal defender

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

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

• Reserves

  4 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

• Debt

  2 of 20

  It owes 100% of what it owns.

• Living within its means

  8 of 15

  Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

• Income trend

  10 of 15

  Income fell 8% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

• Independent board

  25 of 25

  12 of 12 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

  0 of 10

  Did not give 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 September 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.

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

Legitimacy checks

1. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

   Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

5. check_circle

   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since October 1995.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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   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.