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Bluegrass Greensource Inc

EIN 61-1395175 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWER THE BLUEGRASS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$701,077
Spending
$664,950
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
27.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
8
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$75,814, executive director

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    6 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 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 (3)
  1. $186,036 spent. SCHOOL AGE EDUCATION: BLUEGRASS GREENSOURCE (BGGS) OFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES. THESE PROGRAMS ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING ABOUT THEIR ENVIRONMENT. THROUGH OUR SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS, EDUCATORS VISIT CLASSES TO FACILITATE STANDARDS-BASED CLASSROOM AND OUTDOOR LESSONS FOCUSED ON WATER QUALITY, ENERGY, WASTE REDUCTION/RECYCLING, PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND MORE! THROUGH REPEATED (3-5) LESSONS WITH BGGS EDUCATORS, STUDENTS DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND TAKE ACTION. LESSONS ARE STEM-BASED, YET THEY FEATURE MANY CONNECTIONS WITH LITERACY, ART, AND OTHER DISCIPLINES. LESSONS ALIGN WITH STATE AND NATIONAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS, MOST NOTABLY THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS (NGSS). BGGS EDUCATORS SELECT AND PLAN LESSONS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANTS. ADDITIONALLY, BGGS EDUCATORS FACILITATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, SUCH AS LIBRARY PROGRAMS, SCHOOL SCIENCE NIGHTS, AND FESTIVALS. AT THESE EVENTS, EDUCATORS ENGAGE CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $299,730 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: BGGS OFFERS OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY TO IMPROVE RESIDENTS' CONNECTION TO OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND HOW SMALL BEHAVIOR CHANGES CAN LEAD TO BIG, POSITIVE CHANGES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ENERGY EFFICIENCY WORKSHOPS, RAIN BARREL WORKSHOPS, OUR GREEN NEIGHBOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND BUSINESS EDUCATION
  3. $126,002 spent. EVENTS: BGGS HOSTS MULTIPLE EVENTS TO ENGAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS IN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT. EXAMPLES OF THESE EVENTS INCLUDE MAIN STREET CLEAN SWEEP, A 20 COMMUNITY LITTER CLEANUP DURING EARTH WEEK THAT ENGAGES CLOSE TO 1,000 VOLUNTEERS, THE SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT THAT SHOWCASES SUCCESS STORIES FROM BEYOND CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND EMPOWERS LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CREATE CHANGE, GREENFEST, A GREEN LIVING FESTIVAL WITH WORKSHOPS AND LOCAL VENDORS AND THE GREEN BUSINESS INNOVATION FORUM WHICH HIGHLIGHTS BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP REGIONAL BUSINESSES UNDERSTAND HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT WHILE SAVING MONEY

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 October 2001.

    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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