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Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc

EIN 61-6053466 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1967, BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE BLUEGRASS REGION BY INCREASING CHARITABLE GIVING AND LEADING ON CRITICAL COMMUNITY ISSUES.

Income
$64.3 million
Spending
$34.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
18
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$295,972, president/ceo

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 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 (2)
  1. $27.3 million spent. GRANTMAKING THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MADE OVER 3,000 GRANTS THIS FISCAL YEAR IMPACTING MORE THAN 1,000 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND OVER 120 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. ALL GRANTS WERE MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CURRENTLY ADMINISTERS MORE THAN 800 CHARITABLE FUNDS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR DONORS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $3.8 million spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LEADS AND CONVENES ON KEY COMMUNITY ISSUES AND PROJECTS. WE PARTNER WITH NATIONAL FUNDERS, STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS TO MAKE OUR REGION THE MOST GENEROUS, VIBRANT AND ENGAGED PLACE IT CAN BE. EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDE "LEXINGTON BLACK PROSPERITY INITIATIVE", "GOODGIVING CHALLENGE AND "BGCF 365". TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND OTHER LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.BGCF.ORG/ENGAGE.

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 October 13, 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 January 1968.

    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 October 21, 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.