John G & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule OThe goal of the Foundation is to nurture and advance endeavors which contribute to the following core values: helping break the cycle of poverty; assisting people to help themselves; developing the Catholic faith; advancing spirituality; nurturing support and love for Catholic institutions; cultivating a passion for learning; fostering respect; encouraging cooperative/collaborative partnerships. See the website www.kenedy.org.
- Income
- $31.8 million
- Spending
- $22.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 59%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $357,406, ceo/officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $17.4 million spent. The Foundation makes all of its charitable donations within the State of Texas. Ten percent of its total charitable grants are made to non-sectarian entities, institutions that are defined as non-religious and not church related. Ninety percent of its total charitable distributions are made to sectarian entities. It is the Foundation's practice that a Catholic sectarian organization should be listed in the Official Catholic Directory. Of these sectarian grants, about seventy percent are made in the South Texas area which includes the Diocese of Brownsville, the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and the Diocese of Laredo. Continued on Schedule O Education has been strongly favored in recent grant giving cycles including tuition assistance for Catholic schools and scholarships for Catholic and public universities. Service organizations and Catholic charities which target health, human services, the indigent, equal opportunity, and service to others are also favored. By continually evoking the Foundation's core values when making grant decisions, the Foundation is able to help countless numbers of people.
- $130,817 spent. The Foundation has established a museum in the historic Kenedy Pasture Company building in the township of Sarita, Texas. Since its opening on October 21, 2003, approximately 18,255 individuals have toured the museum or participated in its programs. Examples of programs may be viewed at www.kenedy.org.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1961.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.