Kanken Connect
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CONNECT WITH THOSE LIVING IN RURAL KENYA THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE GOSPEL. KANKEN EXISTS TO SHARE GOD'S LOVE, ENRICHING COMMUNITIES IN RURAL KENYA BY PROVIDING AN EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS A CULTURE OF READING.
- Income
- $51,311
- Spending
- $57,865
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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)
- $57,865 spent. BOOK PODS-FOUR POD CONTAINER LIBRARIES CONTAINING THOUSANDS OF BOOKS EACH ALONG WITH LEARNING MATERIALS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN FOUR LOCATIONS IN RURAL KENYA BY KANKEN CONNECT. STUDENTS READ WITH THE HELP OF READING COACHES AND ON THEIR OWN. READING COACHES ALSO CONDUCT READING TRAINING AT SCHOOLS LOCAL TO THE BOOK PODS. ANY LOCAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ADDITIONAL READING ACTIVITIES ON WEEKENDS. SNACKS ARE PROVIDED.
- LAND WAS PURCHASED IN 2023 TO BUILD A LIBRARY IN KENYA. THE GOAL OF THE LIBRARY IS TO HAVE AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT ON LITERACY IN THE REGION. KANKEN PAID FOR A BORE HOLE TO BE DUG ON THE LIBRARY LAND IN 2023 AND A GUEST HOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED THERE TOO. CONSTRUCTION ON THE LIBRARY HAS COMMENCED.
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 October 13, 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 July 2019.
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 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.