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Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Inc

EIN 84-4979582 · Berea, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL KENTUCKIANS THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ON IMPORTANT POLICY ISSUES FACING THE COMMONWEALTH.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$122,161, executive di

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 (3)
  1. $301,874 spent. KYPOLICY PROMOTES SOUND AND EQUITABLE BUDGET, TAX AND FISCAL POLICIES THAT RESULT IN ADEQUATE INVESTMENT, A FAIR TAX SYSTEM AND ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT PUBLIC SPENDING. WE ARE REGULARLY CITED BY MAJOR NEWS SOURCES FOR OUR TIMELY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF FISCAL ISSUES, AND LEAD THE KENTUCKY TOGETHER COALITION AND OTHER CAMPAIGNS FOR AN IMPROVED STATE BUDGET. KYPOLICY'S BUDGET AND TAX WORK SEEKS TO BUILD THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND ALLEVIATE POVERTY AND INEQUALITY.
  2. $389,090 spent. KYPOLICY ADVANCES POLICIES THAT IMPROVE ECONOMIC SECURITY INCLUDING THROUGH ACCESS TO NUTRITION, HEALTH CARE, INCOME SUPPORTS, LABOR STANDARDS AND A SAFETY NET. WE PRODUCE TIMELY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF KEY ECONOMIC SECURITY ISSUES, PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHOICES THAT ALLEVIATE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. KYPOLICY PARTNERS CLOSELY WITH A RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THROUGH THE THRIVEKY COALITION AND THE KENTUCKY FOOD ACTION NETWORK.
  3. $218,639 spent. KYPOLICY PROMOTES POLICIES THAT CREATE A FAIR JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDING BY REDUCING MASS INCARCERATION AND ITS RESULTING ECONOMIC AND RACIAL INEQUITIES. WE TRACK AND ANALYZE CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY CHOICES AND WORK WITH PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY AND ADVANCE REFORMS. KYPOLICY IS A MEMBER OF KENTUCKY SMART ON CRIME, A DIVERSE COALITION SEEKING IMPROVEMENTS TO KENTUCKY'S JUSTICE SYSTEM.

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 September 2020.

    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.

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