Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LAASHoF's main purpose is to recognize, honor, and celebrate our home-grown sports legends and icons. Lexington has a unique sports history that has been displayed in many ways. However, contributions made by our African-American community have never been fully appreciated as they should. For many, the high school sports teams and legends from the segregated and early post-segregated eras are now vague memories, and for today's sports enthusiasts, totally unfamiliar. Our mission is threefold. One, to identify, celebrate, and award the contributions homegrown African-Americans have made to the rich sports history and culture in Lexington. Two, to award supplemental scholarships to local high school senior scholar-athletes. Three, to ultimately establish a Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame Museum in a permanent location.
- Income
- $104,506
- Spending
- $102,646
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 66%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 51 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $63,412 spent. Hundreds guests attended our third annual hall of fame induction ceremony and black-tie gala, held last September. Local media and adoring fans watched intently as our Hall of Famers were delivered to the event venue via limousine and walked the red carpet to be interviewed. A cocktail hour ensued, as guests mingled with the Hall of Famers and reminisced about their athletic feats in the schoolyards, neighborhood parks, and playing fields in their younger days. The event also included live entertainment, fine dining, vendors, giveaways, and more. Each of our Hall of Famers and team members was awarded with a fitted black blazer emblazoned with our LAASHOF logo, similar to the Hall of Fame blazers awarded by the NFL, NBA, MLB, The Masters, etc. The recipients were jacketed onstage during the formal induction portion of the gala as their bios were read and their pictures were projected on our large screens near the stage. The cheerleaders of the championship teams were honored with silver plates commemorating their role in their teams' stellar accomplishments. In addition to the blazers, each Hall of Famer also received a trophy inscribed with his or her name, sport, the LAASHOF logo, and Hall of Fame Category. The categories for induction are Athlete, Coach, Official/Referee, and Sports Supporter/Contributor. For our deceased Hall of Famers, members of their families represented them onstage and received their trophies or silver plates. LAASHOF blazers were ordered in sizes of the family members who would wear their loved one's blazer. After the gala, we received additional requests for blazers and awards for deceased family members. Those items were purchased and presented to the family members of several of our deceased inductees.
- $7,500 spent. Scholarship Grants - Selected local high school seniors received $2500 each. To be nominated, an athlete must reside in Lexington, have a minimum GPA threshold, a signed letter of intent from any college, two letters of recommendation, answer a questionnaire, and provide an essay on a chosen topic. This year's applicants were interviewed by members of the Scholarship Committee and the Executive Board. The recipients submitted brief videos introducing themselves to show at the Gala Event, since some could not attend due to conflicting university obligations. For those who could not attend in person, commemorative checks were awarded to family members present.
- $5,083 spent. LAASHOF's 2nd annual 5K Fun Run/Walk and Health Fair drew more than 100 run/walkers to Coldstream Park in Lexington last June. Local health and fitness organizations and healthy food vendors set up informational booths to promote resources and strategies for living a healthier, more well-balanced life. Also, a local fitness instructor led the run/walkers in effective warm-up exercises prior to the 5K. The course covered approximately 3 miles of Lexington's well-known Legacy Trail, which winds through some of the city's lush green spaces and former historic horse farms. LAASHOF partnered with a local race timing company which provided the start/finish line, marked off the course, provided real-time race results, and announced the medal winners for each category. Each registrant and race volunteer received a t-shirt, and more than 30 medals were awarded in categories such as gender, age, and overall winners. Water stations and breakfast bars were also provided for participants, volunteers, medical/security personnel, and onlookers.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.