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Kansas Holistic Defenders Incorporated

EIN 86-1799218 · Lawrence, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEFEND KANSANS EFFECTIVELY, ZEALOUSLY, AND RESPECTFULLY. WE WILL USE AN INTERDISCIPLINARY, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CHAMPION OUR CLIENTS' INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$734,825
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
13
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$86,211, executive director

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
  1. $532,607 spent. DOUGLAS COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE - KANSAS HOLISTIC DEFENDERS (KHD) HAS POTENTIAL LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT. EVERY YEAR, KHD IS APPOINTED TO AN AVERAGE OF 460 MISDEMEANOR CASES PER YEAR (423 IN 2022, 502 IN 2023, AND 464 IN 2024). KHD'S CLIENTS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. WE ACHIEVE EXCELLENT OUTCOMES BY TRAINING ATTORNEYS ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR LITIGATION, AND SUPERVISING THEM TO ENSURE THAT EACH AND EVERY CLIENT RECEIVES EFFECTIVE, COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL.
  2. $202,218 spent. CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES - OUR CIVIL ATTORNEYS REPRESENT CLIENTS FACING EVICTION, BEING DENIED BENEFITS, AND IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE ACCESSING IEPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. WE HELP FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AVOID HOMELESSNESS, EVICTION AND HOUSING INSTABILITY THROUGH BOTH BY FULL REPRESENTATION AND BRIEF SERVICE, LEGAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE. OUR CLIENT ADVOCATE AND ATTORNEYS HAVE HELPED CONNECT HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS TO SERVICES, BOTH AS REQUIRED BY THEIR CRIMINAL CASES, BUT ALSO AS PART OF ADDRESSING THE UNDERLING CAUSES OF INVOLVEMENT. OUR CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH WORKS TO MEET OUR CLIENTS GOALS AS OUR CLIENTS DESCRIBE THEM.

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

  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 December 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 February 2023.

    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.