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Fayette County Public Schools Education Foundation

EIN 87-3276712 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Fayette Education Foundation's mission is to support the educational needs of Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) through community collaboration and fundraising.The foundation's goals include promoting equity, fulfilling unmet needs, investing in the community, developing educators, and enhancing the educational experience.The foundation also offers a program that provides free, age-appropriate books to every child from birth to age five each month. The goal of this program is to help children develop language and literacy skills to prepare them for kindergarten.

Income
$929,884
Spending
$972,665
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
1

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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (14)
  1. $351,322 spent. DP-N.America - Through Toyotas Driving Possibilities initiative and additional Foundation support, FEF helps expand STEM learning, career exploration, leadership development, and innovative educational opportunities in targeted FCPS schools.
  2. $205,497 spent. PROP DEV - FEF works with landowners, community partners, and FCPS to support the strategic development of school-related property projects that enhance educational opportunities and benefit students and the broader community.
  3. $107,633 spent. SP - FEF supports special projects that address emerging needs, pilot innovative ideas, and provide flexible funding for unique opportunities that directly benefit FCPS students, schools, and educators.
  4. $80,226 spent. BIG - The Fayette Education Foundations Bright Ideas Grants provide direct funding to Fayette County Public Schools educators for innovative classroom projects, student enrichment opportunities, and resources that go beyond traditional school budgets.
  5. $41,081 spent. DP-KY - Through Toyotas Driving Possibilities initiative and additional Foundation support, FEF helps expand STEM learning, career exploration, leadership development, and innovative educational opportunities in targeted FCPS schools.
  6. $10,608 spent. TOY - FEF proudly supports FCPS Global Awards and Teacher of the Year recognition programs that celebrate outstanding educators, support professionals, and school leaders making an extraordinary impact on students.
  7. $7,503 spent. Other Programs - Unrestricted funds used to support other eductional programs.
  8. $5,006 spent. DPIL - FEF manages the local Dolly Partons Imagination Library program, mailing free, high-quality books each month to young children across Fayette County to build early literacy skills and a love of reading.
  9. $4,632 spent. LIT - Through the Lexington Industrial Trust, FEF helps provide resources and opportunities that strengthen workforce readiness, career and technical education, and student pathways to future employment and economic success.
  10. $3,943 spent. SAP - The Success Academy Project connects private donor support with innovative programming and student-centered opportunities designed to help alternative education students succeed academically, personally, and professionally.
  11. $3,651 spent. STONER TRUST - Through the Stoner Trust, FEF helps support educational opportunities and student-focused initiatives that align with the donors vision for strengthening public education in Fayette County.
  12. $2,658 spent. MCM - The Emmanuel Manny Caulk Jr. Memorial Scholarship honors graduating FCPS students pursuing careers in education and encourages the next generation of passionate teachers and school leaders.
  13. $6 spent. SAEI - FEF invests in school arts programs that expand student access to visual arts, music, theater, dance, and creative learning experiences across Fayette County Public Schools.
  14. TFT - Teachers for Tomorrow supports efforts to inspire, prepare, and encourage FCPS students to pursue careers in education and become future teachers in their own community.

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 November 6, 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 October 2024.

    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 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.