GOLD2024

KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL, INC

Inform. Empower. Protect.

Frankfort, KY   |  www.kyrc.org

Mission

The Kentucky Resources Council is Kentucky's only statewide public-interest environmental law and advocacy organization. Founded in 1984, the Council works to protect Kentucky’s natural resources, fight for environmental health and justice, empower citizens to be effective environmental stewards, and promote policies for healthy communities and a livable climate. We provide our legal services free of charge, because everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, and land free of pollution. The Council work through three programs, the Environmental and Community Defense program, the Center for Environmental Policy, and the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute.

Notes from the nonprofit

Our latest Strategic Plan was approved by board members in 2023. It is available upon request. Please email [email protected] for a copy.

Ruling year info

1982

Executive Director

Ashley D. Wilmes

Main address

PO Box 1070

Frankfort, KY 40602 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Kentucky Rivers Coalition

EIN

31-1042931

NTEE code info

Natural Resource Conservation and Protection (C30)

Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis (C05)

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (C01)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Low and fixed-income individuals, families, and neighborhoods are typically the most vulnerable to environmental injustices and changes to energy policies. Many of their legal needs with respect to environmental health and justice issues go unmet, and legal services organizations typically do not handle environmental matters and only serve the most destitute clients. In addition, those with and without adequate resources to hire an environmental lawyer have a difficult time finding experienced counsel due to the complex nature of environmental law, the lack of practitioners representing citizens and community groups, and the inability for an attorney to recover damages in many cases. In addition, energy and environmental law is often highly technical and complex and most legal services organizations serving the poor do not have the capacity to take these types of cases.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Environmental and Community Defense

The Council's Environmental & Community Defense program provides free legal assistance and representation to those living "downwind, downstream, and downhill" of environmental problems. We represent our clients free of charge to remove the economic barriers that too often obstruct the quest for environmental justice. The Council also works programmatically through litigation and administrative advocacy to improve the quality of life for Kentuckians and to assure that those who pollute our air, land, or water are held to account. In 2022 we provided more than $1.5 million worth of legal aid services across the Commonwealth! We tackled a wide range of environmental and energy issues, including industrial hog pollution, coal ash contamination, gas pipeline impacts, affordable solar, and protection of public lands and wildlife.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Economically disadvantaged people
Children and youth
Ethnic and racial groups

The Council provides comprehensive research and analysis on legislative bills and environmental issues of concern. During each legislative session, we track, testify, and lobby on crucial environment and energy bills. Working within IRS guidelines, we carry the banner in Frankfort and Washington D.C. for clean air, water, and soil, and environmental health and justice for all.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Children and youth
Ethnic and racial groups
Economically disadvantaged people

Change begins with education. Our KELI program seeks to inspire and inform the many Kentuckians ready to make positive environmental change. Each year, we provide free community workshops to give Kentuckians the tools to better protect the places they live and love. Topics have included the history of environmental injustice, how to use data tools to gather information on environmental concerns, and how to advocate for positive change. We are also developing trainings for the next generation of environmental attorneys, to ensure they are equipped with the resources to handle the toughest of environmental cases.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Ethnic and racial groups
Economically disadvantaged people

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL, INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

KENTUCKY RESOURCES COUNCIL, INC

Board of directors
as of 01/19/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Joe Childers

Attorney

Betsy Bennett

Retired Attorney

Joe Childers

Attorney

Arnita Gadson

Louisville Environmental Quality Commission

Sarah Lynn Cunningham

Environmental Engineer

Jim Hays

Retired Biologist

Allison Brotzge-Elder

Corporate Communications

Roy Crawford

Retired Forensic and Mining Engineer

Lauren Heberle

U of L Center of Environmental Policy

Tim Heine

Physician

Hannah Weinstein

Market Researcher

Jane Richards

Account Strategy

Jeanne Marie Hibberd

Director of Corporate and Communcity Support

Abbey Tudor Fletcher

Attorney

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/19/2024
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 01/19/2024

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.