Our Finances
Quick Links:
Financial Overview / 2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2018 - 2019 / Donor Record
Financial Overview of CivicLex
CivicLex is a nonprofit
CivicLex is an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Because we are a 501(c)3, we can’t have owners or shareholders, can’t be bought or sold, can’t operate for the benefit of any individual or group, and we must invest all of our resources into our mission. Since we are a tax-exempt charity, we don’t pay income or sales tax and are heavily restricted from lobbying. Lastly, the tax returns we submit to the IRS are available for public review. Any violation of these rules jeopardizes our 501(c)3 status.
How are we funded & where money goes
Revenue
Like a business or government, we have revenue (money coming in) and expenses (money going out). CivicLex’s revenue comes from grants, donations and membership and fee-for-service activities like consulting. While a substantial amount of our revenue is donated to us, we have strict policies in place to restrict those donations from influencing our work. You can see a breakdown of where we expect our 2024 revenue to come from below.
Grants - for all of our grants, we typically submit a proposal or application to a grant-making organization or agency. That application competitively judged against other applicants based on criteria set by the foundation. We are awarded about one out of every five or six grant applications we submit. While grants can bring in a significant amount of resources, they are not dependable sources of revenue.
Donations and membership - we actively solicit contributions from people who engage with our work or may be attracted to our mission. Recurring donors and members, whether annual or monthly, help CivicLex plan for the future with our revenue in mind.
Consulting - we solicit clients through our website and networks that are looking for public engagement or local government expertise.
Expenses
Since we are a 501(c)3, we must spend 100% of our revenue in pursuit of our mission, which is to strengthen Lexington’s civic health by building stronger trust and relationships between Lexington residents, their local government, and other civic institutions. We spend our revenue on five categories, which you can see below.
Marketing - we primarily advertise through printed materials and social media.
Development - this includes fundraising software, thank you cards, and more.
Administrative - these expenses include rent, non-program tech expenses, and more.
Programs - we have relatively low program costs, since most of our program costs are actually staff time. Some of our program expenses include compensating other organizations or individuals, printing, technology, and space rental.
Staffing - Most of CivicLex’s expenses are actually just the staff that do the work. This work includes attending and reporting on city meetings, planning and hosting workshops, research, writing surveys, communications, designing and implementing programs, working with community members and organizations, raising money, and staff management. The average salary at CivicLex is $43,200 and we provide full benefits for our staff.
Change over time
In our six years of budgeted operations, CivicLex’s revenue and expenses have both grown significantly. Our first year’s budget was around $20,000. Our budget for 2024 is around $550,000. This growth has been fueled by successful grant applications, an increasing donor base, and new earned revenue activities. You can see a graph of our budget change over time below.
Annual Financial Transparency
We believe strongly in transparency - it is a central governing principle of our organization! In that spirit, below, you will find financial documentation for CivicLex’s work, including a list of our grants, donors, members, fee for service clients, annual reports, and tax filings. You will also find a record of all donors that have ever given to CivicLex. We are not legally required to provide any of this, but think that it is essential to building trust in our work.
2023 Finances
2023 Grants
Grants of $20,000 or more
Blue Grass Community Foundation, Greater Clark Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Institute for Nonprofit News, Local Independent Online News Publishers, Murry Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Rapoport Foundation, Trust for Public Land
Grants of $5000 - $20,000
Citizen University, LexArts, New Venture Fund, Seek Common Ground
2023 Members & Donors
Please see our Membership page for up-to-date member and donor listings for 2023
2023 Clients (earned revenue)
Gresham Smith, Kentucky Nonprofit Network, Element Design, TSW
2023 Revenue
$403,759.21
2023 Expenses
$380,148.62
2022 Finances
2022 Revenue
$327,971.32
2022 Expenses
$310,087.71
2022 Grants
Grants of $20,000 or more
Blue Grass Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, The Murry Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Seek Common Ground, Trust for Public Land
Grants of $5,000 - $20,000
Jedra Cheritable Foundation, AARP Kentucky
2022 Donors
$500 - 1,000
Adkins Family Foundation, Alex Brooks, Allison Lankford, Alysa Villeli, Andrea James, Anne Chestnut, Ben and Becca Self, Blake Hall, Carl Leonard, Carolyn Bratt, Carol Hustedde, Devon Pohl, Eileen Burk, Herman and Elizabeth Playforth, Holly Hughes, Jane Jensen, John Pohl, Jordan Parker, Joshua Douglas, Julia Young, Kathy Plomin, Kim Green, Leah Gayle Bourne, Lisa Satin, Liz Sheehan, Marilyn Robie, Mark Davis, Mathew Ruberg, Matthew W. Wilson, Michelle Young, Network for Good, Richard Young, Ricki Rosenberg, Ronald Vissing, Rowena Mahloch, Susan Scollay, Theodore Schatzki
2022 Clients (earned revenue)
Gresham Smith, Element Design, Kentucky Nonprofit Network
2022 Sponsorships (earned revenue)
AARP, Fayette Alliance Foundation, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, PNC Bank, Traditional Bank
2021 Finances
2021 Revenue
$344,499.29
2021 Expenses
$189,285.06
2021 Grants
Grants of $20,000 or more
Blue Grass Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, The Murry Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Greater Clark Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, The Alpenglow Foundation, Facebook Journalism Project
Grants of $1,000 - $20,000
Jedra Cheritable Foundation
2021 Sponsorships
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
2020 Finances
2020 Revenue
$118,977.21
2020 Expenses
$95,465.96
2020 Grants
Grants of $20,000 or more
Blue Grass Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Grants of $1,000 - $20,000
Alpenglow Foundation, Collexion Fund
2018 - 2019
In 2017, we were not required to file a 990-EZ due to annual revenue of under $50,000.
Donor Record
Below, you will find all past donors to CivicLex.
Over $5,000
Dan & Wendy Roland ($10,000+), Graham Pohl & Jane Fields ($10,000+), Nancy Barron ($5,000+), Joshua Douglas ($1,000 - $5,000), Melody Flowers ($1,000 - $5,000), Debra Hensley ($1,000 - $5,000), Jennifer Lai-Peterson ($1,000 - $5,000), Hannah LeGris ($1,000 - $5,000), Meredith Kellner ($1,000 - $5,000), Austin Mehr ($1,000 - $5,000), Christine & Michael Huskisson ($1,000 - $5,000), Scott Shapiro ($1,000 - $5,000), Arthur Shechet ($1,000 - $5,000), Roberta Newman ($1,000 - $5,000)
$500 - 1,000
Adkins Family Foundation, Alex Brooks, Allison Lankford, Alysa Villeli, Andrea James, Anne Chestnut, Ben and Becca Self, Blake Hall, Carl Leonard, Carolyn Bratt, Carol Hustedde, Devon Pohl, Eileen Burk, Herman and Elizabeth Playforth, Holly Hughes, Jane Jensen, John Pohl, Jordan Parker, Joshua Douglas, Julia Young, Kathy Plomin, Kim Green, Leah Gayle Bourne, Lisa Satin, Liz Sheehan, Marilyn Robie, Mark Davis, Mathew Ruberg, Matthew W. Wilson, Michelle Young, Network for Good, Richard Young, Ricki Rosenberg, Ronald Vissing, Rowena Mahloch, Susan Scollay, Theodore Schatzki
Under $500
A Cup of Common Wealth Foundation, Aaron Ammerman, Aaron Viles, Abigail Fletcher, Arin Arnold, Abbey Richards, Abbie Loynachan, Adam Klier, Adam Knecht, Adkins Family Foundation, Adrielle Stapleton, Agatha Critchfield, Aidan Hennen, Aimee Niles, Aja Bettencourt-McCarthy, Alan Bartley, Alan Stein, Alana Schreiber, Alberto Rondon, Alex Dixon, Alex Smallwood, Alexis Corsaut, Alicia Larmour, Alison Kerr, Allison Crawford, Allison Helton, Allison Kaiser, Allison Lankford, Alma Kajtazovic, Alysa Villelli, Amanda Penticuff, Amelia Groetsch, Amelia Sweetall, Amy Pemberton, Amy Sohner, Andrea James, Andrea Quigley, Andria Jackson, Ann Bishop, Ann Garrity, Anna Whitlow, Anne Bowersox, Anne Chestnut, Anne Donworth, Anne Ledford, Anthony Elson, Ash Hanson, Ashleigh M Dunsmoor, Ashleigh McGuire, Ashley Hanson, Ashley Lawrence Simpson, Ashley Nepp, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Austin Mehr, Austin Tucker, Autumn Goderwis, Autumn Midyett, Beate Popkin, Beau Revlett, Ben Carter, Ben Haydon, Beth Hall, Beth Jones, Bilal Shalash, Blake Hall, Blake Vogt, Brady Barlow, Brenda Mannino, Brendan Holly, Brian and Joy Dineen Charitable Fund, Brian Dineen, Brittany Morgan, Brittany Roethemeier, Brooke Raby, Bryan Hains, Carey Tichenor, Carla Blanton, Carla Braun, Carlie Hager, Carly Muetterties, Carmen Sinnott, Carol Hustedde, Carole Johnston, Caroline Watts, Carolyn and John Looff, Carolyn Bratt, Case Clay, Catherine Clement, Catherine Perkins, Catherine Savage, Chance Commodore, Charles Howard, Chesney Turner, Chris Woolery, Christian Motley, Christine Smith, Christopher Ciarcia, Christopher Cooper, Christopher Porter, Christopher Snyder, Chuck Ellinger, Claire Carpenter, Clayton Brown, Clayton Hable, Clive Pohl, Colette Crown, Colin Goggin, Colleen Steele, Cory Curl, Council of State Governments, Courtney Daniel, Craig Bencz, Craig Cammack, Crystal Gregory, Dan Kahl, Dan Moriarty, Dan Wu, Daniel Benitez, Daniel Weddington, Danielle Clore, Danielle Goulding, Dannii Cormney, Dave Cooper, David Cooper, David Elbon, David Hayse, David Lowe, David Miller, David Peterson, Dawn Hughes, Dean Henricksen, Dean Langdon, Deborah Alexander, Deborah Gerth, Deborah Slone, Debra Hensley, Denise Wells, Dennis Carrigan, Derek Wingfield, Dexter Horne, Devin Henry, Diane Peterson, Dina Kilmkina, Dmitry Strakovsky, Doelan Anderson, Dominic Pealer, Don White, Donald Mason, Donald Salzman, Donna Booth-Dillon, Donna Hall, Douglas Baldwin, Drew Shackleford, DS Neal, EE MF, Eileen Burk, Elena Ferrero, Eli Meiners, Eli Uttal-Veroff, Elizabeth Lewis, Elizabeth Myers, Elizabeth Schein, Elizabeth W Jones, Elizabeth York, Elizabeth Young, Ellen McGeeney, Ellen Roberts, Emily Coomes, Emily Nugent, Emma Anderson, Eric Orr, Eric Shelton, Erik Schwartz, Erin Hathaway, Erin Hensely, Ernesto Scorsone, Fern Mamberg, Finkel Goldstein Family Fund, Ford and Allison Lankford Family Foundation, Forest Kelley, Fran Taylor, Gail Swanson, Garrett Salzman, Gary Hansen, George Argo, George Ward, Georgia Henkel, Grace Goulson, Greg Abernathy, Gregory Butler, Griffin VanMeter, Hailey Salyers, Halee Cunningham, Hallie Kircher-Henning, Hannah Conover, Haviland Argo, Hayley Alfaro, Heath and Allison Price, Heather Ayer, Heather Hyden, Heather Lyons, Herman and Elizabeth Playforth, Hoda Shalash, Hollingshead Family Charitable Giving Fund, Holly Ellingson, Holly Hughes, Ian Epperson, Ian Hafley, Ira Langdon, Ivy Brashear, J.J. Housley, Jacqueline Gregoire, James Doyle, James Drahovzal, James Earley, James Guthrie, James Howard, James K Hager, James Southard, Jane Fergus, Jane Shropshire, Jane Williams, Janette Neumann, Janice James, Jared Marcotte Jason Scroggin, Jay Ingle, Jean Sabharwal, Jeff Fugate, Jen Algire, Jennifer Jackson, Jennifer Lai-Peterson, Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Reynolds, Jeremiah Myers, Jerry Davis, Jesse Brasher, Jesse Cleary-Budge, Jessica Hollis, Jessica M Breen, Jessica Mohler, Jo Davis, Jo Wang, Joanna Rodes, Joe Rosenberg, John Buckman, John Davis, John Hackworth, John Looff, John Molla, John O'Shea, John Pohl, Jon Housley, Jonathan Blanton, Jonathan Coleman, Jonathan Jolibois, Jonathan Pezzi, Jonathan Shapiro, Jonathan Wright, Jordan Lloyd, Jordan Parker, Jos O'Shea, Joseph Manning, Joshua Douglass, Joshua England, Joshua Jennings, Joy Andrade, Joy Girgis, Julia Young, Julian Alfaro, Julie Young, Justin Balcor, Justin Carrus, Justin Kirchner, Kaelyn Query, Kaitlyn Hill, Kakie Urch, Karen Playforth, Karen Terrell, Karissa Porter, Karyn Hinkle, Kate Savage, Katelynn Ralston, Katherine Anderson, Katherine Carner, Katherine Redmond, Kathryn Cardarelli, Kathy Loeb, Kathy Plomin, Katie Velasco, Katie Whitt, Katie Wright, Kelly Gramata, Kelly Hieronymus, Kelly Taylor, Kenneth Cooke, Kenneth Gish, Kevin Wente, Kim Green, Kit Anderson, Kremena Todorova, Kris Nonn, Krisia Rosa, Kristen Tidwell, Kristina Trujillo, Kristofer Nonn, Kurt Bachelder, Kurt Gohde, Kurt Kessler, Kylie Russ, Laney Taylor, Laura Holt, Laurent Vesely, Lea Davis, Lea Schultz, Leah Gayle Bourne, Lexington Art League, Linda Richardson, Linda Trapp, Lisa Adkins, Lisa Gumm-Gray, Lisa Satin, Lisa Summers Cleveland, Lisa Varner, Liz Brown Evans, Lois Gillespie, Loren Wood, Loretto Lovejoy, Lori Ann, Lori Houlihan, Louis Johnson, Lucas Moss, Lucy Jones, Lucy Points, Luke Martel, Luke Moe, M Theresa Bautista, Maddie Patrick, Madonna Turner, MAfraT, Marcie Polonsky, Marcie Timmerman, Margie Karp, Margueritte Williams, Mariah Bradshaw, Marilyn Robie, Marisa Aull, Marissa Webb, Mark Davis, Mark Eblen, Mark Richard, Mark Royse, Mark Swanson, Mark Wurth, Marlon Hurst, Martin Rivers, Mary A Truitt, Mary Arthur, Mary Cobb, Mary Davis, Mary Elizabeth Lowe, Mary Graetz, Mary Hoskins, Mary Hughes, Mathew Ruberg, Matilda Bode, Matt Varney, Matthew Brotherton, Matthew Clarke, Matthew Cunningham, Matthew Gidcomb, Matthew Steele, Matthew W. Wilson, Maury Sparrow, Megan Gulla, Meghan Talley, Melinda Antonchak, Melissa Hockenberry, Melissa Wallace, Meredith Kellner, Meredith Price, Meredith Wadlington, Merritt Fowler, Mia Cinelli, Michael Childress, Michael Covert, Michael Isaac, Michael McKay, Michael Smith, Michelle Hollingshead, Michelle Sizemore, Michelle Young, Mills White, Mizari Suarez, Mollie Harris, Monica Conrad, Muffy Stuart, Nancy Barnett, Naomi Clewett, Natalie Cunningham, Natalie O’Hara, Natasha Collier, Nathan Dickerson, Nicholas Covault, Nicole Breazeale, Nikita Perumal, Noa Gimelli, Noel Osborn, Nolan Phillips, Noora Shalash, Nora Mendizabal, Olivia Davis, Olivia Thomas, Ondine Quinn, Pace Cooke Emmons, Paige Smith, Patrice Heber, Patricia Burke, Patricia Henricksen, Patricia Wente, Patricia Whitlow, Paul Brown, Paul Jeffries, Paul Natof, Paul Reischmann, Paula Sevigny, Pet Wants, Philip George, Philis Alvic, PRP Architects, Quin Welch, Quinn Mulholland, Raaziq El-Amin, Rachel Belin, Rachel Engh, Rachel Norton, Rachel Shelton, Ralph Werk, Raphael Finkel, Raymond Isenhour, Rebecca Mullins Hanchett, Rebecca O’Shea, Rebecca Self, Rebecca Werk, Rebecca White, Rebekah Brown, Remy Olson, Rena Wiseman, Reva Russell English, Rhonda Zimmerman, Ricardo Melara, Richard Coles, Richard Schein, Richard Shore, Richard Young, Rick Young, Ricki Rosenberg, Rita Anderson, Robert Babbage, Robert Edwards, Robert Kahne, Robert Willmott, Roberta Burnes, Robin Emmons, Roger Dalton, Rona Roberts, Ronald Gulla, Ronald Hustedde, Ronald Vissing, Rory Harris, Ross Boggess, Rowena Mahloch, Roy Harrison, Ryan Hughes, Ryan Koch, Sally Hamilton, Sally Warfield, Salvador Sanchez, Sam Bowersox, Samantha Morrill, Sara Trapp, Sarah F Nikirk, Sarah Heller, Sarah Jefferson, Sarah Thrall, Sarah Van Vooren, Sarah Yarmuth, Savannah Barrett, Scarteen Stud, Scott Shapiro, Sean Gladding, Sellus Wilder, Seth Salomon, Shane Tedder, Shannon Means, Sharon Murphy, Sharon Rabinoff, Shayla Dionne Lynch, Sien Li, Sienna Hooper, Spencer Greenhalgh, Stanford and Elisabeth Harvey, Stephanie Wooten, Stephen Grossman, Steve Kay, Steven Hood, Steven Jay, Suraya Shalash, Susan Hill, Susan Isaacs Krauss, Susan O'Brien, Susan Roberts, Susan Scollay, Suzanne Scheff, Tanya Torp, Tanzi Meritt, Tanzi Merritt, Tara Bowen, Taryn Henning, Taylor Sterry, Teddi Hibberd, Thelma Bergman, Theodore Martin, Theodore Schatzki, Theresa Maynard, Thomas Bowne, Thomas Neill, Tiana Thé, Tiffany McNabb, Tim Buckingham, Tim Feld, Tim Guthrie, Tim McCullough, Tom Eblen, Tom Martin, Tom Vaughan, Toni Reiss, Traci Brewer, Tresine Logsdon, Turner Hawkins, UnderMain, Valerie Friedmann & Tim Sundell, Vanessa Grossl, Vicki Stevens, Victor Palomino, Victor Smith, Virginia Daley, W Thomas Eblen, Wallis Miller, Walt Gaffield, Wendi Keene, Wendy and Fred Hansen, Whitney Hahn, Will Anderson, Will Glasscock, William Alverson, William Bartley, William Benjamin Allen, William Fortune, William Jones, William Schein, Yajaira West, Zachary Bray, Zachary Skubiz, and Zeff Maloney