Pema Chodron Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Support and encouragement of Buddhist monasticism and the Buddhist tradition world-wide, and to manifest the Buddhist vision by providing support and assistance to community-based organizations that serve marginalized populations such as distressed families (especially children and teens), abused individuals, the incarcerated, and drug addicts. In addition, to create and support a permanent Endowment Fund so that it can carry on these activities into the distant future.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 38.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 44%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $40,800, foundation mgr.
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 38.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $861,225 spent. Various Other Programs - (see Schedules I and F). In North America and South Asia grants to 42 additional organizations and 8 retreatants: support for monasteries, monastics, and meditation centers, including scholarships for education; support health programs; support youth rehabilitation & training; provide books on meditation to prisoners and the underserved; support translation and archiving of Buddhist masters' teachings.
- $394,323 spent. Drala Mountain Center is located on 600 acres in a mountain valley in Northern Colorado which has hosted Buddhist and other contemplative retreats snce 1971. In 2024 the Foundation granted $300,000 to help pay down a distressed loan for the center, subsidized scholarships for a youth retreat, and donated to its operating funds.
- $293,086 spent. Gampo Abbey is a Buddhist monastery founded in 1983 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Grant funds will supplement the Abbey's income to support operations and individual monastics in the pursuit of their spiritual studies and meditation practice. The Abbey provides annual financial reports. One of the Foundation's Board members visits the Abbey annually to confirm progress.
- $210,086 spent. Mangala Shri Bhuti is a Buddhist meditation retreat center located in Crestone, Colorado which provides retreat space and facilities for Buddhist practitioners to meet, receive teachings, and participate in religious ceremonies. Mangala Shri Bhuti provides regular reports on its activities, and during the year the facilities are visited by a Board member.
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
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.