Vien an Buddhist Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
VIEN AN BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION IS A CHURCH-AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY ENGAGED IN THE OPERATION OF BUDDHIST TEMPLE. ITS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE RITUAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PRAYER SERVICES, SPIRITUAL CONSULTING AND BUDDHISM EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC.
- Income
- $770,002
- Spending
- $141,250
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- -291.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $6,920, president
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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 43% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 82% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% 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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 7 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
7 of 7Has a 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $35,502 spent. LUNA NEW YEARLUNA NEW YEAR BEGINS ON THE 1ST DAY OF THE 1ST MONTH OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR, AND IS CELEBRATED UNTIL THE 15TH DAY OF THE SAME MONTH. THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES UNTIL APRIL. IT IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION AND REUNION OF FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT ONE ANOTHER, WISHING FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. THE MONASTERY, IN PARTICULAR, USUALLY GREETS UP TO 6 TOUR BUSES OF VISITORS AS THEY PAY RESPECT TO BUDDHA, OFFER PRAYERS TO THEIR DEPARTED RELATIVES, AND TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATION OF NEW YEAR AT THE MONASTERY. THE VEGETARIAN LUNCH OFFERED TO ALL.
- $31,065 spent. LE VU LANVU LAN "ULLAMBANA" IS COMMEMORATED ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 7TH MONTH OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST THROUGH DECEMBER. IT IS A DAY FOR BUDDHIST DISCIPLES TO SHOW RESPECT AND APPRECIATION TO THEIR PARENTS, LIVING AND DEPARTED, MUCH LIKE MOTHER'S DAY AND FATHER'S DAY IN WESTERN CULTURE. IT IS CUSTOMARY TO WEAR A ROSE, WHERE WHITE PAYS RESPECT AND COMMEMORATES ONE'S PARENT(S) THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND RED CELEBRATES THE HEALTH OF THE ONES LIVING. THE VEGETARIAN LUNCH OFFERED TO ALL.
- $22,189 spent. BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAYVESAK IS CONSIDERED THE HOLIEST DAY FOR BUDDHISM AND OCCURS ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE 4TH MONTH OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR. IT CELEBRATES THE BIRTTH, ENLIGHTENMENT, AND ATTAINMENT OF NIRVANA OF THE BUDDHA. BUDDHIST DISCIPLES GATHER AT THE MONASTERY TO PAY RESPECT, AND LISTEN TO DHARMA TEACHING, AS WELL AS ENJOY THE VEGETARIAN CULINARY EXPERIENCE. THE CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES NORMALLY TAKE PLACE IN APRIL THROUGH JULY.
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? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
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 February 2004.
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.