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Won Institute of Graduate Studies

EIN 23-3102135 · Warminster, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WON INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY GRADUATE-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF SPIRITUALITY AND THE HEALING ARTS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY. THE PROGRAMS OFFERED ARE GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS LEADING TO MASTER OF WON BUDDHIST STUDIES, DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE, MASTER OF ACUPUNCTURE STUDIES, CERTIFICATE IN CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE, AND CERTIFICATE OF WON BUDDHIST STUDIES.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
-2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
85
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$104,415, president

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE WON INSTITUTE IS A SPECIALIZED GRADUATE SCHOOL FOCUSING ON THE PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STUDENTS. IT OFFERS GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN WON BUDDHIST STUDIES, DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE, ACUPUNCTURE STUDIES, CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE, AND CERTIFICATE OF WON BUDDHIST STUDIES. IT OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDIES AND PROVIDES HEALTH AND MEDITATION SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ACUPUNCTURE CLINICS, SUCH AS IT'S VETERANS CLINIC AND ON-SITE MEDITATION. IT IS REGIONALLY ACCREDITED THROUGH MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMATICALLY ACCREDITED THROUGH THE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.