Kunzang Gatshal Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE KUNZANG GATSHAL FOUNDATION IS A TRADITIONAL TIBETAN BUDDHIST CHURCH. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE CONTINUATION OF TRADITIONAL FORMS OF WORSHIP PRACTICED IN BUDDHISM IN GENERAL.
- Income
- $245,311
- Spending
- $362,205
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 28.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 4
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 73% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% 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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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)
- $218,116 spent. the purpose of the kungzang gatshal foundation shall be to support the teaching and practice of, and to promote an expanded awareness of, the dudjom tersar lineage of the nyingma sect of tibetan buddhism. the foundation shall be dedicated to providing a peaceful and expansive retreat, a physical and spiritual environment, and a sanctuary in which teachers and students can engage in contemplative practice and reflective meditation. the class of persons and institutions which shall be the primary beneficiaries of the foundation shall be those teachers and practitioners of, or those who aspire to, teach or practice the lessons of the dudjom tersar lineage.
- $67,071 spent. The White Lotus School was established by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche in 1997 to provide an education to select students in the Dudjom Tersar traditions of the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma sect. The School follows specific training and instructions that preserve the traditions of this lineage in the study of Buddhism in general, emphasizing the study of the Tibetan language, the Buddhist religion, and the traditions of Buddhist musical instrumentation, dance, training in the rituals of spiritual practices, philosophy, and extensive scriptural study, as well as providing a general Western education in the English language in accord with New York State guidelines. All students also learn how to speak, read, and write in Chinese. There is an emphasis on expressive writing, grammar, and translation. The school currently has seventeen students in residence.
- $29,956 spent. THROMA RETREAT - 7 DAY RETREAT WHICH IS BASED ON THE THROMA NGONDRO PRACTICE OF DUDJOM LINGAPA.
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 January 2011.
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.