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National China Garden Foundation

EIN 27-4594056 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NATIONAL CHINA GARDEN FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) IS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, DEVELOPMENT, EXECUTION, OPERATION, USAGE, AND PUBLIC APPRECIATION OF A CHINA GARDEN TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM, AND TO SERVE AS AN INDEPENDENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT AND COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

Income
$110,061
Spending
$60,915
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $36,451 spent. IN DECEMBER 2021, THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED NOTICE FROM OFFICIALS AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE (USDA-ARS), WHO INFORMED THE FOUNDATION THAT THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE WORK SUBMITTED BY THE FOUNDATION AND CONCURRED THAT THE GARDEN IS IN A POSITION TO CLAIM BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2021 WITH THE INITIAL DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE WORK COMPLETED. THE FOUNDATION IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PROJECT'S CHINESE PARTNERS TO CONFIRM AFFIRMATION OF THE BLUEPRINTS, DESIGN DRAWINGS, AND ALL THE SUGGESTED DESIGN CHANGES AND MOVE TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2021.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.