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Union of the Vietnamese Student Assoc Southern California

EIN 33-0133420 · Westminster, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Union of the Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California (UVSA) is a volunteer-based community organization which brings together youths to organize social, cultural, and community events in order to develop the next generation of Vietnamese American leaders. UVSAs annual programs include the Tet Festival, Project LEAD, and our Inter-Collegiate Council events.

Income
$493,490
Spending
$596,571
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 31, 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 (3)
  1. $508,609 spent. The Tet Festival celebrates the Lunar New Year and is UVSA's primary fundraiser. An estimated 50,000 guests attend the festival to show their support to the 300+ unpaid staff, 500+ youth volunteers, and countless community organizations who contribute their time and effort to make the festival successful. At the event, guests can experience the Vietnamese cultural village, an area where a rural or historic village in Vietnam is replaced including structures, exhibits, artwork, and volunteers dressed in cultural attire. Other programs at the event include cultural competitions such as the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant, children's traditional pageant, and talent contest, eating competitions featuring cultural foods, and cultural performances. The event further UVSA's mission to promote culture and also serves as a vehicle to develop 250 young leaders in event coordination. When the event performs well financially, UVSA allocates up to half of the proceeds to the Tet Community Assistance Fund. Through this grant opportunity, other non-profit organizations in Southern California can apply to receive funding to their programs. Since 2002, UVSA has awarded over $1,500,000 in grants to non-profit organizations in Southern California.
  2. $12,719 spent. Project LEAD (Leadership, Education, and Development) encompasses two programs (ACE Mentorship and Workshop Series) and three events (VAHSA Camp, UVSA Camp, and UVSA Summit). These programs and events aim to develop the youth to value mentorship, gain real-world training skills, and network with leaders locally and abroad. Project LEAD impacts over 300 high school and college students a year with either free or heavily subsidized programs and events.
  3. $4,845 spent. The Inter-Collegiate Council (ICC) represents member Vietnamese student organizations across 11 colleges across Southern California. The council coordinates and drives UVSA's mission to build unity collegiate youth by providing social and networking events for both college and high school students. Annual events include Beach Day, College Fair, Formal, Friendship Games, Gala, Sports Day, and more. Member organizations in the council include CSU Northridge, VSA, CSU Long Beach VSA, CSU Fullerton VSA, Cal Poly Pomona VSA, UC San Diego VSA, UC Santa Barbara VSA, UC Irvine VSA, UC Riverside VSA, University of Southern California VSA, San Diego State VSA, and Chapman University VSA

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 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 May 2026.

    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 April 1995.

    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.