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Asian Business Association Foundation

EIN 33-0916011 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO STRENGTHEN UNDERSERVED ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION

Income
$877,306
Spending
$892,148
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
1
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$200,000, president & ceo

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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 156% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $556,905 spent. THE ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION (ABAF) ENTERED INTO A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO NOT TO EXCEED $1 MILLION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONVOY DISTRICT GATEWAY SIGN PROJECT LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO. ABAF STAFF AND CONSULTANTS ARE TO PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND OUTREACH COORDINATION, DESIGN SERVICES, PROJECT PLANS, PERMITTING, AND INSTALLATION OF THE GATEWAY SIGN. FOR THE YEAR 12/31/2024 ABAF RECEIVED GRANT REVENUE OF $556,906 IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROJECT.
  2. $150,068 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH FOR NO-COST ADVISING AND CONSULTING SERVICES TO ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS.
  3. $132,534 spent. ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER ECONOMIC EQUITY PROGRAM PROVIDES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OUTREACH AND CAPACITY BUILDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THAT IS CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, TAILORED, AND IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.
  4. $33,000 spent. ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER IN SAN DIEGO (API) SURVEY CONDUCTED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF CURRENT ISSUES OF THE API COMMUNITY.
  5. $10,000 spent. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO FURTHER DEVELOP CURRENT AND FUTURE BUSINESSLEADERS IN THE API COMMUNITY.

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 May 2002.

    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.