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Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota Inc

EIN 41-1721381 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY IN MINNESOTA; TO PRESERVE TIBETAN CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL & RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS; & TO PRESERVE & PROMOTE THE VALUES OF THE UNIQUE TIBETAN CULTURAL HERITAGE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA.

Income
$535,540
Spending
$548,788
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
15.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
35
Volunteers
125

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

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 December 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 (5)
  1. $135,923 spent. EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL OUTREACH: The organization sponsors programs about the history & culture of Tibet. Examples include dance & music programs, film festivals, lectures & forums. The organization also has a lending library of books & videos.
  2. $94,749 spent. TIBETAN CULTURAL CENTER: The center is a place where Tibetans can preserve their traditional values & cultural heritage.
  3. $90,778 spent. TIBETAN CULTURAL SCHOOL: The Tibetan Cultural School opened in July of 1997. A staff of Tibetans teaches children how to read & write the Tibetan language as well as lessons in history & culture. There were 192 attendees/enrollees during 2025.
  4. $77,025 spent. TIBETAN TRADITIONAL DANCE & MUSIC GROUPS: Children's & adult's dance groups practice & perform the dances of Tibet. A group of youths is also learning to play traditional instruments. Their performances are a highlight of Tibetan celebrations. The dance group has also performed at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the St Paul Winter Carnival, many schools & colleges, & other venues. There were 7 performances during 2025.
  5. $63,528 spent. SOCIAL SERVICES REFERRALS: The organization refers Tibetans who require special services to the appropriate community agencies. Tibetan & non-Tibetan volunteers help families & individuals as they work through the challenges of adapting to a new culture. There were 150 families referred during 2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 1992.

    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 November 4, 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.