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Ko-Falen Cultural Center

EIN 42-1761763 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Creating greater respect and understanding between people of different cultures through art and education. Making meaningful connections across cultural divides.

Income
$64,559
Spending
$67,554
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Highest pay
$18,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (6)
  1. $11,080 spent. Entrepreneurial Program in Arts works with tutored students in Lower school and a master class of upper school students and adults. They learn history, meaning and techniques in the ancient Malian art form of bogolanfini. They are trained in the preparation of materials, and the creating of the art form from master artists. They present an exhibition of their works and discuss with journalists, television and prominent community members as well as their families. Their art is also purchased for exhibitions in the U.S. Sales from the exhibition are reinvested in the program. This benefits 180 people in the community.
  2. $7,850 spent. Free tutoring, K-12 for underserved youth in Mali. Teaching reading and writing in French, English, algebra, geometry, physics. Benefits 84 students and their parents.
  3. $7,400 spent. Student Sponsorships program pays tuition and uniform fees in Mali schools for the neediest of our tutored students. Includes filing for birth certificates and registering students in school if necessary. Benefits 45 students annually. Our tutoring Center Headmaster and Supervisor follow up with the schools monthly during school year and annually.
  4. $7,000 spent. Family Food and Well-Being program supplies 50 kilos each of millet and rice to the community's most at-risk families. Also includes some financial assistance to members with chronic medical needs. Benefits 200 people, who are interviewed and assessed annually.
  5. $3,600 spent. Sewing Program for Young women. Teaches young women sewing, patterning skills. Ko-Falen pays 3 teachers that teach week days in exchange for teaching 5 Ko-Falen students for free in their program. This new program is sponsored by Ko-Falen and takes place at the Ko-Falen Cultural Center in Mali. Benefits 3 teachers and 5 students.
  6. $2,100 spent. A Storytelling Program was re-instituted this year. It includes story sharing among parents and their children to encourage the bond and respect within families. It also includes sessions of community members sharing their stories of struggle due to the violence in the North of the country, and families re-locating to our neighborhood. This has helped the community understand, trust and help new families in the community. Benefits 200 members of the community.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 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 August 2008.

    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.