Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Drikung Dharma Surya Inc

EIN 45-4106452 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO PROVIDE TEACHINGS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS GAININ-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF BUDDHISM. TO PROVIDE REGULAR MEDITATION/YOGA/MINDFULNESS CLASSES, PRAYERS, RITUAL CEREMONIES, RETREATS, GROUP SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, INTERFAITH AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Income
$79,365
Spending
$79,779
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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. $19,147 spent. 11TH ANNUAL USA DRIKUNG KAGYU MONLAM - PRAYER FESTIVAL FOR WORLD PEACE, FROM 01/06/2024 TO 06/02/2024 (DURING SPECIAL SAGA DAWA) WITH IN-PERSON and ONLINE ZOOM PARTICIPATION FROM MONASTICS OF RINPOCHEs, KHENPOs, KHENMOs, DRUPONs, LAMAs AND ANIs with SPECIAL ONLINE TEACHINGS BESTOWED BY HIS EMINENCE GARCHEN RINPOCHE: COMMEMORATE THE BIRTH, ENLIGHTENMENT, AND PARINIRVANA OF BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI AS WELL AS THE PARINIRVANA OF LORD JIGTEN SUMGON; PRACTICE AND REJOICE IN THE BLESSINGS OF THE LINEAGE AND ENLIGHTENED BEINGS, AND REFLECT AND INSPIRE ACTIONS THAT ARE CONDUCIVE FOR ALL BEINGS TO LIVE IN HARMONY; PRAY FOR THE LONG LIVES AND CONTINUED ACTIVITIES OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA AND ALL OF THE HOLY GURUS OF ALL TRADITIONS AND LINEAGES; PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE AND WELFARE - STREAM OF BLESSINGS, PRACTICE OF THE BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI; PRAISE OF THE TWELVE DEEDS OF THE BUDDHA; MAITREYAS ASPIRATION; LAMA CHOPA OF JIGTEN SUMGON Lamp; FEAST OFFERING; THIRTY-SEVEN POINT MAALA OFFERING; KING OF ASPIRATIONS: THE PRAYER FOR NOBLE EXCELLENT CONDUCT, DEDICATION FROM THE BODHISATTVAS WAY OF LIFE,SOLKHA PRACTICE -TORMA OFFERING TO THE DHARMA PROTECTORs.

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 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 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 November 2012.

    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.