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Nyingma Association of Mandala Organizations

EIN 45-4728496 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support the vision of Head Lama of the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center TNMC to establish harmony stability among the member orgs. to promote the Nyingma lineage transmission of Dharma teachings and ensure ongoing support for TNMC and other orgs within the Mandala especially through providing administrative support and oversight.

Income
$183,956
Spending
$209,443
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
5
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$4,800, director

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $141,200 spent. Supporting activities of Head Lama Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages. Staff support for Mangalam Press a publisher of academic texts in the field of Buddhist studies; promote and cultivate relationships with academic programs and faculty. Support staff of Nyingma orgs including Head Lama of TNMC dba Dharma College Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages and .Center for Creative Inquiry.
  2. $20,429 spent. Grant to Head Lama of TNMC Odiyan Support Fund. Odiyan is the religious retreat center for the Head Lama of the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center Head Lama of TNMC a 501c3 church.
  3. $28,907 spent. Provide IT services to members including networking and telephone support
  4. $11,693 spent. Supporting activities of the Center for Creative Inquiry including graphis design organizing and teaching classes promotional activity and advertising.
  5. $5,522 spent. Supporting activities of Head Lama of TNMC dba Dharma College which offers classes and retreats to the public centered on the teachings of the Head Lama.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2013.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.