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1882 Project Foundation

EIN 46-1144885 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE 1882 FOUNDATION PROMOTES PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CHINESE EXCLUSION LAWS AND BROADENS PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAWS, THEIR HISTORY, AND RELEVANCE TODAY. WE PROMOTE AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT PRESERVE AND INTERPRET THE HISTORY OF CHINESE CONTRIBUTIONS IN FORMING AND ENRICHING AMERICA.

Income
$707,974
Spending
$568,166
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
2
Volunteers
26

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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 (10)
  1. $313,809 spent. THE SACRAMENTO EXPANSION PROJECT IS A 3-YEAR PROJECT FUNDED BY THE MELLON FOUNDATION TO EXPAND THE SUMMIT TUNNEL CAMP HERITAGE TOUR PROGRAM BY ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE IN SACRAMENTO CHINATOWN WHILE STRENGTHENING OPERATIONS IN THE DC CHINATOWN HEADQUARTER OFFICE. THIS PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PROGRAM MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSES. A NEW OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN SACRAMENTO JULY 1, 2025 WITH AN OFFICE LAUNCH EVENT ON AUGUST 8, 2025 WITH THE UNVEILING OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK PLAQUE FOR SUMMIT TUNNEL CAMP. A MINI-TOUR TO SUMMIT TUNNEL CAMP WAS PROVIDED ON AUGUST 9, 2025. OVER 200 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THE TWO-DAY EVENT.
  2. $64,406 spent. THE TALK STORY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE THE 1882 FOUNDATION'S FLAGSHIP PROGRAM. OUR TEAM ORGANIZES AND PRESENTS EDUCATIONAL LECTURES OF DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TOPICS. IN FY2025, WE EXPANDED THE TALK STORY PROGRAM TO INCLUDE HANDS-ON LEARNING WORKSHOPS AND A PODCAST PROGRAM CALLED THE "POD-LUCK CLUB." IN FY2025, AVERAGE IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WAS ABOUT 25 - 30 INDIVIDUALS FOR REGULAR MONTHLY EVENTS; 75 - 200 FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND CONFERENCES; AND 5-30 PARTICIPANTS VIA ZOOM.
  3. $47,843 spent. PROJECTS INCLUDE INSTALLING AN ADA LIFT IN THE DC CHINATOWN OFFICE AND A MURAL INITIATIVE.
  4. $25,128 spent. THE CHINESE AMERICAN WOMEN IN HISTORY (CAWH) PROGRAM INCLUDES INITIATIVES FOR DOCUMENTING THE HISTORY OF CHINESE AMERICAN WOMEN, INCLUDING LECTURE SERIES AND THE BI-ANNUAL CAWH CONFERENCE.
  5. $14,652 spent. THE RURAL CHINATOWN AND HIDDEN SITES CONFERENCE INCLUDES INITIATIVES FOR DOCUMENTING CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE US AND CANADA THAT WERE IN RURAL AREAS. SOME OF THESE SITES ARE NOW ABANDONED OR ARE NO LONGER ACTIVE CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. THIS BI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE ENCOURAGES THE SHARING OF FAMILY STORIES (ORAL HISTORY) AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH.
  6. $11,910 spent. THE 1882 FOUNDATION HAS A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT COMPLEMENT THE HERITAGE TOUR PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE VISITATION TO NATIONAL PARKS IN CALIFORNIA.
  7. $9,934 spent. THE 1882 FOUNDATION PLANS AND ORGANIZES HERITAGE TOURS TO THE SUMMIT TUNNEL CAMP AND OTHER AREAS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY OF CHINESE AMERICAN HISTORY. HERITAGE TOURS CAN BE DAY TRIPS OR MULTI-DAY TRIPS THAT MAY INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS, LODGING, MEALS, PROGRAM MATERIALS, ENTRANCE FEES, ETC.
  8. $8,497 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM INCLUDES CURRICULUM DESIGN, LESSON PLANNING, AND TEACHING RESOURCES FOR K-12.
  9. $1,775 spent. KENNEDY CENTER CULTURAL CAUCUS IS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WITH THE KENNEDY CENTER'S SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM TO PLAN, COORDINATE, AND EXECUTE CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER REACH AND MILLENNIUM STAGE, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENT.
  10. $1,064 spent. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS OFFERED YEAR ROUND AND INCLUDES A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON PROGRAM (UCDC) FOR INTERN PLACEMENT. STUDENTS FROM OTHER COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE ALSO SELECTED AS INTERNS.

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 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 September 2013.

    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.