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Sakya Tsechen Association Inc

EIN 46-4079608 · Woodside, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceWeak44 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote Tibetan Buddhist religion, education, language and culture.

Income
$130,580
Spending
$118,408
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
426

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

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 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 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 July 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 (4)
  1. $45,645 spent. Buddhists Teachings & Prayers Services Members of this Association are first generation Tibetan immigrants and are mostly Buddhists traditionally. Teachings and seminars are organized throughout the year to provide continuous buddhist learning. The teachings are given by monks of the Sakya Order, which is one of the four major Tibetan Buddhist Traditions that dated back in 1073AD, and are supervised by Sakya Trizin the present head of the Sakya Order. The Association also provide various religious services on request. These religious ceremonies are deeply ingrained in the Tibetan tradition. The observances are conducted by, and in conjunction with, Tsechen Kunchab Ling, the affiliate main monastery in Walden, NY, Palden Sakya Center and Vikramasila Foundation in New York City. These seminars and religious ceremonies were attended by about 4000 people during the year and open free to the public. There are about 450 volunteers who help to carry the functions of these events.
  2. $29,302 spent. Language and Cultural Program The need to preserve the Tibetan language and culture is of imminent importance for second generation immigrants. Hence these classes are offered for the purpose of preserving the culture and languages. These classes are provided online on a daily basis with about 273 students. Classes are conducted by 8 teachers and assisted by 3 assistant teachers. There are also monthly classes for traditional Tibetan songs and dances. Special classes are held to train students to perform in various religious ceremonies and festivals throughout the year. These song and dance programs help to preserve Tibetan history and culture. These classes have about 96 participants and are conducted by 10 volunteers. coordination to commemorate major religious events and festivals. Served:44 individuals Teaching Volunteers:8
  3. $33,533 spent. Building Fund The Association purchased a building on April 2024 as its main activity center. It is used for administration, religious ceremonies, buddhist lectures, and to conduct Tibenta language classes. It also serves as a social meeting place for members to exchange various social related information such as jobs, schools, housing, health care etc. Thus it has supplmented most of the functions of the Outreach Fund
  4. $3,257 spent. Outreach Services The board has determined to elimnate this progam next year because of the following reasons: 1) Many memberss next generation were borned & educated in US. The need for translators is eliminated. 2) The building become the social center for meeting and induce them to help each other. This year expense are for refreshment & encourage them to come to the center more often.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on December 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    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 July 2025.

    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 June 2022.

    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.