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Obon Society

EIN 47-1775267 · Astoria, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong94 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE LASTING PEACE BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES BY REUNITING JAPANESE RELATIVES WITH THE BELONGINGS OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WENT MISSING DURING WORLD WAR II THROUGH THE DISCOVERY, IDENTIFICATION, AND RETURN OF JAPANESE WAR FLAGS TO THEIR JAPANESE FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO REUNITING FAMILIES WITH THEIR LOVED ONE'S POSSESSION, OBON SOCIETY ENGAGES IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITES TO ADVANCE PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING.

Income
$95,540
Spending
$81,483
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$26,016, 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% 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 (1)
  1. $81,483 spent. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR INCLUDE:486 WARTIME PERSONAL ITEMS RECEIVED, ANALYZED, AND CATALOGED FOR FAMILY RESEARCH 62 PERSONAL ITEMS SUCCESSFULLY RETURNED TO FAMILIES IN JAPANA FORMAL TRANSFER CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM, WHERE 129 WARTIME PERSONAL POSTCARDS AND LETTERS WERE ENTRUSTED TO OBON SOCIETY.BOARD MEMBER BETHANY GLENN VISITED VFW POST 7824 TO RETRIEVE A FRAMED YOSEGAKI HINOMARU THAT HAD BEEN STORED BEHIND A FILE CABINET FOR YEARS. THE POST CHOSE TO REPATRIATE THE FLAG TO JAPAN.MR TOSHIEI MIZUOCHI, CHAIRMAN OF NIPPON IZOKUKAI, VISITED OBON SOCIETY IN BOTH PORTLAND AND ASTORIA. THESE MEETINGS REAFFIRMED OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO CONTINUED COOPERATION AND MUTUAL SUPPORT.WE JOINED TEN JAPANESE BEREAVED FAMILIES IN PAYING RESPECTS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY FOR THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION IN WASHINGTON DC MARKING THE END OF WORLD WAR II.

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 2018.

    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.