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Passes our checks

Vietnamese Sangha Congregation in America

EIN 77-0029463 · Morgan Hill, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KIM SON MONASTERY ORDAINS BOTH BUDDHIST MONKS AND NUNS. THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BUDDHIST MONKS IS A 9-YEAR PROGRAM IN WHICH THE MONKS LEARN THE RULES, PRECEPTS AND REGULATIONS FOR MONASTIC LIFE, STUDY THE DHARMA AND SUTRAS, AND PRACTICE THE PROPAGATION OF THE DHARMA, ORGANIZE MEDITATION COURSES AND FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN THE IDEOLOGIES, SCHOOLS, AND SCRIPTURES OF BUDDHISM. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING MONASTERY FACILITIES (I.E. A MEDITATION HALL, HOUSING AND FOOD) TO RESIDENT MONKS AND NUNS, KIM SON MONASTERY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR WORSHIP (I.E. MEDITATION) AT ALL TIMES AND OFFERS THREE (3) ONE MONTH LONG BUDDHIST MEDITATION AND TRAINING SESSIONS IN MARCH, JULY AND DECEMBER FOR NON-RESIDENT MONKS AND NUNS AND LAY PERSONS. KIM SON MONASTERY ALSO HOLDS RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS (I.E. EVENTS) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON BUDDHIST HIGH HOLIDAYS (I.E. BUDDHAS BIRTHDAY, BUDDHIST MOTHERS DAY, AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR) WHICH INCLUDE CHANTING AND PRAYER.

Income
$503,122
Spending
$152,744
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

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: 54 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    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, 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. CONDUCT WORSHIP SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 1984.

    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.